Appeals Court In Virginia Dismisses Mountain Valley Pipeline Lawsuits

A federal appeals court in Richmond, Virginia, has dismissed two lawsuits over a controversial natural gas pipeline.

The Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed challenges to two construction permits for the 300-mile Mountain Valley Pipeline.

The move follows a ruling last month by the U.S. Supreme Court to allow construction to resume on the $6.6 billion project.

The pipeline’s opponents, including landowners and environmental groups, challenged permits issued by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The pipeline’s path crosses a section of the George Washington National Forest as well as the habitat of the candy darter, an endangered fish.

Opponents argue that the pipeline could compromise water quality, cause erosion and leak methane. Supporters say it’s vital to U.S. energy security.

As part of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which Congress passed in June, lawmakers required the completion of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.

The law also moved jurisdiction over future lawsuits against the pipeline from the Fourth Circuit to the D.C. Circuit.