A June 22 federal appeals court decision to throw out Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval of an already built and operating natural gas pipeline adds new attention as the agency reconsiders its process to determine future need for such interstate lines.
The Washington, D.C., appellate court said that FERC failed to adequately balance public benefits with adverse impacts for the 65-mile, $287-million Spire STL pipeline—which links to the Rockies Express Pipeline system into St. Louis—when it says there was no new need for natural gas in the region, with flat demand seen for the next 20 years.