The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued surprise rulings on Friday night, October 13, 2017, issuing certificates authorizing both the 303-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline and the 600-mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline. Both pipelines were approved by only two commissioners on a panel that normally has five members.
The third sitting commissioner, former Chair Cheryl LaFleur, issued a dissenting opinion on both projects. She indicated that since both are intended to transport fracked gas under high pressure from the same location, northern West Virginia and will both connect to the Transco pipeline in Virginia, further study is needed, especially considering the impact it will have on the Appalachian environment. Commissioner LeFleur’s dissenting opinion was unusual, as the FERC generally issues unanimous decision.
The order came as somewhat of a surprise, given that the FERC had indicated in September that they would not be voting on major decisions until the two vacancies had been filled by new Presidential appointees, who are awaiting approval by the US Senate. In addition, the schedule for its October 19 public meeting of the Commission had been posted the day before the Friday night announcement and the MVP was not on the agenda.
The deadline for re-hearing this decision is November 12, 2017, 30 days after the authorization was issued. Several organizations, including Preserve Craig, Inc. have indicated they were appeal the ruling.
-Submitted by Preserve Craig, Inc.