Environmental Group Sues U.S. Government Over Pipeline Regulation

The National Wildlife Federation is suing a federal agency over allegations the government is failing to properly oversee pipelines in lakes and rivers.

The group says the U.S. Department of Transportation is not reviewing and approving spill response plans for pipeline operators that cross or go under navigable waters, both in the Great Lakes and in other parts of the nation.

The federation’s Mike Shriberg said the agency has failed to issue regulations covering pipelines that run over, through or under water.

“Even if an oil spill response plan is voluntarily prepared and submitted, the Department of Transportation has no regulations in effect for reviewing or approving the plan — and the owner or operator, therefore, has no obligation to comply with it,” said Shriberg.

The federation says the DOT is violating the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act, the latter of which was passed in 1990 after the Exxon Valdez spill.

The federal agency has 60 days to respond. A spokesman with the U.S. Department of Justice declined to comment, saying they’re reviewing the lawsuit.