Fed Approval For North Jersey/NY Gas Pipeline Stands

Federal environmental officials have declined to reconsider their approval of a 16-mile natural gas pipeline across portions of northern New Jersey and into New York City.

A spokesman for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says the decision was made at the agency's meeting Thursday in Washington.

The pipeline, being built by Spectra Energy Corp., will run from Staten Island through parts of Linden, Bayonne, Jersey City and offshore in Hoboken into Manhattan's West Village neighborhood.

Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy and other opponents of the project had challenged FERC's approval on several grounds, from environmental concerns to an accusation the agency failed to properly notify affected homeowners.

FERC's ruling says it denies allegations that its original order was faulty on several points.

Healy and others have vowed to appeal.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)