By The Star Team
In Puerto Rico, environmental and community organizations have contested a decision from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) permitting New Fortress Energy to run a gas pipeline in the port of San Juan without undergoing an environmental assessment.
The contestation was submitted last week to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit by Earthjustice representing El Puente de Williamsburg, Enlace Latino de Acción Climática, Sierra Club de Puerto Rico, and additional organizations.
These organizations charge FERC with not adhering to federal regulations by allowing NFEnergía, a branch of New Fortress Energy, to create and manage a gas pipeline without evaluating the environmental and safety ramifications for surrounding communities.
Approximately 20,000 residents live within a mile of the pipeline, and 168,000 reside within three miles, creating a significant risk of explosion for those areas.
The organizations contend that FERC was obligated to assess the environmental and safety effects as mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act but permitted the project to advance without considering these critical factors.
According to the groups, NFEnergía commenced operations of the liquefied natural gas terminal in May 2020 without the necessary FERC authorization, thus breaching the Natural Gas Act.
