BEN COWAN

But pipeline opponents say the ruling means it is operating with an invalid permit. ENBRIDGE LINE 3Opponents of the Line 3 replacement pipeline in Minnesota are stepping up pressure on Biden. AdPearson said Biden should put the pipeline on hold and make sure a thorough environmental review is done. Enbridge Energy said Biden’s decision on Keystone will have no impact on Line 3 or a similar Line 5 project in Michigan. AdPipeline opponents want Biden to publicly support Michigan Democratic Gov.

The rulings came a day after utilities cancelled an $8 billion natural gas pipeline through West Virginia, Virginia and North Carolina amid mounting delays and bitter opposition from environmentalists. That would allow more than 70 pipeline projects that faced potentially billions of dollars of delays to proceed. But that outcome may be too little too late for some companies already making changes to their plans, said Ben Cowan, who represents pipeline companies as an attorney with Locke Lord LLP. An extended shutdown could force oil companies to use more costly and risky transport methods, such as by rail. With a more careful and thorough environmental review process, other pipeline projects may yet be able to move forward.__ Bussewitz reported from New York.