Gas company wins legal battle
SCRANTON - A federal judge Tuesday cleared a legal roadblock erected by environmental groups against a company building more than 20 miles of natural gas pipeline in Wayne and Pike counties.
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. LLC, which is constructing nearly 41 miles of pipeline in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, filed a complaint in federal court asking U.S. District Judge Robert D. Mariani to quash the environmental groups' attempt to appeal state permits the company was previously granted by the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission also OK'd the project.
In a 27-page opinion, Judge Mariani granted a preliminary injunction in favor of the company, preventing the hearing board from taking up the appeal.