Tulsa-based Williams Cos Inc. will be allowed to move ahead with a $2.65 billion Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline in Pennsylvania after the D.C. Circuit on Wednesday lifted its temporary stay of construction.
In making the move, the court denied a request by environmental groups and an Order of Catholic nuns near Lancaster, Pennsylvania to stop the company from building the line that will transport natural gas from the state to destinations as far south as South Carolina.
An administrative stay had been issued on Monday giving the court extra time to consider the request by the Allegheny Defense Project.
“We are pleased that the court has lifted the administrative stay of construction activities and denied the emergency motion for stay filed by the project opponents,” said Michael Dunn, Williams Partners’ chief operating officer.
He said thousands of workers in Pennsylvania would be back on the job immediately.
“We will promptly resume construction activities on this important pipeline project, which will leverage existing energy infrastructure to deliver economic growth and help millions of Americans gain access to affordable Pennsylvania-produced clean-burning natural gas.”
Work started seven months ago on the project and Williams has stated it plans to finish in mid-2018.