FERC Pipeline Expansion Approval Survives Legal Challenges (1)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Tuesday prevailed against challenges from multiple parties over its orders approving a Pacific Northwest natural gas expansion project.

“We deny each petition for review,” the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit said.

Environmental groups, states, and a pipeline company challenged different aspects of the orders. Columbia Riverkeeper and Rogue Climate opposed FERC’s approval of a Natural Gas Act certificate to Gas Transmission Northwest Inc. allowing expansion of an existing gas pipeline crossing through Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

They claimed FERC’s environmental impact ...