Biden signs legislation to pave way for Mountain Valley Pipeline construction
US President Joe Biden signed legislation that ratifies and approves all necessary permits for the construction and initial operation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) of Equitrans Midstream.
The legislation marks a significant step towards energy security and economic growth in the US.
It also raises the nation’s debt limit and directs federal officials and agencies to maintain the authorizations.
The new law, known as the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, requires the Secretary of the Army to issue all remaining permits or verifications needed to complete the project’s construction and allow for its operation and maintenance by no later than June 24, 2023. Additionally, the legislation divests courts of jurisdiction to review agency actions regarding approvals necessary for Mountain Valley Pipeline construction and initial operation.
Equitrans Midstream, the operator of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, welcomed the approval of the legislation, expressing its intention to collaborate with project partners to finalize the pipeline’s construction by the end of 2023. The estimated total project cost is approximately $6.6 billion.
This legislative milestone acknowledges the efforts of state and federal agencies that have dedicated countless hours to develop comprehensive plans for constructing the pipeline with minimal environmental impact. It also recognizes the manifold benefits the MVP brings, including advancing energy security, facilitating the transition to a lower-carbon economy, and ensuring energy reliability and affordability for American consumers.
The Mountain Valley Pipeline spans approximately 303 miles across West Virginia and Virginia, providing cost-effective access to natural gas for local distribution companies, industrial users, and power generation facilities in the growing demand markets of the mid-Atlantic and southeast regions of the United States.
Equipped with the authority granted by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023, Mountain Valley will continue to collaborate closely with all relevant agencies to secure the few outstanding permits needed for the project’s completion.
The company remains steadfast in its commitment to environmental protection, ensuring responsible construction practices throughout the remaining phases of the project.
Thomas F. Karam — Equitrans Midstream chairman and CEO said: “The MVP project has gone through more environmental review and scrutiny than any natural gas pipeline project in U.S. history, having been issued the same state and federal authorizations two and three times, only to have those authorizations be routinely challenged and vacated in court.
“Congressional involvement to legislate the approval of this project only magnifies the critical need for more robust and comprehensive permitting reform that goes beyond the important initial steps in this legislation. Absent a more certain regulatory review and approval process, we are impeding companies’ ability to invest capital, including in renewable projects, for the benefit of our Nation’s economy, energy security, and energy affordability.”