Pipeline Pushback Continues with Water Monitoring and Lawsuits

As the fights against new fracked-gas pipelines in our region press forward, we’re continuing our legal challenges to the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast pipelines along with a variety of partners. On May 22, we joined a new lawsuit calling on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit to immediately halt the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s construction across waterways because the company’s own documents show it cannot meet the requirements of its Army Corps permit.

We’re also working with over 10 teams across western Virginia (and even east of Richmond) to monitor over 50 sites on creeks and rivers that the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines propose to cross. Along with partners Wild Virginia and West Virginia River Coalition, we’re using a pipeline water monitoring protocol developed by Trout Unlimited to train interested local residents in how to inspect water quality at these precious headwater streams and major rivers. Volunteers are taking measurements for pH, water temperature, conductivity, flow, and turbidity to catch any changes to the waterway.

The Atlantic Coast Pipeline is expected to file for an air pollution permit for its proposed compressor station in Buckingham County, Va., this summer. To stay informed, visit appvoices.org/blog or join our email list at appvoices.org/signup.