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Judge grills pipeline lawyers, officials
Judge grills pipeline lawyers, officials
Austin American-Statesman
Saturday, July 13, 2002
Did the federal government act properly in giving a green light to the proposed Longhorn gasoline pipeline? That is the question facing U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks.
Judging by his sharp questioning of lawyers for the government and Longhorn Partners Pipeline LP at a hearing in Austin on Friday, Sparks finds the government's actions troubling.
He said there was "clear evidence" that an arm of the White House ordered regulators to conclude that the pipeline would have no significant impact on the environment and public safety. This policy decision, he said, was reached before the regulators had completed their analysis.
Don Martin said the company plans to begin filling the pipeline with fuel in a two-week period beginning July 31, regardless of whether the judge has ruled by then. However, a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs would prevent Longhorn from operating the line until an environmental impact statement is prepared.
Federal pipeline regulators said the company's timetable doesn't seem realistic.
Austin American-Statesman
Saturday, July 13, 2002
Did the federal government act properly in giving a green light to the proposed Longhorn gasoline pipeline? That is the question facing U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks.
Judging by his sharp questioning of lawyers for the government and Longhorn Partners Pipeline LP at a hearing in Austin on Friday, Sparks finds the government's actions troubling.
He said there was "clear evidence" that an arm of the White House ordered regulators to conclude that the pipeline would have no significant impact on the environment and public safety. This policy decision, he said, was reached before the regulators had completed their analysis.
Don Martin said the company plans to begin filling the pipeline with fuel in a two-week period beginning July 31, regardless of whether the judge has ruled by then. However, a ruling in favor of the plaintiffs would prevent Longhorn from operating the line until an environmental impact statement is prepared.
Federal pipeline regulators said the company's timetable doesn't seem realistic.
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