It has been two-months since Dominion Energy Transportation, Inc. (DETI), the managing partner of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project, requested of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) an extension of one year to complete abandonment and restoration of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project and a two-year extension to construct and place the now-cancelled Supply Header Project (SHP) into service while DETI evaluates options for the potential use of some or all of it.
Comments Due Friday, September 11 on MVP Extension Request
Comments on the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s request for a two-year extension of its certificate to construct the pipeline, which is due to expire October 13, are due to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) by 5 pm on Friday, September 11.
Fish and Wildlife Service Issues New Biological Opinion for MVP
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued September 4 a new Biological Opinion (BiOp) and Incidental Take Statement (ITC) for the Mountain Valley Pipeline. An earlier BiOp and ITC had been subject to legal challenges in 2019. The process of writing a new BiOp and ITC has been proceeding for an extended period.
Comments Filed Opposing Endangered Species Act Modification
Sixty-Four conservation organizations, including ABRA and several of its members, filed comments on September 3 with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service in response to a proposal by the two agencies to define “habitat” in the regulations governing the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
Trump Administration Lists MVP Southgate as a Priority Project
An internal Trump Administration memo of July 15, obtain last week by the Center for Biological Diversity, identifies over 50 infrastructure projects that have been designated priorities to finish in accordance with the President’s Executive Order 13927 to accelerate the nation’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
FERC Now Has a Bare Quorum to Function
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) membership has been reduced to three, the minimum number required for votes to take place. Commissioner Bernard McNamee’s last day was September 4. His term ended June 30 but he agreed to stay on for an additional two months.
MVP Asks FERC for Two More Years to Construct Pipeline
The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) has asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for an extension of time of “an additional two years, or until October 13, 2022, to complete construction of the Project and place the Project facilities into service.” FERC issued on August 27 an official notice of a comment period for the public to have input on the MVP request,
“Reimagine Appalachia” Seeks a New Economy and Environment for Region
In recent months, a new coalition has been created that seeks to find common ground and build “a 21st century economy that’s good for workers, communities, and the environment” in Appalachia, particularly that part of the broader region that encompasses the Ohio River Valley in West Virginia,
A new ABRA program: The Conservation Hub
The Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance (ABRA) is pleased to announce an exciting new program: The Conservation Hub. ABRA’s Conservation Hub program promotes responsible resource management by providing data-focused tools that enhance a project’s transparency, strengthen its accountability to regulatory agencies and facilitate public participation in its evaluation process.
Natural Gas CEO Admits to Excess Pipeline Capacity from Marcellus Basin
There is excess pipeline capacity for natural gas produced from the Marcellus shale field and
the gap of excess capacity over gas produced is expected to grow, according to Toby Rice, CEO of
EQT Corporation, the largest shale gas producer in the United States and a potential major shipper
of gas for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP).