According to a company release on August 2, U.S. energy company Equitrans Midstream Corp. anticipates finishing the $6.6 billion Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline from West Virginia to Virginia in the second half of 2023.
The company decided to complete this project after the announcement on August 1 that Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Manchin honored a commitment from President Joe Biden, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to permit the long-delayed Mountain Valley to be finished.
Manchin's agreement and the announcement increased Equitrans shares by over 10% to a three-month high of $8.72 on August 2.
It is important to notice, that Mountain Valley is the sole big gas pipe under construction in Appalachia and one of some U.S. pipeline projects delayed by regulatory and legal arguments with environmental and local groups. These fights prevent federal permit problems issued during President Donald Trump's administration.
As Appalachia is the nation's biggest shale gas basin, this project is vital point to unlocking more gas supplies. Equitrans admits that the Mountain Valley venture was engaged in the permitting process with the relevant federal agencies for the outstanding permits required to complete the project.
A few agencies still need to reissue permits, including the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Biological Opinion), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management (Right-of-Way across Jefferson National Forest).
Moreover, lots of those permits were dismissed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and even some more than once.
At the beginning of Mountain Valley construction in February 2018, Equitrans valued the 303-mile (488-km), 2 Bcf/d project would cost approximately $3.5 billion and enter service by late 2018.
Equitrans has said the pipeline was 94% completed. The company has a 48.1% ownership interest in Mountain Valley and will operate the pipeline. Mountain Valley is owned by units of Equitrans, NextEra Energy Inc., Consolidated Edison Inc., AltaGas Ltd., and RGC Resources Inc.
One of the challenges to safe pipeline operations is associated with accidental damage caused by excavation, directional drilling, construction, farming activities, or even homeowners digging in their yards. Equitrans Midstream Corporation (ETRN) helps customers to prevent pipeline emergencies that are caused by accidental damage to the pipeline system.
As part of the commitment to local communities, ETRN has dedicated resources to develop and implement damage prevention initiatives focused on maintaining the integrity of its pipelines and the safety of individuals working in proximity to ETRN's pipelines and facilities.
