Federal court greenlights Crow Creek Gas pipeline construction in Idaho-Wyoming

(UI) — A federal district court in Idaho has denied a request from environmental groups to halt construction of the Crow Creek natural gas pipeline, allowing the 48-mile project between Idaho and Wyoming to move forward.

The ruling supports the U.S. Forest Service’s supplemental environmental review completed in December 2024, which concluded the project would not cause significant environmental harm.

The Crow Creek pipeline, proposed by Lower Valley Energy, will run from Montpelier, Idaho, to Afton, Wyoming. The eight-inch, low-pressure pipeline will cross 20 miles of national forest land within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, including about 40 acres within inventoried roadless areas. It is designed to improve regional energy reliability and supply for local communities.

Environmental groups had argued the Forest Service failed to adequately evaluate potential impacts and sought to stop construction. The U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho disagreed, citing the agency’s years of analysis and finding that the plaintiffs had not shown a likelihood of success on the merits or irreparable harm.

Construction is expected to begin this month. The Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division said it will continue handling the case on appeal if needed.

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