Federal Agency Seeks Input on Environmental Impact of Mountain Valley Pipeline Project

West Virginians can have a say about the environmental impact of the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline at four public meetings.

EQT and its partners want to build a 42-inch diameter, 330-mile pipeline from Wetzel County in West Virginia to Pittsylvania, Virginia.

The company says the goal is to link the Marcellus and Utica shale fields to markets in the Southeast.

The meetings are part of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s review process for the proposed project. If approved, the Mountain Valley Pipeline would require a 125-foot construction easement and a 75-foot permanent right of way.

Four meetings are scheduled for West Virginia:

• Monday, May 4, at James Monroe High School in Lindside.
• Monday, May 11, at the Robert C. Byrd Center in Pine Grove.
• Tuesday, May 12, at Jackson’s Mill outside Weston.
• Wednesday, May 13, at Nicholas County High School in Summersville.

All the meetings will start at 7 p.m., with sign-in beginning at 6 p.m for those who wish to speak.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will take written comments until June 16.

Commission spokeswoman Tamara Young-Allen says verbal and written comments are given the same weight.

Forest Service OKs Survey

In news related to the project, the U.S. Forest Service recently gave its approval for the pipeline company to survey a section of the Jefferson National Forest in Monroe County. The survey permit doesn’t necessarily mean construction of the pipeline will be allowed, the Forest Service said in a statement.

Submitting Comments

The Mountain Valley’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission docket number is PF15-3. To submit comments about the Mountain Valley Pipeline:

• Go to https://ferconline.ferc.gov/ and click on “e-Comment.”
• Mail hand-written or typed comments to:
  Ms. Kimberly Bose, Secretary
  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
  888 First Street NE, Room 1A
  Washington, D.C. 20426