Pipeline Company Sues Operator Of Wyoming Coal Mine

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A dispute between a natural gas pipeline operator and a coal mine in southwestern Wyoming has landed in court.

Utah-based Northwest Pipeline GP claims that operations at Chevron's coal mine near Kemmerer shifted the earth near two interstate pipelines. The Casper Star-Tribune (http://bit.ly/wQLKNU) reported Monday that Northwest has filed a lawsuit against Chevron Mining Inc. seeking at least $20 million to pay for the pipelines to be protected and moved.

The lawsuit also claims that mining activity caused U.S. Highway 30 to buckle and crack. The Wyoming Department of Transportation said there was minor damage to a 300-foot section of the road but it couldn't be directly linked to mining.

A Chevron spokeswoman said that Chevron stopped mining while work was done on the pipeline but wouldn't comment on the suit.