"Environmental groups asked the Fourth Circuit during oral arguments Tuesday to toss a key water permit for the Mountain Valley Pipeline, which would lead to even more delays for the $6.2 billion project that developers aim to resume constructing this summer.

The Sierra Club, Appalachian Voices, and eight other conservation groups sued the Virginia State Water Control Board, alleging that its approval of a state water protection permit and water quality certification violated the Clean Water Act.

Derek Teaney of Appalachian Mountain Advocates, arguing on behalf of the conservation groups, told judges that the state failed to consider practicable alternatives for the stream crossings and disregarded expert critical commentary—rendering the certification arbitrary and capricious."

Samantha Hawkins reports for Bloomberg Environment January 24, 2023. [2]