Overview of the Project
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC, formally applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in fall 2015 for authorization
to build a 301-mile interstate natural gas transmission pipeline. Montgomery County filed for intervenor status shortly afterward. View the unofficial map for the latest route proposal through Montgomery County.
On October 13, 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline project (MVP). The pipeline will stretch approximately 303 miles from Wetzel County, West Virginia to Pittsylvania County in Virginia’s
Southside region. The pipeline will carry natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shale regions (which spans from New York to West Virginia) to markets in the Mid and South Atlantic regions of the United States.
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC (MVP) is a joint venture between EQT Corporation (EQT) and NextEra US Gas Assets, LCC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc. The joint venture was created to develop a pipeline to take natural gas from the Marcellus
and Utica shale regions to markets in the Mid- and South Atlantic region.
Montgomery County's Role
Approximately 19.5 miles of the Mountain Valley Pipeline's 303 miles will be located in Montgomery County. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in conjunction with other federal and state agencies, performs the approval process for
the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). As a local governing body, Montgomery County Board of Supervisors has no authority in the approval process of the MVP project.
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors is on record opposing the MVP project in Montgomery County. The county can help provide information to which it has access that is related to MVP. In addition, the county has taken steps to ensure the safety
of it citizens as outlined below.
Emergency Services
- The county's Emergency Services and County Fire and Rescue Departments have met several times with safety personnel for both the operators (EQM Midstream Partners, NextEra Capital Holdings, Con Edison Transmission, WGL Midstream and RGC Midstream) and Precision Pipeline, Inc, the contractor constructing the pipeline.
- County Emergency Services has a complete understanding of the pipeline project and are prepared to respond to any emergency that may arise.
- County Emergency Services have been made aware of all the road access points to the project work zones and have procedures in place once fire and rescue are dispatched.
- The contractor has stated that no heavy truck traffic will interfere with daily school bus routes.
Law Enforcement
- The Sheriff's Office is aware of the MVP project and knows the procedures for handling any MVP-related issues or concerns.
- The mission of the Sheriff's Office is to ensure the safety of everyone. If a property owner believes their land is being trespassed upon, at the property owner's request, a Sheriff's deputy will respond and make a report of the incident.
- It is the policy of the Montgomery County Sheriff that deputies are not permitted to work as private security of any organization. This prohibition includes the MVP project.
- If it is an emergency, call 911. Otherwise, individuals with complaints concerning an alleged trespass, threats of violence, or noise complaints should contact the 911 Center at 540-382-4343 and request to speak with a deputy. Each situation will
be handled depending on the specific set of circumstances involved.
Planning & Zoning
- Land use: Planning & Zoning - The county cannot regulate the pipeline's construction through zoning to due to the Federal authorization process. However, any land use not approved as part of the FERC approval process is subject
to the county's ordinances. This includes zoning, site plans, and/or flood plain requirements that apply and permits will be issued once compliance is determined. If a site plan is required, the full Development Review team will provide a review.
This review includes ensuring compliance with the following regulations: zoning, floodplain, erosion and sediment control, stormwater, water/sewer, and roads.
- Roads: Planning & GIS Services communicates regularly with staff at VDOT to stay informed about road impacts such as entrances and temporary closures that may be needed during construction. The county staff can help citizens
get to the appropriate VDOT staff member if a citizens sees issues, or they can contact VDOT directly using: my.vdot.virginia.gov or
800-FOR-ROAD. As part of the review process, VDOT has reviewed all proposed road crossings and entrances in order to ensure their requirements are met. Additionally, as part of their permit process, VDOT requires sureties in place to address impacts
to public roads and will conduct periodic inspections.