ROANOKE, Va. (AP) - Regulators in Virginia want to fine Mountain Valley Pipeline $86,000 for what they say are continued environmental violations.
The Roanoke Times reported Monday that the fine would be for alleged violations that occurred after Mountain Valley paid a $2.15 million settlement last year over similar infractions.
Construction work on the project began more than two years ago. And the digging of trenches to bury a natural gas pipeline in the mountains has caused problems with erosion. Harmful sediment has been washed onto nearby properties and into streams and rivers.
The settlement covered violations through Sept. 18, 2019. But the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality says that more violations occurred since then and stretched into March.
Mountain Valley spokeswoman Natalie Cox told the newspaper that the fine “has not yet been decided or paid due to ongoing discussions” about the alleged violations.
In the meantime, construction on the 303-mile pipeline is suspended. Mountain Valley is seeking to regain key permits that were vacated or suspended following court challenges by environmental groups.
The company has said that the pipeline would be completed by early next year.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.