RICHARD D. BENNETT, District Judge.
Plaintiff Dominion Transmission, Inc. ("Dominion") has brought this action seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief against the Town of Myersville (the "Town"), the Town of Myersville Town Council (the "Town Council"), and Mayor Wayne S. Creadick, Jr. ("Mayor Creadick").
This Court reviews the facts and all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372, 378, 127 S.Ct. 1769, 167 L.Ed.2d 686 (2007).
The Plaintiff, Dominion Transmission, Inc., owns land located in the Town of Myersville, Maryland and seeks to construct and operate a natural gas compressor station on that property. Defs.' Opp'n Memo., ECF No. 24-1, at 2. The Compressor Station would service an interstate pipeline and is part of a larger, multi-state project. The property on which Dominion seeks to construct its Compressor Station is zoned "General Commercial" under the Town's zoning laws; however, the property has been super-imposed with an "Highway Employment Overlay District," which requires, inter alia, the submission of an overlay district master plan. The purpose of this master plan is to present "assurances that the development within the overlay zoning district will include the public facilities, amenities and other design features needed to support the greater density and design flexibility over and above that which would be required of the underlying zoning district." Id. A party seeking to amend the master plan must submit the amendment to the Town for review and approval. Id. at 3.
In order to construct its Compressor Station, Dominion sought a number of permits and approvals. Specifically, Dominion sought (1) a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC");
On February 17, 2012, Dominion applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. FERC ultimately approved the application on December 20, 2012, but the approval was subject to a variety of environmental compliance conditions and required Dominion to file documentation that it had "received all applicable authorizations required under federal law." Pl.'s Compl. Ex. C App'x B ¶ 8, ECF No. 1-4 (hereinafter, "FERC Certification"). The Maryland Department of the Environment also retained authority to grant or deny air quality permits. Id. at ¶ 71. In addition, FERC's order expressly states:
Id. at Order, ¶ F. Finally, FERC made several express findings, including that (1) the Myersville site was the most appropriate site of the nine sites considered, id. at ¶ 64; (2) the Compressor Station would not have significant visual or audible effects on the surrounding areas, id. at ¶¶ 100, 118; and (3) that the Compressor Station was required by public convenience and necessity, id. at ¶ 66.
Thereafter, on January 22, 2013, the Town and the Myersville Citizens for Rural Community, Inc.
On April 5, 2012-during the pendency of the FERC proceedings — Dominion requested that the Town approve an amendment to master plan for the Compressor Station site. The Town applied its normal zoning procedures — public hearings were held, evidence taken, and ultimately, Dominion's application was denied on August 27, 2012. Defs.' Opp'n Memo., at 3. The grounds for the denial were based on the Town's zoning code and local laws and specifically included: (1) the amendment's inconsistency with the Town Comprehensive Plan; (2) the amendment's inconsistency with the High Employment Overlay District requirements; (3) the hazard to public health and safety posed by the proposed use; (4) the nuisance caused by the noise generated from the proposed use; and (5) the failure to comply with the permitted uses in a High Employment Overlay District. See id.; Pl.'s Compl. Ex B, ECF No. 1-3. No appeal was taken from the Town's decision.
Dominion initially filed for an air quality permit on February 1, 2012. This initial application was denied in June 2012 on the basis that Dominion had not submitted sufficient documentation to demonstrate compliance with local zoning laws as required by § 2-404 of the Environmental Article of the Maryland Code.
Having been rebuffed in its attempts to obtain an air quality permit, Dominion filed a Petition for Review in the D.C. Circuit on February 1, 2013.
In its July 19, 2013 opinion, the D.C. Circuit found that § 2-404(b)(1) was part of Maryland's State Implementation Plan ("SIP"). Dominion Transmission, Inc. v. Summers, 723 F.3d 238, 243 (D.C.Cir. 2013). Thus, because a SIP is required by the Clean Air Act, the D.C. Circuit concluded that § 2-404(b)(1) is not preempted by the NGA. Id. Nevertheless, the D.C. Circuit granted Dominion's Petition for Review and ordered the Maryland Department of the Environment to process Dominion's air quality permit application. Thus, MDE was required to determine whether Dominion had complied with the "applicable" local zoning and land use laws, which, in turn, required MDE to decide whether the Town's local zoning and land use laws had been preempted by the Natural Gas Act. Id. at 253. Because MDE is the agency in charge of administrating Maryland's air quality permits, the D.C. Circuit (and FERC, as the D.C. Circuit points out) found that it was appropriate for MDE to first determine which local laws were preempted.
On August 8, 2013, the D.C. Circuit issued an order setting forth the schedule for the remanded proceedings. Under that schedule, MDE must make a final determination and/or issue a final permit by June 9, 2014. Defs.' Hr'g Ex. 2.
On August 13, 2013, MDE sent a letter to Dominion stating that it was processing Dominion's application and no further information was needed from Dominion at that time. MDE Letter, ECF No. 32-2, at 1. The letter also noted that Dominion had submitted site plans to the Town showing the Compressor's compliance with the Town's zoning laws and, therefore, Dominion had complied with § 2-404. Id.
Dominion filed for declaratory relief in this court on January 1, 2013-the day before Dominion filed its Petition for Review in the D.C. Circuit. Dominion ultimately filed a Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No. 17) and specifically requested the following relief:
This Court held a hearing on Dominion's Motion on September 26, 2013.
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides that a court "shall grant summary judgment if the movant shows that there is no genuine dispute as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." FED. R. CIV. P. 56(c). A material fact is one that "might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law." Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). A genuine issue over a material fact exists "if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Id. In considering a motion for summary judgment, a judge's function is limited to determining whether sufficient evidence exists on a claimed factual dispute to warrant submission of the matter to a jury for resolution at trial. Id. at 249, 106 S.Ct. 2505. Moreover, when a case presents a pure question of law as to federal preemption, the case should be resolved at the summary judgment stage. Nat'l City Bank of Indiana v. Turnbaugh, 367 F.Supp.2d 805, 811 (D.Md.2005), aff'd, 463 F.3d 325, 329 (4th Cir.2006).
Dominion seeks a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief from further enforcement of the Town's zoning and land use laws, arguing that those laws are preempted by the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. § 717 et seq. Defendants contest the extent of the NGA's preemptive power and argue that the scope of Dominion's requested relief is excessive. Ultimately, this Court recognizes the broad preemptive effect of the NGA, but limits Dominion's remedy in this Court so as to afford the Maryland Department of the Environment the opportunity to address compliance with the Clean Air Act ("CAA").
Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, federal law is the "supreme Law of the Land." U.S. Const. art. IV, cl. 2. Thus, any conflicting state or local law is preempted and, therefore, "without effect." Washington Gas Light Co. v. Prince George's County Council, 711 F.3d 412, 419 (4th Cir.2013) (citations omitted). There are three general theories under which federal law may preempt state and local laws. The most basic form is express preemption, which arises when Congress expressly indicates its intent to preempt state and local laws in the federal statute itself. Beyond those clear-cut cases, however, preemption may also be implied in two discrete situations. One type, known as "conflict preemption," arises when the federal and state laws conflict; the other form — "field preemption" — occurs where Congress intends to occupy a legislative field. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co. v. Massachusetts, 471 U.S. 724, 747-48, 105 S.Ct. 2380, 85 L.Ed.2d 728 (1985). Regardless of the theory of preemption, Congress' purpose is the "ultimate touchstone" of the analysis. Washington Gas Light, 711 F.3d at 419 (citation omitted).
Turning to the matter at hand, this Court first notes that the preemptive effect of the Natural Gas Act is well established. As the United States Court of
The preemptive power of the NGA is limited, however, by three statutory exceptions; specifically, § 717b(d) states that the Act does not "affect[] the rights of states under (1) the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq.); (2) the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.); or (3) the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.)."
Here, Defendants contend that its local zoning and land use laws are saved by § 2-404(b) of the Environment Article of the Maryland Code, which provides that air permits under the Clean Air Act will not issue unless the applicant submits documentation that it is in compliance with local zoning and land use requirements.
In resolving the related case of Dominion Transmission, Inc. v. Summers, the D.C. Circuit addressed essentially these same legal issues. There, the D.C. Circuit determined that § 2-404(b) was in fact part of Maryland's State Implementation Plan ("SIP"), Dominion Transmission, 723 F.3d at 243-44, but that local laws conflicting with FERC's Certificate or causing delay to the construction or operation of the facility would be preempted. Id. at 245. Moreover, the D.C. Circuit indicated that the preemption analysis must be performed first; in other words, an air quality permit could only be denied under § 2-404(b) if the applicant failed to comply with a local zoning or land use law that was not preempted and, therefore, applicable. Id. Despite the centrality of the preemption question to that case, however, the D.C. Circuit declined to make any specific legal rulings itself; instead, the D.C. Circuit remanded the case to MDE, stating that the agency was "better situated" to determine Dominion's compliance with § 2-404. Id. Because the D.C. Circuit recognized that a determination of compliance with § 2-404 requires MDE to also decide which Myersville zoning and land use laws are "applicable," the court also permitted MDE to make the initial determination of the preemption question. Id.
Because of the pending proceedings before MDE, this Court will not seek to decide that question, which will still be subject to review by the D.C. Circuit. Due to the fact that construction at the Compressor site cannot proceed until MDE issues an air quality permit, there is no danger of prejudice to Dominion's interests.
The relief requested by Dominion in this proceeding, however, requires the Court to address preemption issues beyond the scope of those before MDE. Specifically, Dominion seeks a declaration that all of the Town Code is preempted rather than just the zoning and land use provisions. The Defendants argue that this requested relief is too broad. Nevertheless, the Town has not been able to identify any law or regulation outside the scope of the field of preemption. Those provisions the Town has identified — specifically, those relating to stormwater management and soil erosion, see Defs' Resp. to Pl.'s Supp. Memo, ECF No. 31, at 3 — are within the preempted field. See, e.g., Northern Nat. Gas Co. v. Munns, 254 F.Supp.2d 1103, 1111 (S.D.Iowa 2003) (finding that state soil erosion standards are within the field of preemption). More importantly, these issues were already considered by FERC. Specifically, the Certificate addresses a variety of water, soil, and erosion issues, including groundwater impacts, FERC Certification, at ¶ 133, stabilization and reseeding of the construction area, id. at ¶ 142, and conditions under which "monitoring of sediment transport" may be required, id. at ¶ 136. See id. at 1109-10 (finding field preemption due to extensive
Furthermore, the Town has not argued that those stormwater and soil erosion provisions — nor any other law contained in the Town Code for that matter — remain applicable pursuant to the NGA's preemption exemptions for the Coastal Zone Management Act or the Clean Water Act. As such, the Town has failed to demonstrate that its laws are protected from preemption by one of the NGA's statutory preemption exceptions. Accordingly, this Court will issue a declaratory judgment to the effect that those portions of the Town Code directly affecting the siting, construction, or operation of the Myersville Compressor are null and void as applied to Dominion except for those laws or regulations enacted pursuant to the State's rights under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.).
In addition to declaratory judgment, Dominion requests that this Court enter a permanent injunction barring Defendants from "implementing or enforcing the Town Code, and all ordinances, rules, and regulations contained therein, against Dominion's plan to construct the Myersville Compressor." Pl.'s Memo Mot. Sum. Judg. at 11 (emphasis added). The guidelines for granting a permanent injunction are well-established:
eBay Inc. v. MercExchange, L.L.C., 547 U.S. 388, 391, 126 S.Ct. 1837, 164 L.Ed.2d 641 (2006). The determination whether to grant or deny an injunction is left to the sound discretion of the trial court. Id.
Here, Dominion's request fails on the first requirement — there has been no showing of irreparable injury at this time. Dominion alleges in its Complaint (ECF No. 1) that it "will suffer irreparable harm in that it will not be able to construct the Myersville Compressor Station." Pl.'s Compl. ¶ 38. In its Reply brief, Dominion further asserts that it is at risk of "further denials and delays imposed by Defendants" and complains that it will unnecessarily be required to "submit sketch plats, site improvement plans, and final plats" to the Town. Pl.'s Reply, at 10.
These various assertions fail to support a finding of irreparable harm. As stated in MDE's August 13, 2013 letter, Dominion has already submitted site plans to the Town. See MDE Letter, ECF No. 32-2, at 1. More importantly, as Plaintiff's Counsel acknowledged at the September 26th hearing, Dominion cannot proceed with construction on the Compressor Station until MDE issues an air quality permit. See Defs.' Hr'g Ex. B. Considering that Dominion cannot yet proceed with construction of the Compressor Station, there is currently no threat of imminent harm to Dominion and, therefore, no reason for this Court to issue a permanent injunction.
In addition to declaratory and injunctive relief, Dominion requests that this Court "maintain jurisdiction over the matter to address any future actions by Defendants inconsistent with its other orders." While this Court has found that an injunction would be inappropriate under these circumstances, there are grounds to maintain jurisdiction over this action. Specifically, the Maryland Department of the Environment is still reviewing the preemptive effect of the NGA in connection with its application of the Clean Air Act; moreover, that determination is subject to appeal to the D.C. Circuit. Accordingly, it
Notably, in Colorado Interstate Gas Co. v. Wright, 707 F.Supp.2d 1169, 1190 (D.Kan.2010), the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas resolved an NGA preemption matter in a very similar fashion. There, after finding that state laws regulating the storage of natural gas were preempted by the NGA and the Pipeline Safety Act (49 U.S.C. § 60101 et seq.), the Court denied injunctive relief but retained jurisdiction over the matter:
Id. This Court finds that a similar course of action allows for the most flexibility and expediency in resolving this matter. Accordingly, this case will remain open.
For the reasons stated above, Plaintiff Dominion Transmission, Inc.'s Motion for Summary Judgment (ECF No. 17) is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART. Specifically, Dominion Transmission, Inc.'s request for declaratory relief is GRANTED, and this Court hereby declares that those portions of the Myersville Town Code of Ordinances that directly affect the siting, construction, or operation of the Myersville Compressor are null and void as applied to Dominion except for those laws or regulations, if any, enacted pursuant to the State's rights under the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. § 1451 et seq.), the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. § 7401 et seq.), or the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.). This declaration, however, does not extend to those preemption questions related to Myersville Town Code of Ordinances provisions dealing with zoning and land use, which are currently pending before the Maryland Department of Environment. Dominion Transmission, Inc.'s request for injunctive relief, however, is DENIED.
A separate Order follows.
For the reasons stated in the foregoing Memorandum Opinion, it is this 7th day of October, 2013, ORDERED that:
15 U.S.C. § 717(b). Here, Dominion is engaged in the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce, as the Compressor is one piece of a multi-state pipeline and storage project. 141 FERC 61,240, at ¶¶ 1, 15.
Md. Code, Envir. § 2-404(b).
This Court recognizes that some local regulations may cover subjects beyond the field occupied by the NGA. See Schneidewind v. ANR Pipeline Co., 485 U.S. 293, 308, 108 S.Ct. 1145, 99 L.Ed.2d 316 (1988) ("Of course, every state statute that has some indirect effect on rates and facilities of natural gas companies is not pre-empted."); Algonquin Lng, 79 F.Supp.2d at 52-53 ("Finally, it should be noted that interstate gas facilities are not entirely insulated from local regulation. State and local laws that have only an indirect effect on interstate gas facilities are not preempted. Moreover, local regulation with respect to matters or activities that are separate and distinct from subjects of federal regulation may be permissible if they do not impede or prevent the accomplishment of a legitimate federal objective.").
This case, however, does not present such an issue, and the Town has not identified any specific regulations that would have only an indirect effect on the construction or operation of the facility.
Washington Gas Light Co., 711 F.3d at 426.
