The Conservation Law Foundation wants the state to halt construction on the Vermont Gas Pipeline until regulators approve additional costs.
CLF is petitioning the Vermont Public Service Board to require Vermont Gas to receive an amended permit and to stop pipeline construction until the modified permit is obtained.
Its petition, filed Monday, calls the 40 percent cost increase a substantial change to the project.
Vermont Gas announced a $35.6 million increase in costs on July 2 for the first phase of their Addison Rutland Natural Gas Project.
The utilities company blamed rising national construction costs, engineering and route changes to accommodate residents and enhanced oversight for the cost increase.
Vermont Gas officials say stopping work on their pipeline, amid concerns from environmental advocates, will only increase costs further.
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