Skip to content

States must uphold their responsibility to protect our waters

In late May, a Virginian named Fern set up camp on a tree platform to block construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. This came after the U.S. Forest Service barred another tree-sitting pipeline protester’s access to food, water and medical care, and a judge imposed fines on two women who established a treetop camp in their own backyard, forcing them down.

By supporting the profiteering aims of a private fracked-gas pipeline company and monopoly utilities over the clear will of the people, the government agencies abetting these projects are standing on the wrong side of history.

The movement to stop the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines has vast, and increasingly broad, backing across geographic and ideological divides. Legal challenges to both projects have traction, and a growing bipartisan chorus of state legislators and local officials is sounding the alarm.

The governors of North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia should join Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine and U.S. representatives from both parties in calling for federal regulators to reconsider the improperly approved projects. And they should halt construction while this vital assessment takes place.

States also have the authority — and responsibility — to protect their own waters. Unfortunately, Virginia and West Virginia have so far deferred to the federal government’s improper use of a one-size-fits-all water quality permit without scrutinizing any of the numerous pipeline water crossings — many on very steep, erosion-prone slopes.

These states owe it to their citizens to conduct a rigorous state reviews of the pipelines’ effects on water quality. In fact, Virginia Gov. Northam promised a stream-by-stream review of water crossings on the campaign trail last year, which the state has failed to deliver.

Residents along both pipeline routes are documenting violations and testing water quality, providing more evidence that these projects cannot be built without putting people, water and ecosystems at risk. It’s time for state leaders to act.

P.S. Our April/May issue focused on natural gas fracking, frack waste, pipelines, and proposed petrochemical plants and gas storage hubs. We’re grateful to the extraordinary volunteers who helped boost our distribution of that special issue across the region from 65,500 to 72,500 copies. Read it online at appvoices.org/thevoice/gas-issue

Tom Cormons, Executive Director

AV-mountainBorder-tan-medium1

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave a Comment





purekana premium cbd gummies 25 mg reviews unlocking the secrets of a top rated cbd product experience the bliss of batch cbd gummies unlocking the secrets to a pain free and restful life experience the bliss of peak8 cbd gummies unlocking a holistic approach to wellness what are cbd gummies 300mg good for unlocking the therapeutic potential of cannabinoids activgenix cbd gummies where to buy a comprehensive guide to the best cbd gummies for sale unlock the full potential of your manhood with male enhancement cbd gummies a game changing supplem find peace and relaxation with pure harmony cbd gummies for ed the ultimate solution for a stress foods that kill erectile dysfunction a comprehensive guide to improving sexual health enhancing intimacy with cannabis gummies for sex a comprehensive guide 12075 vigor vita cbd gummies reviews for ed a comprehensive guide to natural relief where to buy keto gummies from shark tank a comprehensive guide to weight loss and wellness unlock the power of ntx keto bhb gummies with dr jennifer ashton a safe and effective supplement f the ultimate guide to keto bites gummies price a comprehensive review of the best keto gummies on t did kelly clarkson use keto chews best methods and insights tropi keto gummies ingredients unlock the power of a sustainable ketogenic lifestyle keto gummies your convenient companion on the keto journey 356 dagen mcdowell drops 185 pounds how the fox business host overcame grief and transformed her health 9389 total keto gummies unlock the power of ketosis for effective weight loss selena gomezs 2024 weight loss resilience balance and self love are proton keto gummies safe to take a comprehensive review of keto iq pro burn ss and more