December 21 is the last day to tell the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to say NO to drilling under dozens of Appalachian mountain streams and rivers for a fracked gas pipeline.
This is a crucial moment in the fight to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline . If the FERC turns down the developers’ request to bend the rules for this insane project, it could not only protect the waterways but stop the whole pipeline for good.
The MVP is a 303 mile long fracked gas pipeline from Wetzel County, West Virginia, to Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Along the way it would cross the Appalachian trail, more than 1000 rivers and streams, and require clear-cutting wide tracks of the Appalachian mountains.
For years resistance has built against the MVP — including countless community rallies, several long-standing tree sits, and blockades by activists. Due in part to that diligent work, the MVP is behind schedule and $2 billion over budget.
The MVP owners are afraid that if FERC doesn’t let them bend the rules so they can continue construction by drilling under all these streams and waterways, investors will get cold feet and abandon the project.
That’s exactly what happened to the Atlantic Coast Pipeline earlier this year. And that’s why it’s so important that FERC not grant this variance right now: Not only is it irresponsible and dangerous to let MVP construction continue during the pandemic right now, but saying no at this critical juncture could just stop the pipeline for good!
Get more info and sign the petition here