An Environmental Justice Analysis on the Development of the Mountain Valley Pipeline

Keywords: Environmental justice, legal violence, participatory analysis, case analysis, industrial development
Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract
Day: Saturday
Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada))
Room: Virtual 20

Abstract

In the mid-Atlantic United States, the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project has shown gross negligence towards the principles of environmental justice. The actions taken in the wake of its construction have incurred legal, social, and industrial violence on vulnerable communities along its path and damaged or destroyed the natural landscapes of both West Virginia and Virginia. Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC, the conglomerate organization intent on the construction of the pipeline project, is currently working to push into North Carolina via the Southgate Extension in Pittsylvania, VA, which if allowed entry will endanger wetlands and communities in its path throughout. To understand the consequences of these actions on the social and environmental landscape, I use participatory analysis to better understand the personal impacts of the Mountain Valley Pipeline as well as case analysis of documentary and legal material. I also take the time to examine the state, local, and federal scales of governance with which many nonprofit organizations have worked with over the years to raise awareness and slow the progress of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Furthermore, I conclude that the perceived benefits of the Mountain Valley Pipeline are in no way comparable to the costs that have resulted in the construction of the main line alone. At nearly $3 billion over budget and over three years behind schedule, the pipeline project should not be allowed to continue.