Mountain Valley Pipeline LLC, developer of the contentious 2 million Dth/d, 300-mile natural gas conduit, plans to donate up to $19.5 million for conservation efforts in Virginia and West Virginia, where the unfinished pipeline is routed.

Mountain Valley Pipeline

The commitment is part of an agreement between the developer and conservation groups the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and the Conservation Fund aimed at supporting the ATC’s mission to manage and protect the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

MVP’s voluntary commitment, dedicated for use in West Virginia and southwestern Virginia, marks the largest sum earmarked for advancing conservation in a single geographic area in the ATC’s history, the group said.

“Ensuring that lands around the Appalachian Trail are conserved and...