(Akron, OH) Efforts to stop the NEXUS natural gas pipeline from crossing northern Ohio may be thwarted in court.
A legal batttle to stop the $2 billion natural gas pipeline rested with a federal magistrate in Akron, who ruled the northern Ohio district court has no jurisdiction to consider a lawsuit filed last May by more than 60 property owners across the state.
That group is seeking to to prevent the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission from approving construction plans for the 250-mile-long pipeline carrying natural gas from eastern Ohio shale fields to Michigan and Canada. The magistrate recommends an adminstrative objection to federal regulators, followed by a U.S. appeals court if the pipeline is approved.
FERC has not been able to rule on the NEXUS pipeline without a quorum, but the Senate approved two nominees last week, restoring the federal panel to full strength.