Ill. Judge Denies Reconsideration of Dismissal of Pipeline Safety Act Claim

BENTON, Ill. - A federal court has denied a motion to reconsider its dismissal of a "citizen suit" claim alleging improper underground storage of natural gas, saying the underground storage site is not a "pipeline facility" within the meaning of the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act. Petco Petroleum Corp., et al. v. Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, No. 03-cv-4086 (S.D. Ill.).

U.S. District Judge Philip Gilbert declined to follow another federal court's holding that an underground gas reservoir is not a "segment of pipeline" under the safety regulation cited (49 C.F.R. § 192.703[b]), saying it is not binding law …