Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has cited the Mountain Valley Pipeline for violating environmental laws, demanding a fine of $34,000.

Criticism and pressure continue to mount regarding the DEQ’s delay and inaction to hold MVP accountable to environmental law. In February, about 30 groups sent a letter to DEQ asking them to issue a stop work order to MVP. DEQ has not responded to the letter. In March, community members gathered near the regional DEQ office in Salem, Virginia to protest their inadequate response to destruction caused by the MVP.

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

“Every day, diligent construction monitors traverse our streams and steep slopes to ensure our communities are safe from MVP’s reckless construction; they are to thank for this recognition of MVP’s violations. However, DEQ-issued fines amount to pennies for a corporation that’s throwing billions of dollars into an impossible project, with money to spare for SLAPP suits against the community.”

Protestors plan to return to DEQ offices in Richmond and Salem soon.

###