Continues to Target a Full In-Service for 2019; Reiterates
$4.6 Billion
Cost Estimate
PITTSBURGH
--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
, (Mountain Valley) today announced a 2018 year-end project update, supporting its targeted fourth quarter 2019 full in-service date and reaffirming a total Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) project cost estimate of
$4.6 billion.
Mountain Valley expects to have approximately 70% of the MVP project complete by year-end, which includes the welding of nearly 58% of the pipeline and the ongoing construction work of all compressor stations and interconnects that are expected to be complete by February. Most recently, MVP construction crews have been focused on stabilizing the right-of-way for the winter season.
“Construction of MVP began in
February 2018
and, despite various setbacks and unprecedented weather conditions, we have made substantial progress this year," said
Diana Charletta
, Chief Operating Officer, Equitrans Midstream Corporation. "We appreciate the expertise and oversight of the
West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
and
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
, as well as other state and federal agencies that have helped guide our construction activities. The MVP project team takes its environmental stewardship responsibilities very seriously and we will continue to comply with the laws and regulations related to the safe and responsible construction of our MVP project.”
Since the onset of the project more than four years ago, MVP has retained five key stakeholder priorities: design a route with the least overall impact to landowners and communities; minimize impacts to sensitive species and preserve cultural, historical, and environmental resources, including streams and wetlands; construct the pipeline in the safest manner possible; maintain high levels of environmental protection at all times; and ensure the safety of MVP’s landowners, communities, inspectors, employees, and contractors.
Activities related to MVP’s construction have brought an economic boost to local businesses, restaurants, and hotels – generating additional revenue and creating jobs. Additionally, and in support of communities along the route, MVP established a local giving program in mid-2017. MVP’s community support program provides sponsorships and donations to charitable organizations and community events that focus on STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics); environmental stewardship; civic and community; or arts and culture. During the past 18 months, MVP has donated nearly
$400,000
to local organizations and community associations along the 303-mile route.
The MVP project team is committed to the safety of its communities, to the preservation and protection of the environment, and to the continued responsible construction of this important natural gas infrastructure project that will serve homes and business in the mid-
Atlantic
and southeast
United States
.
About Mountain Valley Pipeline
The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) is a proposed underground, interstate natural gas pipeline system that spans approximately 303 miles from northwestern
West Virginia
to southern
Virginia
. Subject to approval and regulatory oversight by the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
, the MVP will be constructed and owned by
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
– a joint venture of
EQM Midstream Partners, LP
;
NextEra US Gas Assets, LLC
;
Con Edison Transmission, Inc.
;
WGL Midstream, Inc.
; and
RGC Midstream, LLC
. The MVP was designed to transport clean-burning natural gas from the prolific Marcellus and
Utica
shale regions to the growing demand markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast areas of
the United States
. Targeting a full in-service during the fourth quarter 2019,
EQM Midstream Partners, LP
(NYSE:EQM), primary interest owner, will operate the pipeline. From planning and development, to construction and in-service operation – MVP is dedicated to the safety of its communities, employees, and contractors; and to the preservation and protection of the environment.
Visit
www.mountainvalleypipeline.info
Cautionary Statements
Disclosures in this news release contain certain forward-looking statements that do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and are forward-looking. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, forward-looking statements contained in this news release specifically include the expectations of plans, strategies, objectives and growth, and anticipated financial and operational performance of
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
, including guidance regarding the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP); the expected cost and targeted in-service date of the MVP; the progress on construction of the MVP’s facilities and pipelines; the expected impact of litigation and regulatory proceedings on the project; and MVP’s efforts related to safety and environmental protection. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from projected results. Accordingly, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results.
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
has based these forward-looking statements on current expectations and assumptions about future events. While
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, and other risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are beyond its control. The risks and uncertainties that may affect the operations, performance, and results of
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
and forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:
The business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could suffer if
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
does not proceed with projects under development or is unable to complete the construction of, or capital improvements to, its facilities and pipelines on schedule or within budget.
The ability to complete construction of, and capital improvements to, facilities on schedule and within budget may be adversely affected by escalating costs for materials and labor and regulatory compliance, inability to obtain or renew necessary licenses, rights-of-way, permits or other approvals on acceptable terms or on schedule, disputes involving contractors, labor organizations, land owners, governmental entities, environmental groups, Native American and aboriginal groups, and other third parties, negative publicity, transmission interconnection issues, adverse weather conditions and other factors. If any development project or construction or capital improvement project is not completed, is delayed or is subject to cost overruns, certain associated costs may not be approved for recovery or recoverable through regulatory mechanisms that may otherwise be available, and
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
could become obligated to make delay or termination payments or become obligated for other damages under contracts, could experience the loss of tax credits or tax incentives, or delayed or diminished returns, and could be required to write-off all or a portion of its investment in the project. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
may face risks related to project siting, financing, construction, permitting, governmental approvals and the negotiation of project development agreements that may impede its development and operating activities.
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
must periodically apply for licenses and permits from various local, state, federal and other regulatory authorities and abide by their respective conditions.
Should Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
be unsuccessful in obtaining necessary licenses or permits on acceptable terms, should there be a delay in obtaining or renewing necessary licenses or permits or should regulatory authorities initiate any associated investigations or enforcement actions or impose related penalties or disallowances on
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC
, Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects could be materially adversely affected. Any failure to negotiate successful project development agreements for new facilities with third parties could have similar results.
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s gas infrastructure facilities and other facilities are subject to many operational risks. Operational risks could result in, among other things, lost revenues due to prolonged outages, increased expenses due to monetary penalties or fines for compliance failures, liability to third parties for property and personal injury damage, a failure to perform under applicable sales agreements and associated loss of revenues from terminated agreements or liability for liquidated damages under continuing agreements. The consequences of these risks could have a material adverse effect on Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.
Uncertainties and risks inherent in operating and maintaining
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC's
facilities include, but are not limited to, risks associated with facility start-up operations, such as whether the facilities will achieve projected operating performance on schedule and otherwise as planned.
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects can be materially adversely affected by weather conditions, including, but not limited to, the impact of severe weather.
Threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyber-attacks, or individuals and/or groups attempting to disrupt Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s business, or the businesses of third parties, may materially adversely affect Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects
.
View source version on
businesswire.com
:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181213005140/en/
Mountain Valley Pipeline media inquiries:
Natalie Cox
ncox@equitransmidstream.com
Source:
Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC