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Stalled $1 Billion Gas Pipe Gets Backing From U.S. Regulator

FERC votes in favor of Enbridge’s controversial PennEast line
Court decision had prevented it from exercising eminent domain

Photographer: Andrew Burton/Getty Images

By

Stephen Cunningham

January 30, 2020, 6:17 PM UTCUpdated onJanuary 30, 2020, 11:20 PM UTC

A controversial $1 billion shale gas pipeline that’s been stalled by a dispute over whether it can seize state-owned land for construction won the backing of the nation’s top energy regulator.

PennEast had sought the support of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission after a court decision prevented it from exercising eminent domain in New Jersey. Its developers -- which include Enbridge Inc. and Southern Co. -- argued the ruling overturned 80 years of industry practice.