Plastic coating on pipe segments far exceeds safe exposure time interval
Posting from the Greenbriar River Watershed Association, August 23, 2023
Please take a moment NOW sign this petition to FERC to Pause MVP Construction until serious pipeline safety concerns are met.
For years, community members have warned of the dangers of the Mountain Valley Pipeline — from harm to streams, to the destruction of steep mountains and threat to endangered species. They’re also alarmed by the dangers posed by the condition of pipeline construction materials that have sat uncovered in sunlight for up to six years in some cases.
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun degrades the epoxy coating of the pipe and can lead to a greater risk of weld failures, cracks, leaks and explosion. For years, residents have documented the failure of MVP to protect construction materials from exposure to the elements.
On August 11, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the agency tasked with monitoring the pipeline, issued a safety order for the project. The agency expressed concern with reporting practices, the length of time the pipe was exposed to sun, the topography of the area and potential land movement, and the lack of corrosion protection for in-ground pipe.
MVP has 30 days to reply to PHMSA’s findings, but residents are growing more concerned as developers rush to put pipe in the ground ahead of their deadline to respond. Tell federal regulators to pause construction while these safety review standards are met.
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Construction Status Note: Construction has been non-stop (literally around-the-clock) in areas of Virginia as MVP appears to be racing to bury as much pipe as possible before being held to account. Work in Monroe and Summers is ramping up as well. The Petition to Pause Construction is available.
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