FERC issues EIS for Mountain Valley pipeline

The 303 mile pipeline will transport fracked natural gas from West Virginia through Virginia. The project needs FERC’s approval before construction can begin.

In the statement, FERC said: “[The pipeline] would result in limited adverse environmental impacts, with the exception of impacts on forest.”

Opponents to the pipeline, such as landownders and environmentalists, have said that FERC failed to identify and address many important environmental issues with regards to the Mountain Valley pipeline.

Ernie Reed, President of non-profit organisation, Wild Virginia, stated: “FERC’s conclusions that most environmental impacts will be insignificant are not scientifically credible and defy common sense. Some wounds on our forests can never be healed once they are inflicted, including forest fragmentation, loss of valuable core forest areas and loss of watershed integrity.”

Yet, Mountain Valley Spokeswoman, Natalie Cox, said in an email the objection from opponents is unjustified.

Cox noted: “It is unfortunate, although not surprising, that steadfast opponents of the Mountain Valley pipeline project would reflexively dismiss findings that do not align with their view … For almost three years, we have worked with residents and landowners in our Virginia and West Virginia communities to make sure the Mountain Valley pipeline is being designed, and will be constructed, safely and responsibly, and that we are doing so in a way that has minimal impacts on their land and their daily lives. These efforts have produced a thoughtfully designed route and led to the development of comprehensive plans to mitigate any potential impacts to the greatest extent possible.”