Doug Jackson, 202.495.3045 or doug.jackson@sierraclub.org
RICHMOND, VA -- Yesterday evening, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced they had approved the Erosion and Sediment, Stormwater, and Karst Plans for the fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline.
In response, Virginia Sierra Club Chapter Director Kate Addleson released the following statement:
"It’s a sad day when Virginians cannot count on their governor and the state agency responsible for environmental protection to prioritize their health and their clean air and water over corporate polluter profits. Rather than acknowledging the fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline’s clear threats to our communities, the Northam administration used an environmental review process rigged to benefit polluting corporations. Unless this decision is reversed in the courts, Virginia residents will be stuck with the economic and health costs of harmful, unnecessary fracked-gas infrastructure.
“Northam still has an opportunity to ensure DEQ takes a harder look at the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which, like the Mountain Valley Pipeline, will bring detrimental impacts to Virginia’s landscape, water resources and economy.
“We are not backing down, though. We will continue to mobilize in the streets and in the courtroom to stop this dirty and dangerous project from ever being built.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.