Federal Court Throws Out Key Mountain Valley Pipeline Permit

The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with environmental groups Tuesday and threw out a major federal water crossings permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

Environmental advocates said the move could significantly slow down construction through much of West Virginia and is expected to affect about 160 miles of the pipeline's route in the state.

In an order released just days after the court heard the case Friday, the court vacated the pipeline’s water-crossings permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Huntington District. The district encompasses much of the state, including the southern region, and the order affects major river crossings for the Elk, Gauley, Greenbrier and Meadow rivers.

History in the Courts

The Nationwide Permit 12 allows pipeline developers to disrupt streams, rivers and wetlands during construction, while maintaining water quality standards under the federal Clean Water Act.

Read more: http://www.wvpublic.org/post/federal-court-throws-out-key-mountain-valley-pipeline-permit