Mountain Valley Pipeline

Mountain Valley Pipeline Update

 

This is a three-part disaster.

First, the laying of the pipe caused monumental damage due to the significant environmental harm, and also due to the disruptive, costly, and stressful impact on the folks in harm’s way. 

Second, filling the pipeline with natural gas greatly compounded the disaster and danger. Learn more about Fracking via the Roanoke Group's Fracking definition page, and the Roanoke Group's posting of the Virginia Chapter's Statement on Fracking.

Third, don't assume this is over. The contracts with property owners giving access to their land include the option of a second pipe in the right-of-way.

Through an act of congress, in late July, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court gave Mountain Valley Pipeline the OK to resume construction activity following a lower court’s orders earlier this month to halt such activity. By removing the lower courts’ ability to review the pending cases against the pipeline, Congress is effectively picking a winner, MVP, and therefore is infringing upon the lower court’s judicial power.
 

There are gains for which people paid an extremely high price

  • We put off natural gas in the pipe for six years.  
  • No pipeline company will think they can push through Appalachia again without facing energetic, costly opposition.

A snapshot of the MVP events in the area, hitting some of the high points

Late 2014 – Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) began environmental surveys, community meetings and scoping meetings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

October, 2015 - MVP filed an application with FERC to construct, own and operate a 303 mile long, 42” pipeline to deliver 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas (methane) per day from northern West Virginia, connecting with the Transcontinental Pipeline (TRANSCO) in Pittsylvania County. It connects with Cove Point, Maryland, an LNG export terminal.

June 23, 2017 - FERC issued the Final Environmental Impact Statement for MVP.

Oct. 13, 2017 - FERC issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, meaning MVP was in the public’s interest, effectively opening the door for development.

Winter, 2018 – Construction began.

  • The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) found numerous violations of sedimentation and erosion control regulations resulting in over $2 million in fines. The price eventually increased to $8.75 billion
  • Pipe coatings designed for protection underground were left exposed for years to UV exposure, causing grave concern with questionable remedial response from MVP.

June 3, 2023 – Disaster struck - Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act which included ordering federal agencies to issue all permits for MVP, allowing it to sidestep any remaining legal challenges. Construction proceeded with energy and haste.

  • Over 200 indications of problems requiring additional analysis found during tests required by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Eventually, according to PHMSA “...problems were corrected” and the green light was given.

May 1, 2024 – A dramatic pipe failure occurred during hydrostatic testing near where Rt. 221 crosses MVP on Bent Mountain. The pipe was repaired, but confidence in the pipeline was further eroded.

June 11, 2024 – FERC gave approval for operations.

June 14, 2024 – MVP began transporting natural gas (methane).

From the beginning, organizations and individuals filed numerous legal challenges with significant success, causing costly delays. Rallies and demonstrations were held. Tree-sits had dramatic effect. People locked themselves to equipment. Opposition was energetic, brave and very impactful.

MVP is a terrible threat to our environment and an expansion of fossil fuels when the transition to renewable energy is our only hope for avoiding the worst effects of rapid climate change. Our numerous actions amplified this grave fact, including:

  • Signage and handouts at Climate Crisis Watch, our monthly public demonstrations at the City Market and our weekly solo outreach there every Saturday.
  • Programs and handouts at Earth Friendly Friday, a public program we managed in coordination with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke that ceased with COVID and to date has not been resumed.
  • Speaking at all events in the area that included public comments.
  • Attending court hearings in support of allies.
  • Distributing about one hundred-fifty yard signs, going door-to-door on busy streets and at Earth Friendly Friday. We also distributed hundreds of bumper stickers and gathered hundreds of petition signatures, primarily through our monthly and weekly outreach on the Market and EFF.
  • Informing people through our Roanoke Group FaceBook page with details about opportunities for engagement. We now have 261 followers.

Updated: 7/23/2024

Mountain Valley Pipeline Statement

Mountain Valley Pipeline would:

  • Increase our dependence on fossil fuels and fracking. Studies estimate the typical fracking “spillage” (release) of methane to be up to 9% of production. Natural gas is 98% methane, a colorless, odorless gas 80 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than CO2.
  • Cross numerous watersheds, rivers, streams, springs, wetlands and riparian areas. Impact the nationally known and highly popular recreational features including the George Washington National Forest, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Great Eastern Trail, and the iconic Appalachian Trail.
  • Pass through numerous areas riddled with karst geology, putting residents at risk for explosions, fires, chemical leaks, and other disasters. The blast radius for a 42-inch pipeline moving gas at 1400 pounds per square inch is1100 feet. Sources of fresh water would be threatened by blasting and ditching
  • Violate property rights. Gas companies may go to federal court and use eminent domain to seize property rights of way that landowners are unwilling to grant.
  • Cause significant losses in property values. The restricted use of land on the easement, along with the tremendous threat of explosion will make habitation less attractive, and properties less marketable.

Piping natural gas through an earthquake zone is very risky. There is no precedent for a 42" pipeline crossing terrain like ours. In Roanoke County, the pipeline runs very close to Spring Hollow Reservoir, a must-have source of freshwater. It then crosses Bottom Creek twice, threatening the integrity of the Bottom Creek Gorge Natural Area Preserve and aquifers providing drinking water to the Roanoke metropolitan area. The pipeline then proceeds southward to cross an extensive array of wetlands.