Denial Of Essential Permit Deals Serious Blow To Potomac Pipeline
A Maryland administrative board has denied Columbia Gas a necessary permit for it to build a controversial gas pipeline across the Potomac River. By a unanimous vote, the Maryland Board of Public Works rejected a right-of-way easement for the Eastern Panhandle Expansion, commonly known as the Potomac Pipeline. Without the permit, the gas company cannot lay pipeline underneath the Maryland Rail Trail, putting the entire project in jeopardy. The Board of Public Works consists of the governor, the comptroller and the treasurer. Governor Larry Hogan, who cast one of the three no votes, said that he was surprised that the easement was even on agenda for January 2...