Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff granted more time for tree cutting on the $3.7 billion Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline project within certain areas of the Jefferson National Forest in West Virginia and Virginia.
Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC asked for the extension June 8, citing delays caused by a tree sitter that occupied trees within the project's right of way. The authorization, issued June 11, allows for tree-felling work to continue between to July 31.
The authorization is limited to a 0.3-acre area on the east side of Peters Mountain in Monroe County, W.Va. Trees can also be cleared to provide access to certain roads in Giles County, Va.
Tree felling, a pre-construction activity for the 2-Bcf/d project, was initially scheduled to stop by March 31. FERC staff issued a similar extension in April for tree cutting, pushing the deadline to May 31. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service supported the June request.
Protesters of the 300-mile pipeline have occupied trees along the project route to block pre-construction work since February. Recently, project opponents attacked the validity of issued state permits.
FERC authorized the pipeline in a certificate order October 2017 and approved construction activities Jan. 22. The project is a joint venture of EQT Midstream Partners LP, NextEra Energy Inc., Con Edison Transmission Inc., WGL Midstream Inc. and RGC Midstream LLC. (FERC docket CP16-10)
