Virginia environmental regulators approved a water quality protection plan for the 2-Bcf/d Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline project.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ, on March 26 authorized the erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, and karst protection plans, which include engineering designs and specifications to mitigate impacts of erosion and water pollution based on the state's environmental regulations, according to a news release from the agency. The plans encompass "land disturbing activities in Virginia" during and after construction of the project.

The approval, one of the last remaining requirements for Mountain Valley to start with construction, came after a review process that began March 2016 involving the DEQ and an independent consulting firm. The DEQ sent a report with details of its approval to the state's Water Control Board.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a certificate to the $3.7 billion project in October 2017 and approved construction work Jan. 22. The 300-mile pipeline would provide up to 2 MMDth/d of firm gas transmission from northwestern West Virginia to southern Virginia.

The project is a joint venture of EQT Midstream Partners LP, NextEra Energy Inc., RGC Resources Inc., WGL Holdings Inc. and Consolidated Edison Inc.