Equitrans/EQT Midstream

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    WV Judge Refuses to Eject Tree Sitters Blocking Pipeline Work

    If the so-called “tree sitters” in Jefferson National Forest who are trying to block tree cutting for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) get themselves hurt, Monroe County Circuit Court Judge Robert Irons will be the one to blame. Well actually, the protesters can blame themselves (they’re idiots), but Irons is certainly complicit. On Tuesday Judge Irons refused to grant MVP a court order to remove the radical protesters. Apparently they are 7 feet outside of the right of way zone for tree felling. Have you ever cut a big tree down? Trees don’t care if they fall 7 feet this way or 7 feet that way when they fall. MVP wants to ensure the protesters don’t get hurt, and wants them gone before they cut trees near them. But because the radicals technically, according to the judge, are not in the actual right of way, they can stay up the trees where they’ve been for the past 25+ days. There are two suspended tree houses (platforms), held in the trees with ropes. Up to seven people have been living in the two magic tree houses, eating, breathing and defecating up in the trees (harming the environment they profess to be protecting). MVP technically has a deadline of March 31 to fell trees along the path of the pipeline. We suspect MVP has a Plan B for this segment where the loons have perched themselves up a tree. We predict sitting up a tree will get old sooner or later–and MVP can wait them out…
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    Praying Against the Mountain Valley Pipeline in Virginia

    When was the last time you read a news story about 50 people gathering to pray…*against* an infrastructure project? Ever see or read a news story about people gathered to pray against a new highway being built? What about people who pray against construction of a new bridge? Or maybe those who pray against a new high-tension electric line coming through the area? We’ve never heard of or read any of those kinds of stories. Ever. So why does Virginia Public Radio feel compelled to publish a story about 50 people gathering to pray against the Mountain Valley Pipeline? What about the 5,000 people who live in the same area who are just fine with the pipeline? Do you think they might deserve a story too?…
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    How to Remove Law-Breaking MVP Tree Sitters without Hurting Them?

    Last week MDN told you about two radical anti-fossil fuel activists who built tree houses in the Jefferson National Forest and are living in them (for now) in an attempt to prevent the trees and the trees around them from being cut to make way for the legally permitted Mountain Valley Pipeline (see Radicals Go Up a Tree in Quest to Illegally Block MVP Construction). Their strategy is to stay up a tree until March 31, when the trees can no longer be cut due to bat season–a prohibition on tree clearing to prevent killing a threatened species of bats that may roost in those trees (season lasts until October). MVP needs those trees to come down now, before the end of the month, or the pipeline won’t get built this year. On Tuesday a judge agreed, granting an injunction that says the tree sitters have to come down. Just one problem–when MVP reps tried to serve the tree sitters with a summons, the radicals refused to identify themselves or “hear” the summons, hiding out in their magic tree houses so they couldn’t be served. What can MVP (and the Forest Service) do now to get them out of the trees?…
    Read More “How to Remove Law-Breaking MVP Tree Sitters without Hurting Them?”

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    Part of Jefferson Natl Forest Closed to Keep MVP Protesters Out

    Last week MDN told you about a couple of rabid antis who climbed trees in Jefferson National Forest and have perched themselves in homemade tree stands in an attempt to block tree cutting for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (see Radicals Go Up a Tree in Quest to Illegally Block MVP Construction). Time is ticking. Tree felling must happen by the end of March, or the builder (EQT Midstream) will need to wait until October to fell the trees due to a ban on cutting trees during “bat season” (don’t ask). The antis are still, literally, up a tree–still blocking tree cutting in the forest. Last week a judge issued a restraining order that instructs the tree sitters to come down. But they haven’t–not yet, anyway. Following the judge’s order, the U.S. Forest Service, in charge of Jefferson National Forest, issued an emergency closure order, closing the forest along the 3.5 miles of MVP’s path through the forest. The Forest Service is trying to prevent any more tree sitters from invading the forest and setting up what will no doubt be a police action to remove the demented tree sitters already up a tree…
    Read More “Part of Jefferson Natl Forest Closed to Keep MVP Protesters Out”

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    Federal Judge Grants MVP Eminent Domain, Affects 300 Landowners

    Last Friday a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia granted Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) the right to enter and construct the pipeline on properties of landowners who have refused to negotiate a right-of-way across their land. There are nearly 300 landowners who have refused to deal with MVP–and their time is now up. Instead of getting a higher price for leasing their property, MVP will first build and later let a court determine how much money the landowners will receive. The courts almost always determine amounts lower than could have otherwise been negotiated between the landowner and the pipeline company. Oh well. Some folks have to learn the hard way…
    Read More “Federal Judge Grants MVP Eminent Domain, Affects 300 Landowners”

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    Radicals Go Up a Tree in Quest to Illegally Block MVP Construction

    Sometimes radicals who have “jumped the shark” and descended into complete lunacy go up a tree–literally. We’ve spotted this mental condition before (see PA Anti Literally Goes Up a Tree to Stop Mariner East 2 Pipeline). It’s happening again–this time in West Virginia where six of out-of-state, paid protesters climbed trees in the path of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) and are camping out in the trees–to prevent them from being cut down. Radical antis and sycophantic reporters call it a “direct action” by “pipeline resisters.” It’s actually an illegal, law-breaking action by criminals. Notice how the media attempts to change the narrative and spin stories by clouding the language? These are radical antis who seek to break our laws and FORCE their anti-fossil fuel views on society. MVP has asked local a WV judge to order law enforcement to remove the lawbreakers…
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    EQT Pulls Trigger to Split Company in Two: Drilling & Pipelines

    After EQT announced its plan to buy/merge in Rice Energy last year, the company got pushback from a couple of so-called activist investors (i.e. corporate raiders). One raider, Jana Partners, tried its best to stop the EQT/Rice deal outright (see Proxy Fight: Jana Partners, Atlas Tries to Stop EQT/Rice Deal). Jana slithered away after the merger happened (see Corp Raider Slinks Away After Losing EQT Fight; Selling Stock). However, a second raider, D.E. Shaw, supported the merger but lobbied hard that once the merger is complete, the company should split itself into two companies: upstream (drilling) and midstream (pipelines). Shaw’s pressure made EQT tap dance to their tune (see Under Pressure, EQT Moves Up Timeline to Explore Splitting Co.). True to their word, once Rice was merged in, EQT then added a couple of new board members and set about exploring how to separate the company into two companies. The theory is that by separating, each company can focus on what it does best (drilling or pipelines), meaning each separately will have a higher valuation/stock price than the two combined. That is, “the sum of the parts” is worth more than the whole. The review process is now done, and EQT’s Board of Directors voted to proceed with a plan to divide the company in two…
    Read More “EQT Pulls Trigger to Split Company in Two: Drilling & Pipelines”

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    Pittsylvania County VA Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe Rezoning

    Uncommon common sense can be found among county leaders in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, who approved a rezoning request last night for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)–a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County. Although the entire path for MVP is important, there are two places where the pipeline’s path is critical and cannot be moved. One of those points is where it starts–and the other where it ends and connects to the mighty Transco. Pittsylvania County is where MVP ends–and where it can’t be moved. There many (many!) people who spoke out against MVP in various county hearings. Here’s where the uncommon common sense was exhibited. In speaking about those who railed against the pipeline, Pittsylvania Supervisor for the Westover District, Ron Scearce, said this: “One thing that’s surprising to me with all of this [opposition] is that there has not been one county resident who was affected by the project who spoke [against it].” Scearce gets it. A very vocal minority of environmental zealots, dedicated to defeating any fossil fuel project, are the ones who show up and speak out. The people across whose land the pipeline will run? They’re fine with it. Scearce and the other supervisors voting last night were not fooled by the tactics of the enviro-left. The property was rezoned to allow MVP by a UNANIMOUS vote…
    Read More “Pittsylvania County VA Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe Rezoning”

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    EQT Big Announcement Coming Within 2 Wks to Split Co. in Two

    Yesterday EQT, now the largest natural gas producing company in the United States following its acquisition of Rice Energy, released 2017 numbers. On an analyst call to discuss the number, CEO Steve Schlotterbeck turned the conversation in the direction of “sum of the parts”–which turned out to be the really big news. What in the world is “sum of the parts?” In October 2017, prior to EQT consummating its deal to buy Rice, Steve Schlotterbeck said following the merger EQT would study a plan to split the newly consolidated company into two pieces–upstream/drilling and midstream/pipelines (see EQT CEO Signals Company Likely to Split in Two After Rice Merger). EQT is considering a split under pressure from a corporate raider (aka “activist investor”). You know what we think of corporate raiders. Scum of the earth. Anywho, in high finance, the theory is that if you split a company in two different lines of business into pieces, with each piece focusing on a different market (drilling vs. pipelines in the case of EQT), the two companies would be worth far more to investors as standalone companies than they are joined together. In other words, the “sum of the parts” is worth more than the whole. EQT honored its word, hiring two new board members following the Rice merger. Their role is specifically to help with reviewing and crafting a plan to split the company. The outcome of the review (and the plan to split the company in two) was due out by the end of March. However, on yesterday’s analyst phone call, Schlotterbeck said the review and a plan will be released by “the end of February”–in less than two weeks. Frankly, there’s no doubt the review will recommend a split, judging by Schlotterbeck’s comments (see below). Schlotterbeck said yesterday, “[W]e intend to implement the plan on an accelerated basis.” Welcome to splitsville…
    Read More “EQT Big Announcement Coming Within 2 Wks to Split Co. in Two”

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    5 Big Green Groups File Another Lawsuit to Stop Mountain Valley Pipe

    This simply must stop. We MUST begin to countersue (monthly/weekly/daily if necessary) the Big Green radical groups that continue to bring a flood of lawsuits against legally permitted pipeline projects. We must! It is the only way to even the playing field. Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)–a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA–is one of the targets of Big Green. MVP has had so many lawsuits filed against it, we can’t keep track of them all. Two recent examples. (1) Five radical green groups, including the Sierra Club, Appalachian Voices, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, and Wild Virginia, sued the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in federal court in early January over FERC’s approval of the project (see 5 Radical Green Groups Sue to Stop Mountain Valley Pipeline). A few weeks later, the radical Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Southern Environmental Law Center, on behalf of more than a dozen environmental groups (the including the ones previously listed) sued the Virginia Water Control Board for approving MVP’s application for stream crossing permits (see Big Green Files Lawsuit Against VA Regulators for Approving Pipe). And now, the same lawyers involved in those other cases are doing it again. On Wednesday, five Big Green groups, including the Sierra Club, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Indian Creek Watershed Association, Appalachian Voices, and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network sued the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in federal court over the Corps’ approval of the project. Enough! Start to sue back! Here’s the details (and a copy of) the latest lawsuit by Big Green radicals…
    Read More “5 Big Green Groups File Another Lawsuit to Stop Mountain Valley Pipe”

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    FERC Grants MVP OK to Begin Pipeline Construction in Virginia & W.V.

    In January, MDN reported that Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)–a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA–had received permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to begin tree clearing and construction of access roads and construction yards in five West Virginia counties: Wetzel, Harrison, Doddridge, Lewis and Braxton counties (see Mountain Valley Pipe Gets FERC Approval to Begin WV Construction). That was MVP’s very first permission to begin construction-related activities. It was the trickle. The flood gates burst open late last week when FERC began issuing what is (so far) four new orders. The new orders grant MVP permission to continue not only tree clearing and building roads, but also to begin construction of the actual pipeline itself. That is, digging trenches and laying steel in the ground–not only in WV, but also in Virginia. Construction is now under way in multiple counties in both states. We lay out where MVP is getting built, and what activities are now green lighted by FERC, below…
    Read More “FERC Grants MVP OK to Begin Pipeline Construction in Virginia & W.V.”

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    Unions in WV Hiring Workers as Pipeline Construction Begins

    Tree clearing for Dominion’s $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) has already begun in West Virginia (see Atlantic Coast Pipeline Begins Cutting Trees in WV & VA (Not NC)). Construction for ACP in WV will begin this spring. Tree clearing for EQT’s $3.5 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), along with construction of access roads and construction yards, has not yet begun but soon will in WV (see Mountain Valley Pipe Gets FERC Approval to Begin WV Construction). What it all means is that a lot of workers will be needed in a hurry as construction gets underway. Enter trade unions. Union workers will perform the bulk of construction–everything from driving trucks to delivery of supplies (and people), to operating heavy equipment, to digging trenches, to welding–even cutting down the trees, an activity happening now. Unions in WV are currently recruiting new members who want a good-paying, hard-working jobs in the pipeline industry in the Mountain State…
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    Federal Judge Pushes Pause Button on Mountain Valley Pipe in VA

    In mid-January MDN brought you the news that (sadly) Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) had to file in federal court to “condemn” some holdout landowner properties along the pipeline’s route (see Mountain Valley Pipe Tweaks Route, Asks VA Judge for Eminent Domain). MVP is a $3.5 billion, 303-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA. Holdout landowners in Virginia hired attorneys who argued that because MVP continued to tweak the route of the pipeline (in an attempt to work WITH said landowners!), that serves as evidence MVP doesn’t know what it really wants and whom to condemn with eminent domain–therefore the whole thing should be put on hold. MVP wants condemnation using eminent domain for Virginia landowners to happen now, because they are playing Beat the Clock with tree clearing along the path of the pipeline, work that must be done by March 31st because federal law prohibits it after March 31st for fear of killing a few roosting bats (we kid you not). In a decision handed down last week, a federal judge gave both sides reason for hope. The judge ruled that MVP can proceed with eminent domain cases against some 300 landowners–a huge legal victory for MVP. However, MVP can’t (yet) enter those properties for tree clearing and survey work. Why? Because MVP hasn’t provided the judge with enough proof that they will be able to pay landowners a fair price for their property when the time comes to settle up. She’s not saying MVP can’t or won’t pay up, she’s saying she wants to see more evidence first (surety bonds), before she will let MVP begin work. Those opposed to the pipeline heralded the judge’s decision to temporarily prevent work as some sort of victory–which it is not. They lost the case! The properties are now condemned using eminent domain (or soon will be, once the court paperwork proceeds). The judge’s order temporarily prevents work, but we expect MVP will remedy that post haste so they can then start up the chainsaws and get to work…
    Read More “Federal Judge Pushes Pause Button on Mountain Valley Pipe in VA”

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    Dominion, MVP File to Dismiss VA-WV Lawsuit Against Pipe Projects

    In September a group of 57 gentry landowners in Virginia and West Virginia, backed by an out-of-state Big Green group, sued the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in an attempt to gut the 80-year old Natural Gas Act that gives FERC the right to grant eminent domain for pipeline projects (see VA, WV Landowners Sue FERC re Pipelines, Seek to Gut Natural Gas Act). Specifically, the colluding landowners oppose Dominion’s $5 billion, 594-mile natural gas pipeline that will stretch from West Virginia through Virginia and into North Carolina, and EQT’s $3.5 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline project, a 303-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA. The frivolous lawsuit, titled BOLD ALLIANCE, et al. v. FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION, et al., was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. It claims the landowners’ property is a “taking” not properly compensated under the U.S. Constitution. Yesterday two important parties to the lawsuit–Dominion (representing Atlantic Coast Pipeline) and Mountain Valley Pipeline–filed a motion to dismiss the case. They have a strong argument. Why dismiss? Because the gentry landowners filing the lawsuit have ignored United State laws, which specifically state that (a) ONLY FERC has jurisdiction over the projects and decisions about whether or not they can get built, (b) if a supposedly aggrieved party disagrees with FERC’s decisions, they must first file for a rehearing, and if FERC still refuses, then (c) the supposedly aggrieved party can file a lawsuit ONLY with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The suers (Bold Alliance) did file for a rehearing and FERC has not yet ruled on the rehearing. Bold Alliance tried to sidestep the law by moving forward with a lawsuit prematurely. However, the really big no-no is that they filed in U.S. District Court for DC, NOT the Court of Appeals for DC. Big difference. We see no other choice for the judges in U.S. District Court but to dismiss the case since Bold Alliance should not have brought the case in their court in the first place…
    Read More “Dominion, MVP File to Dismiss VA-WV Lawsuit Against Pipe Projects”

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    Mountain Valley Pipe Eminent Domain Lawsuits Begin in Virginia

    It’s full speed ahead for Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP)–a $3.5 billion, 303-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA. In October, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave final approval for the project (see FERC Approves Atlantic Coast, Mountain Valley Pipeline Projects). In early November, the West Virginia Dept. of Environmental Protection gave the project its approval (see WVDEP Reverses, Waives Water Permit for Mountain Valley Pipeline). And just a few weeks ago, the Virginia Water Control Board voted to approve the project (see Virginia Water Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe – Antis Erupt). It’s clear sailing for MVP–except for some holdout landowners who refuse to sign easements. Which is forcing MVP to move forward with court actions against them in Virginia…
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    EQT Begins Process of Separating Midstream…into New Company?

    Yesterday EQT released details about their plans for 2018 (see our lead story today, EQT Drills Longest Marcellus Well Ever, Reveals 2018 Plans). Plenty of news sources covered that news. However, EQT Midstream, the pipeline subsidiary of EQT, also released an announcement, which received almost no media coverage. And yet there is, for us, some big news in the EQT Midstream announcement. As you know by now, EQT recently bought and merged in Rice Energy, creating the largest onshore natural gas producing company in the United States (see EQT Buys Rice Energy in $8.2B Deal, Becomes #1 Gas Producer in US). EQT bought not only Rice the driller, but Rice the midstream company too. EQT has it’s own EQT Midstream subsidiary. And yet, EQT (the driller) still owns a number of midstream/pipeline assets, on paper, separate from EQT Midstream. Same with Rice Energy–they had Rice Midstream Partners as a subsidiary. It’s all kind of a mish mash–with pipeline assets spread around four (or more) different entities on paper. Yesterday’s announcement by EQT Midstream said (a) the EQT parent company is considering “dropping down” (shifting ownership on paper) for all remaining midstream assets to EQT Midstream, and (b) EQT is also considering combining EQT Midstream and Rice Midstream Partners into one single entity–one division for all midstream assets. Which certainly makes sense. Why not tidy up the operations and get everything under one umbrella? Except we think there may be another reason for combining all of the midstream assets into one, neat, lovable bundle: spinning off the midstream division into its own standalone company, completely separate from the EQT parent…
    Read More “EQT Begins Process of Separating Midstream…into New Company?”