ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has given the green light for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Southgate extension, clearing the way for a 5.2-mile natural gas pipeline in Rockingham County.

The Division of Water Resources issued a Clean Water Act Section 401 certification Thursday, determining the project would meet state water quality standards if the company follows conditions designed to protect waterways, wildlife, recreation areas, agriculture and water supplies.

The decision follows a months-long review that included more than 2,400 public comments and an Aug. 12 public hearing. The proposal has faced opposition since the original Mountain Valley Pipeline was introduced in 2018, with residents citing potential impacts to local waterways, includi

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