Feds Approve New Natural Gas Pipeline Despite Corruption Probe

Federal regulators approved a pipeline critical to a natural gas power plant currently embroiled in a federal corruption investigation.

1 minute read

May 19, 2016, 6:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


W-S_125_pipe_yard

PROJECT_MANAGER / Flickr

"The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued an environmental assessment on Monday for the Millennium pipeline," reports Scott Waldman. "The pipeline will bring natural gas to the $1 billion 650-megawatt Competitive Power Ventures plant in Orange County [New York]…"

The natural gas power plant is caught up in a federal investigation, "after it was revealed the plant owner paid the wife of Joe Percoco, a former senior aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, more than $100,000 in consulting fees." William K. Rashbaum reported on the federal investigation at the end of April.

Regarding the pipeline, Waldman provides additional specifics about the approval issued by FERC, as well as the status of the project. Millennium officials say the federal approval will allow the project to move forward, despite the cloud of suspicion surrounding the investigation.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016 in Politico New York

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Western U.S. indicating public lands that would be for sale under a Senate plan in yellow and green.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands

For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

June 19, 2025 - Outdoor Life

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of full beer glass with purple train-themed design sitting on bar between two frosty tall cans.

Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?

TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.

June 30 - Cities Today

Vintage red Toronto streetcar passing in front of Rogers Arena in Toronto, Canada.

Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events

Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”

June 30 - blogTO

Map of Berlin with ring roads in green and red.

Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan

The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.

June 30 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.