Statewide VA

Energy Services | Equitrans/EQT Midstream | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Virginia

Pittsylvania County VA Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe Rezoning
February 21, 2018February 21, 2018

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”
Energy Services | Equitrans/EQT Midstream | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Statewide WV | Virginia | West Virginia

FERC Grants MVP OK to Begin Pipeline Construction in Virginia & W.V.
February 14, 2018February 14, 2018

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.”
Industrywide Issues | Maryland | Pipelines | Statewide MD | Statewide VA | Virginia

New 190-Mile NatGas Pipeline Planned for Delmarva Peninsula
February 6, 2018February 8, 2018

Delmarva Pipeline map – click for larger version

It’s not often we run across a new pipeline project in our region that we haven’t heard about. But this is one of those days. Last August through October (for 60 days) the Delmarva Pipeline company ran an open house for a 190-mile pipeline that will originate in Rising Sun, Maryland and extend down the Eastern Shore to Accomack, Virginia. We missed the original open season announcement. An open season, for those new to the oil and gas business, is when a pipeline company floats a plan for a pipeline and gets potential customers to agree, contractually, to use the pipeline for the first 10-15 years (or longer) after it’s built. Those signed-on-the-dotted-line contracts give the builder, in this case H4 Capital Partners, confidence to file a plan and proceed with construction. The purpose of the Delmarva Pipeline is to flow natural gas to two rural counties in the southern portion of the Delmarva Peninsula–Somerset County, MD and Accomack County, VA. (Delmarva, for those not along the East Coast, stands for Delaware, Maryland and Virginia–the peninsula where portions of all three states can be found.) H4 Capital Partners has reportedly spent the past four years planning the $1.3 billion pipeline project, and they are now, after a successful open season, ready to file plans with FERC to make it happen. The plan is to get the pipeline built and in-service by late 2020 or early 2021. The reason MDN is interested in this pipeline should be obvious. Although there’s no mention of where the gas will come from to feed this new pipeline, we have zero doubt the gas will come from the Marcellus Shale–making the Delmarva Pipeline an important new demand source for our bountiful supplies of clean burning Marcellus gas…
Read More “New 190-Mile NatGas Pipeline Planned for Delmarva Peninsula”
Energy Services | Equitrans/EQT Midstream | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pipelines | Statewide VA | Virginia

Federal Judge Pushes Pause Button on Mountain Valley Pipe in VA
February 5, 2018February 5, 2018

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”
Dominion Energy | Duke Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Virginia

Big Green Files Lawsuit Against VA Regulators for Approving Pipe
January 24, 2018January 24, 2018

In December members of Virginia’s Water Control Board voted 4-3 to approve issuing a water permit/certification for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project (see Atlantic Coast Pipeline Delayed in Virginia by Water Board Vote). ACP is a $5 billion natural gas pipeline project from West Virginia through Virginia and into North Carolina being built by Dominion Energy and Duke Energy. The Water Board’s approval was conditional, the condition being that approval “is dependent on a final review of several environmental studies.” Those studies won’t be done until March or April of this year, meaning in all likelihood the project will be delayed. You would think Big Green groups would have rejoiced at the Water Control Board’s decision, effectively delaying the project. But they didn’t. Instead, a coalition of groups filed a lawsuit late last week against the Water Control Board–for doing their jobs. The groups claim the Water Control Board and the Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality (DEQ) have not done a good enough job of protecting Virginia’s water resources with respect to the ACP project…
Read More “Big Green Files Lawsuit Against VA Regulators for Approving Pipe”
Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | North Carolina | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Statewide WV | Virginia | West Virginia

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Begins Cutting Trees in WV & VA (Not NC)
January 23, 2018January 23, 2018

In December MDN told you that Dominion’s $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project had asked permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to begin clearing trees along the path of the pipeline in all three states where the pipeline will run: West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina (see Atlantic Coast Pipe Asks FERC to Begin Tree Cutting in WV, VA, NC). FERC approved the project last October (see FERC Approves Atlantic Coast, Mountain Valley Pipeline Projects). However, two of the three states–Virginia and North Carolina–have not yet given final water crossing permits for the project (see Atlantic Coast Pipeline Delayed in Virginia by Water Board Vote and NC Plays “Death by a Thousand Questions” with Atlantic Coast Pipe). Lack of water crossing permits isn’t stopping ACP, nor FERC. Last Friday FERC granted ACP permission to begin felling trees, and the chainsaws have been busy over the weekend–at least in WV and VA (not yet in NC). The clock is ticking. Because of cockamamie Obama regulations, clearcutting of trees along the path for a pipeline (or roadway, or whatever) is banned from April 1st through October 31st, in an effort to protect the “endangered” northern long-eared bat (see Marcellus/Utica Drillers Ask for Special Permit to Kill Some Bats). ACP will be busy between now and March 31st cutting down trees to prepare for laying pipe…
Read More “Atlantic Coast Pipeline Begins Cutting Trees in WV & VA (Not NC)”
Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pipelines | Statewide VA | Virginia

Mountain Valley Pipe Tweaks Route, Asks VA Judge for Eminent Domain
January 18, 2018January 18, 2018

Credit: Roanoke Times – click for larger version

Attorneys for holdout landowners along the path of Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) are using MVP’s willingness to tweak the route of the pipeline to avoid certain areas, against it. Yes, try to work WITH folks–and they turn around and use it against you. MVP is 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 in December, the Virginia Water Control Board voted to approve the project (see Virginia Water Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe – Antis Erupt). So it should be clear sailing for MVP–except for some 15% of holdout landowners along the pipeline’s route who refuse to sign easements. MVP has taken them to court, asking a federal judge for permission to use eminent domain to gain access to those properties. But the holdouts’ lawyers are saying continued tweaks to the pipeline route are evidence MVP doesn’t know what the heck it wants and who to “condemn” with eminent domain–and that’s enough reason for the judge to refuse granting blanket condemnation for eminent domain…
Read More “Mountain Valley Pipe Tweaks Route, Asks VA Judge for Eminent Domain”
Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Research | Statewide VA | Virginia

DOE Spending $8M on Research to Evaluate Nora Field in SW VA
January 4, 2018January 4, 2018

Yesterday the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of six projects to receive approximately $30 million in federal funding for cost-shared research and development in unconventional oil and natural gas recovery. One of the six projects is for the Appalachian region (Marcellus/Utica area). DOE is chipping in $8 million and another $3.1 million is coming from other sources for a total of $11.1 million to study “the resource potential for multi-play production of emerging unconventional reservoirs in the Nora Gas Field of southwest Virginia.” That’s the first we’ve heard of the Nora Gas Field. Turns out the Nora field, located mainly in Dickenson County, VA, has a lot of conventional and coalbed methane gas wells. The research project will determine if the gas locked away in the Nora might be accessed with horizontal fracking. The project will also look at “novel completion strategies for lateral wells in the unconventional Lower Huron Shale” and the “resource potential of the Cambrian Rogersville Shale.” In other words, this research may well lead to active shale drilling in the Old Dominion State…
Read More “DOE Spending $8M on Research to Evaluate Nora Field in SW VA”
Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Equitrans/EQT Midstream | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pipelines | Statewide VA | Statewide WV | Virginia | West Virginia

Dominion, MVP File to Dismiss VA-WV Lawsuit Against Pipe Projects
January 4, 2018January 4, 2018

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”
Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | North Carolina | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Statewide WV | Virginia | West Virginia

Atlantic Coast Pipe Asks FERC to Begin Tree Cutting in WV, VA, NC
December 22, 2017December 22, 2017

Dominion’s $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project recently asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for permission to begin clearing trees along the path of the pipeline in all three states where the pipeline will run: West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina. FERC approved the project in October (see FERC Approves Atlantic Coast, Mountain Valley Pipeline Projects). However, two of the three states–Virginia and North Carolina–have not yet given final water crossing permits for the project (see Atlantic Coast Pipeline Delayed in Virginia by Water Board Vote and NC Plays “Death by a Thousand Questions” with Atlantic Coast Pipe). ACP isn’t letting state agencies put a damper on the project. Just a few weeks ago ACP announced it had signed contracts with four labor unions to do the construction work, and had filed eminent domain lawsuits against holdout landowners who have refused to negotiate leases (see Atlantic Coast Pipe Gets Ready to Build: Union Help, Eminent Domain). And now ACP is asking FERC for permission to begin clearing trees, giving antis apoplexy…
Read More “Atlantic Coast Pipe Asks FERC to Begin Tree Cutting in WV, VA, NC”
Energy Services | Equitrans/EQT Midstream | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Pipelines | Statewide VA | Virginia

Mountain Valley Pipe Eminent Domain Lawsuits Begin in Virginia
December 20, 2017December 20, 2017

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…
Read More “Mountain Valley Pipe Eminent Domain Lawsuits Begin in Virginia”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Crime | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Statewide VA | Virginia

Anarchists Threaten VA Water Board Member at Her Home re Pipe Vote
December 19, 2017December 19, 2017

Last week MDN brought you the news about a vote from the Virginia State Water Control Board that gave Dominion’s Atlantic Coast Pipeline a non-approval approval (see Atlantic Coast Pipeline Delayed in Virginia by Water Board Vote). The Water Control Board voted to delay granting a full approval until certain studies are completed next year–thereby slowing down the entire project. It was a disappointment to be sure. As disappointed as those of us who support fossil fuels and projects like Atlantic Coast are, we don’t tip over into threats of violence. However, the other side does. Just prior to the vote, someone or someones from the anti-pipeline anarchy movement (we’re not exaggerating, they call themselves anarchists–meaning those who don’t obey laws), draped a big, handwritten banner on the front porch of the vice chair of the State Water Control Board which said, “Stop Poisoning Our Community!” It was a threat. It was meant to bully her and make her feel unsafe and threatened in her own home. This is how some (an increasing number) on the other side behave. With threats and intimidation. And if that doesn’t work, with outright violence…
Read More “Anarchists Threaten VA Water Board Member at Her Home re Pipe Vote”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Hydraulic Fracturing | Industrywide Issues | Regulation | Statewide VA | Virginia

Antis Take Over Westmoreland County, VA, Aim to Ban Fracking
December 14, 2017December 14, 2017

Invasion of the body snatchers has become reality in Westmoreland County, Virginia. The Westmoreland Board of Supervisors passed amendments Monday night “to strictly limit gas and oil drilling.” However, that’s just a stopgap measure. The real aim is a full-out, flat-out ban on any kind of oil and gas drilling. Right after taking the vote, the illustrious body-snatched supervisors asked the county attorney to begin researching a moratorium they can enact without landing them in jail. Good luck with that. Virginia doesn’t have the Marcellus/Utica under it–at least not very much. But Virginia does have another shale layer–the Taylorsville. We commented back in 2014 that the state is inching closer to allowing fracking in the Taylorsville and other potential basins (see Virginia Inches Closer to Shale Drilling in Taylorsville Basin). They’re still inching–and it’s not going very fast. Anti-drilling radicals have risen up to oppose anything to do with shale in the state. Westmoreland isn’t the first location to be snatched. The first county in Virginia to become lawless in this regard was King George County, last summer (see King George County, VA Commits Fracking Suicide with Vote to Ban). In the spring, Augusta County followed suit (see Augusta County, VA Votes to Illegally Ban Fracking). And now the body snatchers are invading Westmoreland County. It’s always breathtaking, and disturbing, when a small group of individuals decide to take away the Constitutional property rights of their fellow citizens…
Read More “Antis Take Over Westmoreland County, VA, Aim to Ban Fracking”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Virginia

Atlantic Coast Pipeline Delayed in Virginia by Water Board Vote
December 13, 2017December 13, 2017

Last week Virginia’s Water Control Board issued a water permit/certification for the Mountain Valley Pipeline project–a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA (see Virginia Water Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe – Antis Erupt). Antis erupted with threats and bullying following that decision. Perhaps that was on the minds of Board members when they voted yesterday to “approve” Dominion’s $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) project–a $5 billion project from West Virginia through Virginia and into North Carolina. Water Control Board members voted 4-3 to approve issuing the same water permit/certification for the project, except there are very long strings attached. The Water Board’s approval is conditional, the condition being approval “is dependent on a final review of several environmental studies.” Those studies won’t be done until March or April of next year. ACP planned to begin construction, now, this year. So the Water Board wimped out–caved to pressure from bullying extremists (people who behaved like bullies at the hearing). The Board appeared to approve the project without actually approving it–have your cake and eat it too. There’s no way to sugarcoat that the Board’s non-approval approval yesterday is a (temporary) setback for ACP–and a (temporary) win for enviro Nazis…
Read More “Atlantic Coast Pipeline Delayed in Virginia by Water Board Vote”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Equitrans/EQT Midstream | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Virginia

Virginia Water Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe – Antis Erupt
December 8, 2017December 8, 2017

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–scored an important approval yesterday. Virginia’s Water Control Board issued a water permit/certification for the project. MVP, when built, will run through six Virginia counties. Prior to voting to approve the permit yesterday, the Water Control Board held a public hearing on Wednesday, largely so antis could spout off and feel better about themselves. Following yesterday’s vote, antis did what they always do–behaved like petulant, spoiled rotten children. At least one anti “screamed profanities at the board members and vowed to visit them where they live.” Yeah, bullying. Threats of violence. That’s the anti crowd for you. In early November the West Virginia Dept. of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) waived their right to issue a permit for MVP, instead deferring to the just-as-strict version of the permit issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers (see WVDEP Reverses, Waives Water Permit for Mountain Valley Pipeline). Here’s what happened yesterday in nutty Virginia…
Read More “Virginia Water Board Approves Mountain Valley Pipe – Antis Erupt”
Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Statewide WV | Virginia | West Virginia

Atlantic Coast Pipe Gets Key WV Approval; VA Approval Next Week?
December 8, 2017December 8, 2017

On Wednesday the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) “waived” the state’s authority under the federal Clean Water Act to determine if Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP) will harm rivers and streams, instead deferring to the US Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Nationwide permit. The USACE Nationwide permit has the same exact standards as found in the WV version–so there’s no need to duplicate the paperwork. This is not the first time WVDEP has deferred to the USACE’s permit. They did the same exact thing with a water crossing permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline project in November (see WV DEP Secretary Issues Letter Explaining MV Pipeline Decision). It’s pretty easy for antis to demagogue the issue, saying WV has “given up it’s right to regulate the project.” That is manifestly untrue. As WVDEP pointed out in November with Mountain Valley, and again on Wednesday with Atlantic Coast, “Waiving the 401 individual certification does not indicate that there will be fewer environmental requirements to which the ACP must adhere. The special West Virginia conditions that exist in the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Nationwide permit are designed to mirror what would be in a 401 individual certification issued by West Virginia. Under the Nationwide permit, enforcement would be left to federal agencies and would be limited to stream crossings.” WV’s approval of ACP is a major milestone, but not the only one required…
Read More “Atlantic Coast Pipe Gets Key WV Approval; VA Approval Next Week?”