THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, January 24, 1997              TAG: 9701260310
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B5   EDITION: FINAL 
                                            LENGTH:   15 lines

N.C. FILES GASTON BRIEF

North Carolina filed the final brief Thursday in a Lake Gaston pipeline case before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Last year, North Carolina appealed a decision by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to issue a permit for the 76-mile pipeline that would carry water to South Hampton Roads. The court will hear oral arguments Feb. 4 and is expected to issue an opinion in the spring.

KEYWORDS: LAKE GASTON PIPELINE