Pipeline Co. Seeks to Bar Evidence of Gov. Scott’s Investment From Suit

"Lawyers for a company that wants to build a natural gas pipeline in north Florida have told a judge that environmental opponents should be blocked from 'presenting evidence or argument' about Gov. Rick Scott’s financial interest in the company.

'Such evidence is irrelevant and the admission of which would be unfairly prejudicial,' attorneys for Sabal Trail Transmission, LLC told Administrative Law Judge Bram D.E. Canter in last week’s filing.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which is backing the $3 billion Sabal Trail pipeline, filed a similar argument earlier this month when it called the 'allegation regarding a conflict of interest…not material to this proceeding.'

Sabal Trail is a joint venture of Spectra Energy Partners and Florida Power & Light parent NextEra Energy. Spectra Energy’s investors have included Gov. Scott."

Dan Christensen reports for the Florida Bulldog September 30, 2015.