Update 182 – Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance

Army Corps Suspends Permit for MVP Crossing Some WV Rivers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has informed the corporation building the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MP) that it was partially suspending an important permit allowing the company to build the pipeline through streams in West Virginia. The action took place after Appalachian Mountain Advocates (Appalmad) notified the Corps that MVP had admitted that it could not complete construction of several major stream crossings in the 72 hours required as a special condition for West Virginia as part of Nationwide Permit 12.

ABRA Members Contest ACP’s Claim It Can Proceed with Construction

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC told the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on May 22 that it should be able to proceed with the pipeline project notwithstanding a May 15 Order from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals vacating the biological opinion for the project under provision Endangered Species Act.

One Week Remains to Comment to Virginia DEQ on Stream Crossings

Next Wednesday, May 30, at 5 pm, is the deadline for comments to the Virginia State Water Control Board to provide input on the adequacy of the U.S. Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit 12 in protecting streams and wetlands crossed by the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

FERC Extend Comment Period on Review of Policy for Pipeline Approvals

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has extended the comment period for receiving input from the public on the agency’s review of its policy on certifying natural gas pipelines and related facilities. The parameters of the FERC review and the original comment deadline of June 25 was set forth in an April 25 Federal Register Notice.