FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 30, 2025
CONTACT: Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator, (804) 356-1228, jessica@appvoices.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Wilmington and Norfolk Districts closed their public comment period on the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit application for Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s proposed Southgate extension. The agency offered a 30-day comment period even though the applicant is still submitting new filings to agencies about the project, and the Virginia and North Carolina Departments of Environmental Quality have not started the public input process for their review of the companion permit, a Clean Water Act Section 401 permit. Additionally, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission recently announced a “scoping” public comment period on Southgate, soliciting feedback on the applicant’s request to change Southgate’s route, pipe diameter and gas capacity.
Thousands of members of the public sent comments to the Army Corps, citing concerns with the premature public input process, the agency’s statement that it will implement special emergency permitting procedures owing to Executive Order 14156 and the Southgate’s likely harm to waterways along the route.
“The Trump administration’s fantasy of an energy ‘emergency’ should not be allowed to fast track the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate project,” said Campaign Organizing Strategist at Sierra Club Caroline Hansley. “The reality is Southgate is prioritizing corporate profits over the environment, public health and community safety. The real emergency is that if this project moves forward, Virginia and North Carolina residents could suffer from dirtier water and air while MVP lines its pockets.”
The Southgate pipeline is proposed for Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and Rockingham County, North Carolina, and is also currently undergoing an amendment review process by FERC regarding developers’ plans to alter the project. On May 22, FERC announced a new scoping public comment period and scoping sessions. This request for public feedback on the amendment request CP25-60-000 to make changes to the project’s design is open until June 21. FERC will host public scoping meetings in Pittsylvania County on June 16 and Rockingham County on June 17.
“FERC’s request for public input highlights the need for careful review of the proposed Southgate pipeline and indicates that the Army Corps process is occurring prematurely, potentially limiting meaningful public involvement,” said Jessica Sims, Virginia Field Coordinator at Appalachian Voices. “Southgate would be harmful to local air, water and property values.”
Southgate would extend the controversial Mountain Valley Pipeline and has faced significant opposition since it was proposed in 2018. It would have a similar route as the proposed Southeast Supply Enhancement Project from Williams Companies’ expansion of their network of Transco pipelines.
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