A new lawsuit filed today challenges West Virginia’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) approval of a key water-quality permit for the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline. The lawsuit argues that WVDEP’s approval violates the Clean Water Act.
Charleston, WV — Today, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection approved the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Water Quality Certification, which is a permit required by Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to ensure that a project can meet water quality standards. West Virginia’s approval was required before the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could move forward with dredge-and-fill permits for the pipeline.
With the failure of coal operator ERP’s unconventional scheme, West Virginia must contend with the company’s environmental violations and mines in need of cleanup.
The West Virginia legislature has introduced two new bills that would loosen coal mining rules and impact state water quality.
