Natural gas pipelines can start building even if their permits are challenged

US energy regulators want to remove a rule that stops natural gas construction permits from being issued. This means companies could start building pipelines and other facilities sooner, even if their approvals are still being challenged.

Opponents of natural gas projects often use legal challenges to delay construction. This rule change means those challenges will no longer automatically pause a project's start date. It lets companies begin work faster, reducing the time and cost of project delays.