FERC appeals court's ruling in pipeline climate decision

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission asked a federal court Friday to end its ruling blocking construction of a natural gas pipeline project in Florida in a major case that could hold sway over all future pipeline projects.

FERC said it has complied with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeal’s Aug. 22 decision to redo its original environmental review for the pipeline, taking into consideration the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from the power plants that the pipeline would supply. A three-judge panel killed FERC’s permit that allowed a pipeline to be built in Florida because it said the commission did not consider the effects of climate change caused by the natural gas that would be shipped through the project.