Developers of the Mountain Valley Pipeline have filed an emergency application with Chief Justice John Roberts of the Supreme Court, seeking permission to continue construction on the natural gas project.
The request comes in response to a federal court order from the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals that temporarily halted construction, a decision which the developers argue conflicts with a law enacted by Congress guaranteeing the completion of the pipeline.
The pipeline developers assert that the Fourth Circuit exceeded its jurisdiction in granting the halt and that Congress has since ratified the actions of the relevant agencies, thereby superseding any legal basis for the court’s decision. The developers contend that the order from the appellate court goes against Congress’ mandate and request the Supreme Court to vacate the order, allowing construction on the project to proceed.