Good news for MVP, but permitting reform still needed

In our steadfast support of this project, we have made clear that the Mountain Valley Pipeline is an example of the type of infrastructure necessary to provide the energy resources needed to power this great country.

With this project more than 94% complete, the issuance of the U.S. Forest Service permit on Monday and a right-of-way and temporary use permit from the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management on Thursday are key developments that give hope that finally the efforts of U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., his counterpart, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, and other like-minded leaders in Washington are finally paying off.

Manchin noted the arrival of the double dose of good news, remarking Friday that this is the “second time this week that the administration (of President Joe Biden) has supported the Mountain Valley Pipeline.”

“Yesterday’s approval by the Bureau of Land Management of MVP’s right-of-way is the next step in the process to finally complete this vital piece of energy infrastructure that will strengthen our energy and national security, boost the economy in West Virginia and benefit the entire nation by bringing more than 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas online daily that will help power homes and businesses,” Manchin said.

“The process to finally finish MVP has been long, and it isn’t over yet — but yesterday’s announcement and the Forest Service’s approval earlier this week is a sign that the Administration is finally realizing that the completion of MVP is vital for our nation.”

Manchin has used his position as chair of the powerful Senate Energy Committee to keep the issue at the forefront and other leaders have joined the choir of those singing the importance of the project, including U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who in late April wrote a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

“While the Department takes no position regarding the outstanding agency actions required under federal or state law related to the construction of the MVP project, nor on any pending litigation, we submit the view that the MVP project will enhance the Nation’s critical infrastructure for energy and national security,” Granholm wrote.

“We appreciate the Commission’s prompt actions to fulfill its regulatory responsibilities regarding natural gas infrastructure under the Natural Gas Act, and the interagency coordination it provides as the lead federal agency for the project under FAST-41.”

While it is great to see positive momentum on the MVP project, it still remains abundantly clear that Congress must address the permitting process for all energy projects.

This is not to show favor to longstanding energy resources like natural gas or coal, but also to allow for the transmission lines to be in place to carry solar, wind and nuclear energy to the locations it will be needed.

As the nation continues a transition to include more environmentally friendly power generating resources, we must have a better regulatory system in place — one that will protect the people and environment without delaying much needed projects to get power to the people.

Hopefully the efforts of Manchin, Capito and others will continue to move the MVP Pipeline as well as permitting reform forward.

It is paramount to furthering the quality of life, health, economic development and national security of this country.