The proposed Cumberland Project, set to be constructed by Kinder Morgan's Tennessee Gas Pipeline, could transport about 245 000 dekatherms/d of additional natural gas to power supplier Tennessee Valley Authority.
On a 2-1 vote, opens new tab, Cincinnati-based 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals put a hold on the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation's order issuing a water quality certification and the Army Corps of Engineers' issuance of a permit. The request for a stay was filed by environmental organizations Appalachian Voices and Sierra Club, which claimed the pipeline's construction could have detrimental impact on the environment.
The court said a stay was appropriate for it to have the time to consider the merits of the environmental groups' case. It said further arguments in the case would be heard in December.
A Kinder Morgan spokesperson said the company does not agree with the court's decision, which it will continue to review while evaluating its options.
