Biden admin clears major West Virginia gas pipeline after weeks of criticism from Joe Manchin

The Biden administration is moving a 303-mile natural gas pipeline project through the regulatory process, allowing it to be constructed through a federal forest area.

"Under the proposed action, the Forest Service would amend the JNF Forest Plan as necessary to allow for the MVP to cross the JNF and concur in a decision by the [Bureau of Land Management] to grant a [right of way permit] and a [temporary use permit] under the [Mineral Leasing Act]," Agriculture Under Secretary Homer Wilkes wrote in the decision. Thomas Catenacci is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.

While the decision allows MVP developer Equitrans Midstream, a Pennsylvania-based natural gas transmission company, to construct the pipeline in the 3.5-mile stretch through the JNF, the Forest Service is requiring it to obtain any outstanding federal and state permits before beginning on construction.