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Miles Johnson, Columbia Riverkeeper: 541-490-0487
Court Allows Controversial Fracked Gas Expansion Project
Court rejects Oregon, Washington, and environmental organizations’ arguments against Pacific Northwest gas pipeline expansion
New Orleans, LA (October 28, 2025)—The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision today allowing a contentious gas pipeline capacity expansion project, called GTN Xpress, to move forward. The GTN pipeline is owned by TC Energy, the oil and gas company behind the failed Keystone XL oil pipeline.
In 2024, Columbia Riverkeeper and Rogue Climate challenged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) approval of GTN Xpress in court for violating the National Environmental Policy Act. They were represented by attorneys at Earthjustice and Crag Law Center. Washington and Oregon also challenged the pipeline expansion.
GTN Xpress adds 150,000 dekatherms per day of gas to an existing pipeline that runs from Canada, through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. That’s the equivalent of adding 754,000 cars to the road every year for 30 years.
“West Coast communities have been loud and clear: there is no need for more fracked gas. FERC’s decision is at odds with state laws to combat the climate crisis,” said Audrey Leonard, Staff Attorney for Columbia Riverkeeper. “The devastating impacts of wildfires, heat domes, and rising river temperatures demand action. We are working toward a clean energy future, not more dirty fossil fuels.”
“The GTN Xpress project is a betrayal of our future. It endangers the health and safety of our neighbors, perpetuates fracking on First Nations territories, and accelerates the climate crisis,” said Brooke Nuckles, Executive Director for Rogue Climate. “Instead of accepting this, we demand a just transition to affordable, renewable energy and the right for our communities to reclaim their power in these crucial decisions.”
The project received sharp criticism for its climate impacts, safety risks, and ratepayer burdens. In addition to the state of Oregon and Washington, the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, nine Members of Congress, four State Representatives, and thousands of Northwest community members urged FERC to deny TC Energy’s proposal.
The Court rejected Columbia Riverkeeper and Rogue Climate’s arguments that FERC’s approval violated the National Environmental Policy Act. The Court also rejected GTN’s argument that it was entitled to spread full costs of the project to existing customers.
A regional coalition, “Stop GTN Xpress,” grew to oppose this and other new gas projects in the Northwest. Now called “Stop NW Gas Expansion,” the coalition builds regional momentum to stop gas infrastructure buildout, and reliance on gas, at local, state, and federal levels.
TC Energy completed construction for GTN Xpress earlier this year, but it is unclear how much of the additional pipeline capacity is in use.
The states and nonprofits have 45 days and 90 days, respectively, to ask the Court of Appeals to reconsider the decision or appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.