New Gas Pipelines Draw Fresh Scrutiny by Energy Regulators (1)

U.S. energy regulators plan to look more closely at the economic need and environmental impacts of new interstate natural gas pipelines—a consequential update of a 23-year-old policy that underpins federal pipeline reviews.

Gas pipeline reviews will take into account a proposed project’s effect on climate change, look at a wider set of impacts on landowners and environmental justice communities, and scrutinize the economic need for a project beyond its contracts with shippers, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission announced Thursday.

The American Gas Association criticized FERC’s action, which was approved 3-2, with three Democrats in favor and two Republicans opposing. Republican ...