WASHINGTON (WV News) — The developers of the Mountain Valley Pipeline are “grateful” for the support of Washington leaders who led to the project being included in the debt ceiling deal, according to a spokesperson.
Assurances for completing the natural gas pipeline project, which has faced numerous setbacks and delays since it was first announced nearly a decade ago, are a central component of the package negotiated by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and the White House over the nation’s borrowing limit.
“We are grateful for the full support of the White House, as well as the strong leadership of Democratic and Republican legislators for recognizing the Mountain Valley Pipeline as a critical energy infrastructure project,” said Natalie Cox, director of communications and corporate affairs for Equitrans Midstream Corporation, in an email to WV News.
“The way it has been written, it prohibits judicial review of permits needed to construct the MVP,” Manchin said. “This prohibition extends to cases that are ongoing in the Fourth Circuit of Appeals, which should be dismissed if this bill passes.”
While most litigation against the project would be prohibited, the legislation would require cases related to the MVP to be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Manchin said.
“The bottom line is — it’s gone through, I don’t how many times — it’s been through the court system eight or nine times,” he said.
The developers thanked Manchin, who has repeatedly backed efforts to aid the completion of the MVP.
“In particular, it was the leadership and unwavering commitment of Chairman Manchin, who first recognized the importance of MVP to our nation’s energy security and spearheaded the development of broad, bipartisan support for the completion of MVP,” Cox said. “We are also appreciative of Speaker McCarthy and Sen. Capito for their steadfast support and efforts to complete this crucial project, and for the strong support of House Reps. Reschenthaler, Miller and Joyce.”
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., voiced support for the project’s inclusion in the package in a statement released Sunday.
“Despite delay after delay, we continued to fight to get this critical natural gas pipeline up and running, and its inclusion in this deal is a significant victory for the future of West Virginia,” Capito said.
Finishing the pipeline will “create more jobs, lower energy costs and protect our environment,” Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va., said.
“This bill is a bipartisan win for every American,” she said.
According to the text of the proposed debt ceiling package, the secretary of the U.S. Army would be required to issue “all permits or verifications necessary” to complete the MVP’s remaining construction and operation and maintenance “not later than 21 days” after the legislation is enacted.
The MVP, which is currently around 94% complete, could be operational by the end of the year, according to Cox.
“We look forward to completing this important infrastructure project by the end of 2023 and flowing domestic natural gas this winter for the benefits of reliability and affordability in the form of lower natural gas prices for consumers,” she said.
