Advocates to rally Sen. Warner to remove Mountain Valley Pipeline from debt ceiling bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2023

CONTACT
Jessica Sims, (804) 356-1228 jessica@appvoices.org

On Thursday, June 1, communities across Virginia will rally at Sen. Mark Warner’s regional offices to ask him to support an amendment to remove the Mountain Valley Pipeline from the debt ceiling bill. The bill, the ‘Fiscal Responsibility Act,’ contains a provision which grants special favors to exempt the beleaguered pipeline from environmental review and court challenges. This unprecedented interference from Congress is occuring while the project is missing both a West Virginia water permit and an Army Corps authorization, and faces new litigation.

Sen. Tim Kaine has announced he will introduce an amendment to have the provision removed in the Senate, and advocates will gather outside Senate offices to encourage Sen. Warner to support this amendment. Virginia Rep. Jennifer McClellan recently submitted a House amendment with other members of the Virginia House delegation, but the amendment did not pass through the House Rules Committee.

The bill’s provisions affecting the Mountain Valley Pipeline, National Environmental Policy Act and working families have faced significant pushback from the public and from members of Congress. The June 1 outdoor regional rallies will include featured speakers, colorful visuals and letter deliveries to Sen. Warner’s offices.

Richmond
Where: 919 E. Main Street
Richmond, VA 23219
When: 12 pm – 1 pm
Contact: Mason Manley (804) 404-2941

Roanoke
Where: 120 Luck Avenue SW
Roanoke, VA 24011
When: 1 pm – 2 pm
Contact: Crystal Mello (540) 798-9028
Featured Speaker: Del. Sam Rasoul, HD11

Norfolk
Where: World Trade Center;
101 W. Main St, Ste. 7771
Norfolk, VA 23510
When: 12 pm -1 pm
Contact: Lynn Godfrey (757) 305-8284

Vienna
Where: 8150 Leesburg Pike
Vienna, VA 22182
When: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Contact: Natalie Pien (703) 963-3573

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Appalachian Voices is a leading nonprofit advocate for a healthy environment and just economy in the Appalachian region, and a driving force in America’s shift from fossil fuels to a clean energy future.