Supreme Court Ruling Brings , Mountain Valley Pipeline, Closer to Completion.<br />On July 27, the United States Supreme Court removed <br />one of the obstacles holding off the completion <br />of the long-delayed Mountain Valley Pipeline.<br />On July 27, the United States Supreme Court removed <br />one of the obstacles holding off the completion <br />of the long-delayed Mountain Valley Pipeline.<br />Reuters reports that the decision comes as a blow <br />to environmental groups opposed to the natural <br />gas pipeline which stretches across Virginia.<br />Supreme Court justices granted Mountain Valley <br />Pipeline's request to lift stays that had delayed <br />the completion of the 303-mile pipeline.<br />Supreme Court justices granted Mountain Valley <br />Pipeline's request to lift stays that had delayed <br />the completion of the 303-mile pipeline.<br />Reuters reports that the final, uncompleted<br />3.5 miles of pipeline cuts through the <br />federally-owned Jefferson National Forest.<br />Since construction began in 2018, the $6.6 billion <br />project has faced numerous legal battles.<br />Earlier this month, a lower Virginia-based court blocked <br />the construction of the final section of pipeline <br />while reviewing the project's federal approvals.<br />In June, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission <br />granted authorization to restart construction. .<br />Reuters reports that the pipeline is largely viewed <br />as a critical step toward tapping into the United States' largest shale gas-producing site, Appalachia.<br />However, environmentalists have argued <br />that the project will harm soil and water quality <br />while also increasing use of the fossil fuel, <br />which is a major greenhouse gas emitter.<br />Reuters reports that the Mountain Valley project is one <br />of numerous pipelines that have faced regulatory and <br />legal battles resulting in delays and cancellations
