An appeals court is upholding a water quality permit for a proposed 32-mile gas pipeline in Tennessee.
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Friday that state regulators had adequately considered the risks of constructing the Cumberland pipeline across bodies of water, when it certified the project complied with state water quality standards.
The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation “reasonably explained its Pipeline-related decision making,” said Judge Eric Clay, a Clinton pick, writing the majority opinion for the court, roundly rejecting claims raised by environmental groups.
Judge Karen Moore, another Clinton appointee, joined the opinion, while Judge Amul Thapar, a Trump pick, dissented on the standing of the parties to bring their suit.
