CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Members of West Virginia’s congressional delegation are urging the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to support the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
The letter — led by Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., and signed by Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., as well as Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va. — also asks the commission to approve a request for a four-year extension related to the project.
“The United States is a world-leader in natural gas production, and as the conflict in Ukraine continues, the United States should use every tool at its disposal to make up for the shortfall in the global natural gas supply for our allies and trading partners,” the legislator said. “Natural gas produced in the Appalachian Basin is undoubtedly part of that solution.”
The 304-mile pipeline would transport natural gas from West Virginia to southern Virginia. According to the lawmakers, around 94% of the project is completed, and the pipeline could be operational by the second half of next year.
“While MVP has now requested a four-year extension, the developers have demonstrated their determination to complete the pipeline as soon as practicable to help bring needed natural gas to market soon, should FERC approve the extension request and other necessary approvals be re-issued,” they said.
The pipeline would be capable of transporting 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day once completed.