A majority of Virginians have expressed support for completing construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, according to another statewide survey conducted by respected pollster Mason-Dixon Polling & Strategy.
The survey, involving 625 registered Virginia voters in December 2020, showed support remains strongest for the infrastructure project in the region where it is being built: Roanoke and Southwest Virginia.
About two-thirds of respondents in the Roanoke region support the Mountain Valley Pipeline. In other surveys conducted by Mason-Dixon since January 2017, support for the project in that region has ranged from 61 percent to 74 percent. Each survey has asked respondents the same question:
“The proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline would transport natural gas underground from West Virginia to Virginia to help meet the demand for energy in homes and businesses in various regions of Virginia and the southeastern United States. Do you support or oppose construction and operation of the Mountain Valley Pipeline?”
In the most recent survey, the project garnered at least 55 percent support in every region of Virginia except for Northern Virginia, where supporters and opponents split at 42 percent.
“Mountain Valley Pipeline is important for our region’s future. As indicated by these latest survey results, most people agree,” said Joyce Waugh, president and CEO of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.“ This critical infrastructure will play a significant role in helping to position Virginia’s Blue Ridge Region to recruit and retain employers.”
The MVP project spans 303 miles between Wetzel County, West Virginia, and Pittsylvania County, Virginia, where it will terminate at an interconnect at Transco’s compressor station. The project also will provide natural gas to meet local demand in the Roanoke Valley.
“The Mountain Valley Pipeline is absolutely necessary to meet the growing energy needs of residents and employers across the Roanoke Valley and Southwest Virginia,” said Paul Nester, president of Roanoke Gas Co. “Access to the MVP in Montgomery and Franklin counties will ensure our region has a reliable and adequate supply of energy to fuel this region’s exciting future.”
Upon its completion, the Mountain Valley Pipeline will generate more than $7 million in new ad valorem tax revenues to counties along the route in Virginia, and nearly $17 million in new ad valorem tax revenues to counties along the route in West Virginia.
Work on the Mountain Valley Pipeline project is more than 92 percent complete, with all work on the three compressor stations and three interconnect facilities complete, and more than 264 miles of pipe welded and in place. Half of the right of way has been fully restored. The project is targeting completion in late 2021.