FERC Backs Gas Pipeline After GHG Review But Eyes ‘Significance’ Policy

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has, for the first time, approved construction of a proposed natural gas pipeline after assessing its potential greenhouse gas impacts, though the commission will not have a broader policy framework for determining the “significance” of a project’s GHGs until it completes an ongoing proceeding. FERC’s March 18 decision to approve a request by Northern Natural Gas Company (NNGC) to build and operate 87.3 miles of replacement natural gas pipeline facilities marks an important step...