A federal court has rejected environmentalists’ bid to halt construction of the Crow Creek natural gas pipeline, clearing the way for the energy project to begin.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho denied the request for an injunction on Tuesday, siding with the Justice Department in the high-stakes legal battle.
The ruling marks a significant victory for the Trump administration’s energy agenda. The pipeline will transport natural gas from Idaho to Wyoming, crossing through the Caribou-Targhee National Forest along its route.
According to the Justice Department, the project underwent a “yearslong series of careful reviews and analyses” before approval. The Forest Service completed a supplemental environmental impact statement supporting the pipeline last December.
Environmental groups had sued to block the project, arguing that the environmental review was inadequate. But the court found they were unlikely to prove the government failed to properly consider potential impacts.
The judge also concluded plaintiffs hadn’t demonstrated “a likelihood of irreparable harm from the project.” This finding proved crucial in denying their request for emergency relief.
The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division handled the case. Both the Natural Resources Section and Appellate Section secured the legal victory.
Construction crews are expected to break ground this month. The timeline suggests developers moved quickly to capitalize on their court win.
Environmental groups will likely continue fighting the pipeline through ongoing litigation. The Justice Department confirmed its attorneys will continue to handle the case as it proceeds.