NC DEQ approves water permit for MVP Southgate pipeline

Community leaders, grassroots organizations and members of the public spoke out against Mountain Valley Pipeline’s Southgate project at a public hearing on MVP’s application for a 401 water quality permit. Photo by Kasey Kinsella of 7 Directions of Service

Today, the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality issued a Clean Water Act Section 401 certification for Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s proposed methane gas pipeline “Southgate,” rejecting concerns raised by North Carolina community members that the project would pollute streams and wetlands and harm protected aquatic species.

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‘King of the Darters’ Removed from Endangered Species List 

Roanoke logperch swimming in a stream

The Roanoke logperch, a striking, large freshwater fish found in a handful of watersheds in Virginia and North Carolina, is no longer on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s endangered species list. It’s a sign of the fish population’s improvement. But some individuals and environmental and conservation organizations see its removal from Endangered Species Act protections — rather than moving from “endangered” to “threatened” status — as premature.

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Honoring Rep. Grijalva

Appalachian Voices staff is deeply saddened by the passing of U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Throughout his more than 20 years of congressional service, the Arizona representative was committed to not only the communities in his district, but disadvantaged communities across the country, including Appalachians and coal mining communities.

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Overwhelming opposition to MVP Southgate submitted to federal agency

Rally and protest against Manchin Dirty Deal for MVP pipeline in Washington, DC. Photo courtesy of Jen Lawhorne / Appalachian Voices.

On March 11, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission closed an intervention period in the federal docket for the proposed Southgate pipeline project. Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, the developer of the Southgate pipeline, is seeking approval to dramatically alter its original 2018 design, changing the route and increasing the pipe diameter and capacity for the project. Although community members asked for more time for review, only a 21-day intervention period was offered.

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