Washington, D.C. — In a report to the federal government, Equitrans Midstream announced a revised Southgate Extension project plan of 31 miles as opposed to the original 72 miles. This plan would mean it will not have to apply for a permit for an additional compressor station, which was denied by the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board in 2021. Equitrans reports that this new plan will require fewer water crossings and no new compressor station, and acknowledges that construction delays on the mainline project have impacted this new plan. The report suggests that MVP Southgate may apply for new funds to complete construction of the extension. The new plan is not yet final.

Denali Nalamalapu, Communications Director of the Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights Coalition (POWHR) responded: 

“Despite receiving a free pass from the federal government, the MVP continues to crumble before our eyes. For nearly ten years, communities along the route have declared this project impossible and deadly. Now, after meeting with its clients, we see further admission from MVP that they can’t follow through with the foolhardy plan they set out with.

“This news is a hard-won movement victory: fewer people will be harmed now that the Southgate extension plan has been halved. The MVP has always known it poses a horrific danger to the communities along the route – but their bottom line takes priority. With this new plan, the company admits that fewer waterways will be harmed and a compressor station will be avoided, gesturing towards the devastating water pollution, air pollution, and health impacts it will and has caused. This news is a win for the movement that will be celebrated by emboldened resistance in the new year.”

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