Last week we examined the Sierra Club v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission decision from the D.C. Circuit holding that natural gas pipeline NEPA review must consider greenhouse gas emissions impacts from power plants served by the proposed pipeline. This week, we review the decision and its impact on pipeline projects:
In August, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit issued opinions in two appeals filed by the Sierra Club that address an agency’s obligation under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to consider the indirect environmental effects upstream or downstream of a proposed Federal action. In the first case, Sierra Club v. U. S. Department of Energy, No. 15-1489 (D.C. Cir. Aug. 15, 2017) (Sierra Club (FLNG)), the Court held in a unanimous 3-0 opinion that in approving liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, the Department of Energy (DOE) was not required to quantify the indirect effects of upstream “export-induced” gas production or the effect on downstream emissions resulting from changes in fuel sources. In Sierra Club v. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, No. 16-1329 (D.C. Cir. Aug. 22, 2017) (Sierra Club (Sabal Trail)), the Court held in a 2-1 decision that FERC was required to quantify the downstream emissions created by power plants to be served by a proposed pipeline.