Doug Jackson, 202.495.3045 or doug.jackson@sierraclub.org
Emily Sutton, 573.979.1038 or emily@hawriver.org
GRAHAM, NC-- Today, the Alamance County, NC County Commission unanimously voted to oppose the extension of the controversial fracked gas Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). They are the first elected body to officially oppose the project’s extension into North Carolina.
The MVP has been controversial from the day it was announced. In addition to transporting climate-disrupting fracked gas, the project has been cited in West Virginia and Virginia for repeatedly violating commonsense clean water protections. The MVP is currently planned to run 303 miles through West Virginia and Virginia, but its developers have proposed extending it into North Carolina through Rockingham and Alamance Counties.
In response, Sierra Club Beyond Dirty Fuels Senior Campaign Representative Joan Walker released the following statement:
"Alamance County’s unanimous stand against the proposed MVP extension is the latest evidence that the tide is turning against these dirty, dangerous fracked gas pipelines. People across the country realize these projects threaten our air, water, climate, and communities, and they don’t want to shoulder all the risks while corporate polluters reap the rewards. We applaud the Alamance County Commission for standing up for their constituents’ clean water.”
Haw Riverkeeper, Emily Sutton said:
“The Haw River has experienced enough environmental degradation from industries that exploit the health of the river and the communities that depend on it. This proposed fracked gas pipeline is not needed for economic growth in this county or the state. We are thankful the Alamance County Commissioners understand how vital the river is to the community and how MVP LLC aims to make high profits for investors at the expense of our environment and communities. We hope the Governor and our state agencies follow suit.”
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.
About the Haw River Assembly
The Haw River Assembly works to promote environmental education, conservation and pollution prevention; to speak as a voice for the river in the public arena, and to put into people's’ hands the tools and the knowledge they need to be effective guardians of the river. The Haw River Assembly is dedicated to the goal of environmental justice and equality for all people in our watershed.