Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. v. Delaware Riverkeeper Network
921 F. Supp. 2d 381
M.D. Penn.2013Background
- TGPC sought a declaratory judgment that NGA preempts PA EHB review of PA-DEP permits issued for TGPC's Northeast Upgrade Project; DRN appealed those permits to the EHB; PADEP and DRN intervened; the court granted TGPC’s motion for preliminary injunction; FERC issued its May 29, 2012 order requiring TGPC to obtain state permits; three PADEP permits issued November 2012 and appealed to the EHB; the court ordered record supplementation and held oral argument in January 2013; FERC lead agency status and record consolidation under NGA were at issue; multiple related pleadings and appeals followed; the court concluded TGPC is entitled to a preliminary injunction given the NGA-CWA framework and potential irreparable harm.
Issues
| Issue | Plaintiff's Argument | Defendant's Argument | Held |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whether NGA preempts EHB review of PADEP permits | TGPC argues NGA preempts state review of permits issued under federal law. | DRN/PADEP contend state review remains viable and preemption is limited. | Partial preemption; federal review governs key permit aspects, but state-review structure remains relevant for certain interrelated permits. |
| Whether Section 717r(d)(1) allows direct federal appellate review before EHB review | TGPC argues direct circuit review is required by 717r(d)(1). | DRN/PADEP argue state review should proceed first. | TGPC can pursue direct circuit court review; EHB review not required prior to federal review. |
| Whether exhaustion of state administrative remedies is required | No exhaustion required under 717r(d)(1). | Exhaustion urged to preserve state process. | Exhaustion not required; Congress intended direct federal review under 717r(d)(1). |
| Whether a consolidated record exists for circuit review and may be supplemented | Record from PADEP and FERC is sufficient for circuit review. | Record may be incomplete; supplementation may be necessary. | A consolidated record exists and may be supplemented under NGA 717n(d) to support review. |
Key Cases Cited
- Islander East Pipeline Co., LLC v. Connecticut Dep't Envtl. Prot., 482 F.3d 79 (2d Cir.2006) (pre-emption framework; CWA §401 certifications and NGA interplay)
- Islander East Pipeline Co., LLC v. McCarthy, 525 F.3d 141 (2d Cir.2008) (Islander II; direct circuit review under EPACT §19(d))
- AES Sparrows Point LNG v. Wilson, 589 F.3d 721 (4th Cir.2009) (EPACT §19(d) direct review; exhaustion considerations)
- NE Hub Partners, LP v. CNG Transmission Corp., 239 F.3d 333 (3d Cir.2001) (preemption and state-federal coordination in NGA/CWA context)
- Schneidewind v. ANR Pipeline Co., 485 U.S. 293 (1988) (NGA field preemption of state regulation in natural gas matters)