gas pipeline
Gas pipeline project faces setback after court ruling
A federal appeals court vacated the approvals for a New Jersey gas pipeline project, forcing a reassessment of its necessity and environmental impact.
In short:
- The U.S. Court of Appeals ordered the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to reconsider the Regional Energy Access Expansion project.
- Environmentalists and state officials argued the project is unnecessary and harmful, citing an independent study showing sufficient gas capacity in New Jersey until beyond 2030.
- The court found the commission failed to consider the project's environmental impact, including significant greenhouse gas emissions.
Key quote:
“The record estimates enormous GHG emissions from the project for the next half century.”
— Judge J. Michelle Childs, U.S. Court of Appeals
Why this matters:
The ruling emphasizes the need for careful evaluation of energy projects to align with state policies on reducing greenhouse gases and ensuring consumer protection from unnecessary infrastructure costs.
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