FERC denies rehearing on Northern Pass pipeline, overruling New York decision

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Monday rejected requests to review its decision allowing construction of the 99-mile Northern Access Pipeline, overruling a New York decision to deny water quality permits to the project. New York waived its authority to award permits to the pipeline by not issuing a decision within one year, FERC ruled, denying an appeal from the state and environmental groups. Commissioner Richard Glick dissented on the 4-1 decision. The decision could hint at how FERC will rule on the Constitution pipeline, a 124-mile pipeline that similarly was denied water permits by New York. FERC in that case initially declined to overrule the New York decision, but could change course in its ruling on a requested rehearing for the project