Environmental activists are hailing the introduction of a measure in Congress designed to enhance safety and transparency involving the transport of natural gas.
The bill was recently filed by Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts. Among its provisions is the establishment of a national Office of Public Engagement.
Jessica Sims, a Virginia field coordinator for the grassroots Appalachian Voices organization, says adding an engagement office could help local communities get facts more quickly about the risks and environmental impacts of the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
“It's months and months of waiting for that information," she says. "And we find that to be a great difficulty because those experiencing pipelines coming through their area want to be as well informed, as quickly and as fully as they can.”
The roughly 300-mile pipeline became operational in June. It runs from West Virginia into southern Virginia, and an extension is planned that would cross the border into Rockingham County.
Supporters of the gas pipeline say it will help meet public demand for clean and affordable energy.