The controversial Appalachian fossil fuel line on its way to construction.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has moved the proposed Mountain Valley pipeline forward to the next step of its federal approval process. The Department of the Interior agency issued a Record of Decision for the pipeline, allowing the project to begin filing for necessary permits for its continued construction.
The Mountain Valley pipeline, set to be constructed through the Appalachian mountains, is a key legislative focus of Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. He has been advocating for the pipeline to receive the permits it needs to proceed, but in April the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals rescinded a key permit after it found the project violated its former construction permit 139 times over two years. It also violated 46 water quality standards.
Environmentalists and local groups oppose the Mountain Valley pipeline’s construction and have filed lawsuits against the project in the past. While this approval from President Biden’s administration signals the federal government’s support for the pipeline’s construction, additional lawsuits are likely to be filed.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Administrator Tracy Stone-Manning as she heads the Bureau of Land Management.
- For Secretary Haaland to seek God’s direction as she leads the Interior Department.
- For Senator Manchin as he advocates for the pipeline construction in his state.
Sources: Reuters, Bloomberg Law
