ELR Citation: 56 ELR 20080
No(s). 26-1044 (4th Cir. Jun 11, 2026)

The Fourth Circuit denied environmental groups' motion for a stay pending review of a water quality certification issued by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) for a proposed extension of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The groups argued NCDEQ failed to rationally explain its prediction that the extension would not cause violations of water quality requirements, in light of the pipeline's history of noncompliance, and failed to include conditions that its hearing officer relied upon in recommending that it grant the certification. The court found the final three stay factors tilted modestly in the groups' favor, but that the groups failed to make a strong showing that they were likely to succeed on the merits of either of their arguments. It denied the motion.