MVP Forced to Stop Most Construction

Richmond, VA — The Mountain Valley Pipeline will stop all “new” construction activities following two developments in the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The Fourth Circuit granted a stay of construction during pending litigation on the pipeline crossing the Jefferson National Forest. The Fourth Circuit also issued a stay of the biological opinion and incidental take statement under the Endangered Species Act for MVP. MVP says it will continue to complete certain steam crossings and pipe installations as they evaluate their legal options, including filing emergency appeals to the Supreme Court.

Russell Chisholm, managing director of the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights Coalition (POWHR) responded: 

“The poisonous talons of the MVP tore into our Appalachian mountains less than a week ago and they’ve already been forced to stop. Not only did President Biden and Congress betray us when they fast-tracked this new fossil fuel project, they embarrassed themselves completely and it appears that the court recognizes their overreach. This week marks the beginning of our 10th year fighting this delayed and over budget pipeline. Now it’s time to mark the end.”

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Press Contact: Denali Nalamalapu, (302) 307-6966‬, denali@powhr.org

Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) is an interstate coalition leading the fight to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The coalition includes individuals and groups from counties in Virginia and West Virginia dedicated to protecting water, land, and communities from fossil fuel expansion and environmental injustice. For more information, visit our website: powhr.org.