API applauds Circuit Court decision to allow pipeline project to proceed and help deliver energy to millions of Virginians

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 20, 2019 – The American Petroleum Institute issued the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit upheld the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) order approving the Mountain Valley Pipeline project, which will deliver natural gas from West Virginia to Virginia once completed.

“We’re pleased that the D.C. Circuit Court reaffirmed FERC’s role in the pipeline permitting process, making it clear that their scope of review is still correct,” said Robin Rorick, Vice President of Midstream and Industry Operations. “The safety of our communities and the environment is industry’s highest priority, which can be accomplished through adopting industry standards, a strong compliance culture, best practices, as well as using advanced technologies and tools. FERC conducted a thorough environmental impact study that looked at everything from groundwater to surrounding communities’ cultural attachments, and the Court’s decision underscored that no further assessments are needed to ensure a safe path forward for the project’s completion.”

“Pipelines like the Mountain Valley project make our nation more energy secure, grow the economy, and create jobs in the mid-Atlantic, all while transporting the products that Americans need to power their daily lives safely, and are pleased that the project can move forward to completion.”

API represents all segments of America’s oil and natural gas industry. Our more than 600 members produce, process and distribute most of the nation’s energy. The industry supports more than ten million U.S. jobs and is backed by a growing grassroots movement of millions of Americans. API was formed in 1919 as a standards-setting organization. In our first 100 years, API has developed more than 700 standards to enhance operational and environmental safety, efficiency and sustainability.

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