Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA, 8th District) has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant a rehearing for both the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) and the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) made a similar request on January 5.
In his February 26 letter to FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre, Cong. Beyer cited as a major reason for requesting a rehearing on the ACP and MVP the absence of two new Commissioners from the vote (Chairman McIntyre and Commissioner Richard Glick had not yet been seated when FERC voted 2-1 on October 13 to approve both pipelines). Noting the strong dissent from Commissioner LeFleur, Cong. Beyer observed that a “partial decision of this magnitude may not accurately reflect the position of FERC, and thus the Commission should allow for rehearings to ensure that the ruling fairly reflects the entire Commission.” The Congressman’s letter also noted that “the effects on water resources and fish and other aquatic species are still somewhat unknown” and that “all information be given special consideration.”