Charlie Burd, GO-WV Executive Director 

The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) is critical energy infrastructure that will secure America’s energy and national security, as demand for natural gas continues to rise.

After a decade since the first permitting proposal, the U.S. Congress recently passed the bipartisan debt ceiling agreement that included MVP completion.

  • “It should not take an act of Congress to construct infrastructure in this country that is necessary for energy security and reliability.” – MVP developer Equitrans Midstream CEO Thomas Karam told CNBC.

What is MVP?

The MVP is a natural gas pipeline stretching 303 miles from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia. This pipeline will provide over 2 billion cubic feet per day of transmission capacity across the Mid- and South Atlantic—roughly a third of West Virginia’s natural gas produced—as well as create over 2,500 jobs, generate $50 million in tax revenue and over $175 million in royalties for West Virginians.

In 2015, MVP began planning with a formal application for FERC approval, with FERC issuing a Final Environmental Impact Statement in 2017. During this time, the MVP team worked diligently with stakeholders, community members, and local, state, and federal government to develop the most efficient process to construct this essential energy infrastructure.

  • In 2018, following various modifications and adaptations to ensure less-than-significant environmental impacts from pipeline development, construction began. Since then, various environmental groups have challenged MVP’s approval, causing construction delays and disruptions for property owners along the route.

The Permitting Fight

Approval delays resulted in project costs doubling from roughly $3 billion to $6 billion, threatening Appalachia energy security and creating harm to West Virginia communities.

On June 1, 2023, the U.S. Congress, with support of Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV), Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Rep. Carol Miller (R-WV), secured MVP completion in the bipartisan Fiscal Responsibility Act 2023. This support puts MVP on firm track for late 2023 in-service, enabling West Virginia-produced natural gas to flow to manufacturers, homeowners, and business across the Southeast.

MVP Delivering Benefits to West Virginia

Expanding energy infrastructure is vital in securing American energy and national security. MVP will provide essential energy transmission capacity across Appalachia, as well as support over 2,500 jobs while generating millions in revenue for West Virginians. As global demand for reliable, affordable energy continues to rise, MVP provides crucial support for American natural gas markets.

  • It has been shown that pipeline delivery provides safe transportation and delivery of natural gas, with over 99% of all pipeline deliveries made without injury annually.
  • Appalachia’s natural gas industry is dedicated to providing the safest, reliable energy to communities across the U.S., and the MVP demonstrates the benefit of increased energy infrastructure across the country.

What They’re Saying 

  • “Our Congressional delegation, led by Senator Joe Manchin, with the support of Senator Shelley Moore Capito and Congresswoman Carol Miller, made West Virginians proud, as the passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) is an historic moment for the nation and our state’s economy. This legislation not only preserves America’s financial standing but brings initial permitting reforms and expedites the Mountain Valley Pipeline completion, which has been stuck in a permitting nightmare. We look forward to President Biden’s swift signing of this bill, as supporting the FRA means improving access to clean, affordable and reliable natural gas, while strengthening West Virginia’s economy.” – Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GO-WV) Executive Director Charlie Burd
  • “I am thrilled that Republicans and Democrats came together to complete the Mountain Valley Pipeline and shore up American energy security. West Virginia is truly America’s Energy MVP, and we are proud to continue providing the energy the rest of our nation relies on. This transformational project will create more than 2,500 jobs, generate $50 million in tax revenue and more than $175 million in royalties for West Virginia landowners, and play a significant role in strengthening our domestic energy production which will lower costs for consumers in West Virginia and across the country.” – Senator Joe Machin
  • “After working with Speaker McCarthy and reiterating what completing the Mountain Valley Pipeline would mean for American jobs and domestic energy production, I am thrilled it is included in the debt ceiling package that avoids default. Despite delay after delay, we continued to fight to get this critical natural gas pipeline up and running, and its inclusion in this deal is a significant victory for the future of West Virginia,” –Senator Shelley Moore Capito
  • “After a decade of unnecessary holdups and bureaucratic red tape, the Mountain Valley Pipeline will be completed. The entire West Virginian delegation has fought long and hard to finish the Mountain Valley Pipeline and we are relieved to see commonsense legislation prevail against the radical left’s green policies. Now, domestic energy production will increase and energy prices for Americans will decrease while improving the United States’ national security.” – Representative Carol Miller
  • “Including the Mountain Valley Pipeline in the Debt Limit Deal is a big win for West Virginia. This pipeline is a transformational project in terms of energy security for the United States and will help ensure that our country is fully utilizing our vital natural resources. I want to sincerely thank all who helped make this a key part of the debt limit package.” – West Virginia Chamber President Steve Roberts
  • “As manufacturers we support natural gas as an affordable and reliable source of power for our businesses and our homes. As West Virginians, we welcome an opportunity for our natural gas production industry to achieve greater exposure to markets elsewhere. Completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline will be a win for industry and our state.” – West Virginia Manufacturing Association President Rebecca McPhail