U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts sent a clear message on Thursday with his ruling that overturned Fourth District Court of Appeals rulings that had stopped the resumption of Mountain Valley Pipeline construction.
The panel of three judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, which has previously rejected permits for the project, unanimously decided to grant the motion to stop construction about two weeks ago, a move that drew the ire of U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin and Shelley Moore Capito, both of whom have led efforts to move the pipeline forward.
Manchin especially was instrumental in a provision of the debt ceiling agreement signed into law that specifically directed federal agencies to expedite any needed MVP approvals while also moving legal jurisdiction to the U.S. Court of Appeals based in Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court’s decision appears to support the law’s intent. And while other legal challenges could occur, Roberts ruling gives hope that the long legal wrangling trying to stop the pipeline are about over.
West Virginia’s congressional delegation praised the court’s decision.
“The Supreme Court has spoken, and this decision to let construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline move forward again is the correct one. I am relieved that the highest court in the land has upheld the law Congress passed and the President signed,” Manchin said.
West Virginia’s senior senator, Manchin has been a driving force behind improving the nation’s energy policy, supporting an “all-of-the-above” approach that is sensible in ensuring there is enough cost-effective power generation to support not only economic growth but national security.
He has had a trusted partner in Sen. Capito, R-W.Va., who also hailed Thursday’s decision.
“All necessary permits have been issued and approved, we passed bipartisan legislation in Congress, the president signed that legislation into law, and now the Supreme Court has spoken: construction on the Mountain Valley Pipeline can finally resume, which is a major win for American energy and American jobs,” Capito said.
The senators had a strong ally in the House in Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.Va.
“All three branches of government agree: the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline is legal and must be finished immediately,” Miller said.
“The American people are tired of politics interfering with domestic energy production in the name of climate change, and I am looking forward to Mountain Valley Pipeline’s swift completion which will lower energy costs and provide jobs across West Virginia.”
We applaud these leaders who support sound energy policy that safeguards today while providing vision for growth in new energy sectors as well such as solar, wind, hydrogen and nuclear.
The Mountain Valley Pipeline is needed now. The people of West Virginia, Virginia and others along the Eastern Seaboard have waited long enough as developers dealt with appeal after appeal.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Roberts’ decision moves the pipeline, which is about 94% complete, one step closer. It is much-needed momentum toward a positive conclusion.