MVP is back for more!

The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), has announced a new project called “MVP Boost”. This prospective project would expand the capacity of the existing MVP mainline.

MVP Boost plans to…

The MVP Boost project is designed to expand the capacity of the Mainline system by increasing compression at the three existing compressor stations in West Virginia.
EQT announced that as a part of their expansion project a new compressor station in Montgomery County, VA would be constructed.
MVP has been operational since June 2024 without a compressor station in VA.
The MVP Boost project is designed to expand the capacity of the Mainline system by 500,000 Dth/day (~500 MMcf/day).

What is a compressor station?

A compressor station is an above-ground facility that pumps methane gas through a pipeline system. They are placed strategically along transmission pipeline systems in order for the gas to reach the next delivery points.

On interstate pipelines like MVP, these stations are regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) while the air emissions from these stations are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state permitting authorities.

What do we know so far?

During its July 22, 2025 earnings presentation, EQT announced “an expansion of the Mainline via the addition of a new compressor station in Montgomery County, Virginia”. In 2021, Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC bought 64.5 acres at 6684 Cove Hollow Road, Elliston, VA and has since confirmed the site to be the proposed Swann compressor station location.

MVP LLC has been mailing information to some residents and stakeholders in the vicinity of the project. In these mailings and at MVP Boost’s website, MVP shares they will file for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with FERC by the end of 2025, with a target in service date for mid-2028.

What does this mean and why does it matter?

Community Concerns

Community members in this area have already voiced strong opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline and its associated compressor station, citing safety, health, and environmental concerns.

Locals are still experiencing issues from the MVP mainline and have valid safety concerns about pipeline integrity (see Barnhill v. Mountain Valley Pipeline, LLC et al.)

Risks of Compressor Stations

Accident Risks: Compressor stations experience ruptures, leakages, fire and explosions. These facilities are unstaffed, relying on remote technology to detect accidents.
Pollution and Health Risks: Most compressor stations burn methane gas to run, releasing harmful pollutants such as:
- Nitrogen oxides (NOx)
- Fine particulate matter
- Carbon monoxide (CO)
- Benzene and Formaldehyde
  These pollutants are linked to asthma, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, cancer, and shorter life expectancy.
  Compressor stations also generate significant noise and vibrations even at night - to the point of causing quality of life impacts and interfering with local wildlife.

No Local Benefit

This proposed compressor station does not provide residential or business gas service to the local community. Residents are being asked to take on the health and environmental risks without receiving any of the benefits.

In 2021, Virginia’s Air Pollution Control Board denied the air permit for the proposed Lambert Compressor Station, a part of the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate Extension in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

The Board determined the Lambert application improperly endangered communities with environmental burdens and failed to comply with legal precedent and statutory requirements, read more. This decision sets a legal and regulatory precedent for challenging permits on environmental justice grounds and strengthens arguments against the proposed Swann Compressor Station, particularly given its similar impact on vulnerable communities.