Source: John Murawski, NEWS & OBSERVER, 12/13/18


A federal appeals has thrown out another key permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, increasing the likelihood that work on the 604-mile multi-state project could be held up until this summer if not longer. The appeals court in Richmond on Thursday invalidated a federal permit for the planned pipeline to cross 21 miles of national forest in Virginia, including a section of the Appalachian Trail. The court said that the U.S. Forest Service ignored federal law and its own agency rules in granting the permit, which will clear a 125-swath of habitat during construction and leave a 50-foot wide lane in perpetuity for maintenance.

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