December 13, 2018

Richmond, VA — At their general business meeting today, the State Water Control Board passed a motion 4-3 to initiate the formal hearing process to consider revoking the 401 Certification of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The motion was made by new Board member James Lofton in response to extensive public comment regarding the ongoing damage being done by the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s construction through Southwest Virginia.

Other Board members voting in favor of Lofton’s motion were new member Paula Jasinski, Nissa Dean, and Robert Wayland. During discussion, Tim Hayes acknowledged concerns about the issues seen thus far, but did not vote in favor of initiating the formal hearing process.

Roberta Bondurant, POWHR Coalition Co-Chair

“We are encouraged that the Board is taking the necessary steps to stop the destruction we’ve experienced in our region resulting from this project. The construction imposed on landowners and communities since the federal court granted early entry has been nothing short of devastating, and the Board is finally acting on the evidence we’ve shown them.

“The newest members of the Board were engaged with the public right out of the gate, and we applaud the Board for their persistent inquiry and for supporting the safety and welfare of the public. This decision is a leap in the direction of better protecting the water resources so vital to Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth.”

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