WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), along with Congressman David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.-01) and Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-W.Va.-03) signed a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging support for the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) and approval of its pending request for a four-year extension.

LETTER EXCERPT: “At a time when energy prices are soaring, it is imperative that FERC works to accelerate the development of domestic energy infrastructure so that Americans may have access to a reliable and affordable supply of natural gas.”

“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. Natural gas produced in the Appalachian Basin is undoubtedly part of that solution.”

“While MVP would not deliver natural gas directly to an export terminal, completion of the pipeline will certainly help to meet increasing domestic demand for natural gas and unlock other supplies of natural gas to send to our allies.”

“MVP is nearly 94% constructed but is still subject to ongoing litigation and permit challenges, to the detriment of American consumers, our national security, communities along the pipeline route, and the environment. This project must be completed.”

“Your approval of this extension request will also provide certainty to communities and landowners along the pipeline’s path that FERC intends for the MVP to be completed.  West Virginians have told us that they want to see the project completed, their properties restored, and the benefits of the project accrue for their communities.”

To read the full letter, click here.

BACKGROUND:

In 2020, the FERC issued a two-year extension on the MVP’s permits, which extends through October 13, 2022. The MVP is located in the Appalachian Basin, which would have been the third-largest natural gas producing nation in the world through the first half of 2021 according to the Energy Information Act (EIA). Once completed, the MVP will be designed to transport 2 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per day over a distance of 304 miles from West Virginia to southern Virginia. 

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