The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC as it’s known, held an environmental scoping meeting for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) on Tuesday, May 12, at Jackson’s Mill in Lewis County. The vast majority of those who spoke said they don’t want to see the pipeline built.
Harrison County landowner Autumn Long said she’s concerned about several aspects of the project, including potential environmental damage. But she also spoke against the idea that the project might supply West Virginian homes and businesses with gas, as she says has been suggested in a report the pipeline company filed about the project.
“MVP officials and FERC officials have repeatedly said that the size and pressure of this pipeline would preclude it from feeding into local transmission lines. So it’s misleading to insinuate that this gas will be available for local consumption,” Long said.
Fifteen people spoke during the meeting. Greg Hefner was the only one who offered support for the pipeline. He spoke on behalf of FirstEnergy and the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation.
“Construction of this project will support thousands of jobs and significant economic activity throughout the region, it will generate a significant amount of tax revenue for local governments to support local schools, roads and other important priorities,” Hefner said.
Gas company EQT and its partners are in the planning phase of the 300 mile, 42-inch diameter natural gas transmission line. The Mountain Valley Pipeline’s proposed route would begin in Wetzel County in West Virginia and end in Pittsylvania County, in Virginia.
FERC must first approve the company’s application to build the pipeline. Tuesday’s meeting was designed to gather information about the potential environmental impacts of the project.
FERC is still accepting written comments.
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
Copyright 2015 West Virginia Public Broadcasting
