German agency suspends approval process for Russia pipeline

BERLIN (AP) — Germany’s network regulator says it’s suspended its procedure to certify the operator of a new pipeline that would bring Russian gas to the country under the Baltic Sea. Construction of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline was completed earlier this year, but it’s not yet operating. Both Ukraine and the United States have opposed the project. The German network regulator said Tuesday it was suspending the procedure to certify Nord Stream 2 AG as an independent transmission operator because of an issue with the company’s status under German law. Analysts say the move increases the likelihood the pipeline won’t start up in time to help alleviate tight natural gas supplies in Europe.