Opponents of the Mountain Valley Pipeline continued their fight today in Roanoke, as protestors sought to greet Governor Terry McAuliffe with signs as he attended a business council meeting at the Hotel Roanoke.
Mountain Valley Pipeline officials have recently announced another alternate route for the projectslated to run from Wetzel County, West Virginia, to Pittsylvania County. This new option is said to avoid more sensitive geological areas – such as caves and forests. But it seems that no diversion will appease opponents – who gathered at the Hotel Roanoke to convey their message to the governor.
“Governor McAUliffe, who supports the Pipeline, is coming through and we want to let him know the pipeline is a very bad idea,” says Sue Crenshaw.
Donna Califas McDowell once worked in the petroleum refining industry: “This pipeline is possibly slated to go through an area which has a number of species that are extremely rare. The Appalachian area that it's going through is known as a biodiversity area that has species found no where else.”
Carly, age 7, was part of the crowd: “I don't want the pipeline to be in our area because it could make it so the streams and waters aren't as nice as they usually are, and it could sometimes be dangerous.”
“For me, I'm a professional wetlands scientist. And I could go over many reasons – from wetlands to streams – that could be effected. But to me, the main problem is property rights.” says Dave Tribble, resident of the Bent Mountain area.
Carolyn Reily is with Preserve Franklin County and owns Four Corners Farm, which is situated along the route. “As a landowner, I've dealt with survey letters requesting to come on our property. We've dealt with markers on our creeks that they've trespassed after we've sent in a certified letter saying 'do not enter our property.'”
“My brothers live on Bent Mountain in Roanoke County on land that's been in our family for 7 generations. I'm here because I voted for Governor McAuliffe, and I'm very disappointed that he supports the pipeline.” says Grace Terry.
McAuliffe told reporters that he supports the pipeline as it would bring Virginia the “cheapest energy in the country,” and has said it would provide a cleaner alternative to coal-generated power.
