ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Federal regulators have cleared the way for a 124-mi. natural gas pipeline to move forward despite New York's denial of a water quality permit that had blocked the project.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled Aug. 28 that the state Department of Environmental Conservation missed a one-year deadline when it rejected the permit in 2016.
The 30-in.-wide pipeline, called the Constitution Pipeline, would run from Pennsylvania's shale gas fields to eastern New York. Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Williams Partners appealed to federal courts after New York rejected a water quality permit over concerns for 250 streams. It appealed to FERC after losing court challenges.
Williams spokesman Christopher Stockton said the project sponsors are evaluating their next steps. He said it still needs a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
New York said it will fight the decision.
