Dominion Energy has stopped work on 100 miles of the 600-mile Atlantic Coast natural gas pipeline following a court decision vacating a permit related to threatened and endangered species, while an effort continues to force a work stoppage on the entire project.
Construction on the $2.5-billion Mariner East 2 pipeline in Pennsylvania has resumed following a month-long state investigation into numerous environmental permit violations that resulted in a $12.6-million civil penalty against Sunoco Pipeline LLP.
Keystone XL developer TransCanada says it is reviewing the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s 3-2 decision approving an alternative route for the XL pipeline through the state.
Though the new chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission—the agency responsible for approving massive natural-gas pipelines—is making progress clearing a six-month backlog of such projects, he may be hamstrung by procedures put in place by the Obama administration and by at least one fellow commissioner.
A logjam of construction approvals for major natural gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities and other projects could loosen by the end of the summer if the Senate approves two Republicans whom President Trump nominated May 8 to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
