DEQ puts water resources in hands of pipeline builder with long history of polluting waterways

RICHMOND – Yesterday evening, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality announced it had approved erosion, stormwater and sediment control plans for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, planned to cross 106 miles of rugged, mountainous terrain in Southwest Virginia.

In response to yesterday’s action, Lee Francis, communications manager for the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, issued the following statement:

“A news release sent at 7 p.m. on Monday does not necessarily signal that DEQ is proud of this decision, nor should they be. State regulators have now put the fate of our clean water resources in the hands of a pipeline builder with a long track record of environmental violations. We urge Governor Northam to abide by his pledge to hold this project, and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, to the highest standards possible. Virginia’s already off to a bad start in this regard.”

About Us:

The Virginia League of Conservation Voters serves as the political voice of the state’s conservation community, working to make sure Virginia’s elected officials recognize that our natural heritage is an environmental and economic treasure for all. Virginia LCV works with conservation leaders across Virginia and strives for a conservation majority in state government. We secure good public policies on the state level and hold public officials accountable for their positions on environmental issues. For more information, visit www.valcv.org.