CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments Monday regarding the Atlantic Coast Pipeline, the 605-mile gas line from West Virginia to North Carolina.
Justices considered a decision made by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which blocked construction. The circuit court ruled in December 2018 the U.S. Forest Service did not have the authority to issue a permit because of the Appalachian Trail, which is in the pipeline’s proposed path and controlled by the National Park Service.
Dominion Energy Inc. is developing the project with Duke Energy Corp.
According to Bloomberg News, most of the Supreme Court justice support allowing pipeline work and believe the Forest Service acted within its power.
West Virginia is part of an 18-state coalition backing the pipeline. State Attorney General Patrick Morrisey said on Monday’s MetroNews “Talkline” he is hopeful about winning the case.
“This is the kind of stuff that matters for revenue and for allowing West Virginia to really reach her potential from an economic perspective,” he said.