Opinion ID: 597401
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Events Subsequent to the FERC Order Under Review

Text: 15 While TN Gas constructed its part of the pipeline project, Providence Gas had applied for the state and local permits needed to complete its portion of the pipeline, which now included the pipeline along Natick Road and the metering station. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) disapproved a portion of the proposed route for the Providence Gas pipeline, so Providence Gas proposed an alternate route that satisfied RIDEM's concerns. By letter-order dated June 3, 1992, the OPPR Director approved the route change and informed the gas companies that Providence Gas's proposed construction would comport with conditions FERC placed on TN Gas's certificate of [299 U.S.App.D.C. 174] public convenience and necessity. Petitioners moved for a rehearing of that letter-order on June 16, 1992; FERC granted petitioners' motion on July 17, 1992 for the limited purpose of further consideration. J.A. at 143. FERC has not yet ruled on the merits of petitioners' challenge to the letter-order. 16 Sometime later, RIDEM discovered that, contrary to TN Gas's prior representation, TN Gas's leg of the pipeline traversed a wetland. On July 15, 1992, RIDEM suspended the permit it had previously issued TN Gas for that portion of the pipeline. As a result of RIDEM's action, TN Gas no longer satisfied one of the conditions on which FERC granted the certificate of public convenience and necessity, namely that TN Gas obtain all necessary state and local permits. Petitioners seized on that development on July 21, 1992, by filing a motion to vacate or suspend FERC's authorization for TN Gas to construct its part of the pipeline. Both TN Gas and Providence Gas have opposed that motion, which remains pending before FERC. In the meantime, both legs of the pipeline have been completed and are currently in operation. Petitioners now seek review in this Court.