WASHINGTON, May 28 (Reuters) – U.S. energy company Equitrans Midstream Corp’s (ETRN.N) long-delayed $6.6 billion Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline could win federal approval as part of Washington’s debt limit deal.
Streamlined federal approval for the 303-mile (488-km) project was placed into the text of the budget deal between U.S. President Joe Biden and House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy that may end the debt limit crisis.
The pipeline is backed by Democratic West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin, whose vote is often needed since the Democrats hold a thin majority in that body.
The pipeline’s approval has been delayed amid negative court rulings and has been opposed by environmental groups. The text of the House budget bill expedites the pipeline’s federal permits and limits judicial review.
In early May, Equitrans said it could finish the pipe by the end of 2023, but noted “there remains significant risk and uncertainty, including regarding current and likely litigation.”
