Pipeline-sector observers are watching whether a U.S. appellate court ruling, which last month canceled federal approval of a $3.2-billion Florida natural-gas line and two others for not adequately considering the projects’ contribution to greenhouse-gas emissions, could affect approvals of other planned projects.

Legislation directs DOT to write safety standards for natural-gas storage facilities and gives it authority to issue broad emergency orders.

Natural-gas group's "midpoint" estimate for pipelines and related capital spending is down from 2014 forecast.