Published: January 26, 2022 |

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit on Tuesday invalidated federal approvals for Equitrans Midstream Corp’s $6.2 billion Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline under construction from West Virginia to Virginia.

The court decision was the latest setback for the pipeline, which was already years behind schedule and billions over budget.

Specifically, the court vacated the record of decisions of the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management allowing the pipe to cross about 3.5-miles (5.6-kilometers) through the Jefferson National Forest, and sent the case back to the agencies.

In an email, Equitrans said “We are thoroughly reviewing the court’s decision regarding (Mountain Valley’s) crossing permit for the Jefferson National Forest and will be expeditiously evaluating the project’s next steps and timing considerations.”

In the past, Equitrans has said it expected the project to enter service during the summer of 2022.

Analysts at ClearView Energy Partners said the loss of the permit likely means “completion of the pipeline this calendar year now looks unlikely.”

Mountain Valley is one of several U.S. pipelines delayed by regulatory and legal fights with environmental and local groups that found problems with federal permits issued during President Donald Trump’s administration.

When Mountain Valley construction started in February 2018, Equitrans estimated the 303-mile (488-km), 2.0-billion-cubic-feet-per-day (bcfd) project would cost about $3.5 billion and enter service by late 2018.

Equitrans, which has a roughly 47.8 percent ownership interest in Mountain Valley and will operate the pipe, said it has funded about $2.4 billion of the project as of Sept. 30.

The Mountain Valley venture is owned by units of Equitrans, NextEra Energy, Consolidated Edison, AltaGas Ltd., and RGC Resources.

Source: Reuters

About Mountain Valley Pipeline
The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) is a proposed underground, interstate natural gas pipeline system that spans approximately 303 miles from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. Subject to approval and regulatory oversight by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the MVP will be constructed and owned by Mountain Valley Pipeline — a joint venture of Equitrans Midstream Corporation; NextEra Capital Holdings; Con Edison Transmission; WGL Sustainable Energy; and RGC Midstream. The MVP was designed to transport clean-burning natural gas from the prolific Marcellus and Utica shale regions to the growing demand markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast areas of the United States. Equitrans Midstream, primary interest owner, will operate the pipeline. From planning and development to construction and in-service operations — MVP is dedicated to the safety of its communities, employees, and contractors, and to the preservation and protection of the environment.

To stop by Mountain Valley Pipeline’s website, CLICK HERE

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