Doug Jackson, 202.495.3045 or doug.jackson@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, the Sierra Club issues the following regarding continued efforts by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC to sidestep a court’s order to vacate the pipeline Certificate, which would have the effect of shutting the pipeline down.
On January 31, 2018, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied requests from the pipeline companies and FERC to reconsider the consequences of its order requiring a new analysis of the pipeline’s environmental impacts. The court vacated the FERC Certificate that allows operation of the pipeline, and this causes the court’s mandate to be issued in seven days, or on February 7, 2018. The mandate should require the Sabal Trail Pipeline be shut down while FERC completes a thorough and complete Environmental Impact Study (EIS) that addresses downstream emissions and, if it finds it appropriate after that, issues a new Certificate.
On February 2, 2018 the pipeline companies asked FERC to expedite its supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) and issue a new Certificate, or issue an emergency certificate to allow it to continue operation. On February 5, 2018, FERC issued its SEIS. On February 6, 2018, FERC and the pipeline companies filed separate motions to stay the court’s mandate by 45 and 90 days respectively, which delays the mandate further.
In response to the motions which are due February 16, 2018, the Sierra Club plans to oppose these efforts by FERC to skirt the D.C. Circuit ruling and delay the mandate while permitting continued operation of the pipeline.
In response, Sierra Club Managing Attorney Eric Huber released the following statement:
“The court’s order was clear: FERC must re-analyze the threats this Project poses to our air and climate to determine whether re-issuing a Certificate is appropriate and on what terms. FERC’s analysis that concluded the greenhouse gas emissions of this Project were not significant is not sufficient. We trust the Court will reject FERC’s latest efforts to keep this fracked gas pipeline open.”
About the Sabal Trail Pipeline
The Sabal Trail Pipeline, a project of Spectra Energy Partners, NextEra Energy, Inc., and Duke Energy, is a 515-mile pipeline that transports fracked gas through Alabama, Georgia and into Florida. Controversial from the start, this pipeline is the subject of a precedent-setting ruling by the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) must evaluate the downstream effects of burning greenhouse gases when considering pipeline approvals. Now, the Sabal Trail Pipeline is the subject of an ongoing dispute over whether or not it must be shut down while FERC performs the new and comprehensive environmental impact analysis and reconsideration of its Certificate that the court ordered.
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.