The Mountain Valley Pipeline has received another round of fines in Virginia.
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has fined Mountain Valley Pipeline $30,500 for erosion control and water pollution violations.
The fines account for separate incidents that occurred as the pipeline was in pressure testing.
On May 1, a portion of the pipe ruptured, releasing an unknown volume of water and sediment and on June 4, a connecting hose broke, releasing more water as a round of pressure testing concluded.
Irina Calos, a spokeswoman for the agency, said the fines – totaling $13,000 – are related to the May and June incidents.
According to a letter from DEQ to MVP dated July 23, three levels of penalties applied, from $500, to $2,500, up to $6,500.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission gave authorization in late June for the 303-mile gas pipeline to begin operating.
Shawn Day, a spokesman for Mountain Valley Pipeline, said the letter was received as part of DEQ’s quarterly review of the project.
“The recent letter from VADEQ includes stipulated penalties for the second quarter of 2024, which were primarily related to issues involving the installation of erosion control devices,” he said. “These noted items were quickly resolved, and full payment will be made without dispute.”
