Twenty-four conservation groups, including ABRA, joined by 17 Virginia state legislators, wrote U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warne on April 22 to express strong opposition to a March 10 recommendation by West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin that the Biden Administration invoke the Defense Production Act to complete the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Sen. Mahchin cited the need for domestic and European energy security during a March 10 congressional hearing. The letter (click here for a copy) stated:

“We must not mistake MVP as a ready source of energy or done deal as Senator Manchin insists. MVP is a non-viable solution for current energy concerns, and should be recognized as an environmental catastrophe with no certainty of completion.”

Opposition voiced to invoking Defense Production Act for MVP

ABRA CONSERVATION HUB

ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing access to critical information needed for effective public involvement in environmental review and oversight.

Following the defeat of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 2020, ABRA initiated the Conservation Hub to support informed public engagement with the broader range of environmental issues confronting the Allegheny-Blue Ridge Mountain region. The Conservation Hub builds on the analysis and information sharing capacity achieved through ABRA’s Pipeline CSI project during the years of ACP opposition.

The Conservation Hub is based on the use of GIS mapping to provide details and context for land development projects and management practices that involve risk of environmental harm, as well as for environmental preservation and restoration initiatives. The Conservation Hub also provides access to regulatory documents and assessments related to specific projects or issues.

Multiple Conservation Hub sites, focused on individual projects or issues, have been developed collaboratively with ABRA’s partners and allies. Going forward, we invite conservation groups, individuals, and communities to provide ideas for new Hub sites and GIS mapping that can contribute to informed public engagement on behalf of environmental integrity in the Allegheny-Blue Ridge region.