MAJOR STEP IN ADVANCING ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH
October 17, 2014
(WYOMISSING, PA) – PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC, announced today FERC approval of its request to initiate the pre-filing review process.
The pre-filing process includes a formal structure for interested parties along the proposed route to provide input regarding the proposed PennEast Pipeline. It also creates the framework for the environmental analysis required of the location, design and permitting of the proposed natural gas pipeline.
PennEast chose the comprehensive, multi-step pre-filing approach as a way to ensure greater stakeholder involvement early in the project’s development and to work cooperatively with the FERC staff on stakeholder outreach, as well as the technical, engineering and environmental aspects of the project before a formal application is submitted. PennEast plans to complete pre-filing and file a formal application in third quarter 2015.
“Interstate natural gas pipelines are subject to stringent review and FERC oversight,” said Peter Terranova, chairman of the PennEast board of managers. “PennEast requested to use the pre-filing process because it provides an ideal framework for obtaining early input from potentially affected landowners and other stakeholders. Their input helps identify areas of concern that we can try to address from the start through the design of the project.”
PennEast has established numerous channels to share project information and obtain stakeholder input, including a toll-free line (844-347-7119); web site (www.penneastpipeline.com); and e-mail address (answers@penneastpipeline.com). It also will host a series of open houses scheduled primarily November 10 through November 13. Throughout the pre-filing phase, stakeholders also may provide input using the FERC e-Comment system (www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ecomment) and entering the PennEast pre-filing docket number PF15-1-000.
The proposed 108-mile, 36-inch natural gas pipeline will be designed to transport 1 Bcf/day — enough natural gas to serve approximately 4.7 million homes. Current plans call for the pipeline to run from Luzerne County in northeastern Pennsylvania to Transco’s Trenton-Woodbury interconnection in New Jersey. The PennEast Pipeline is projected to go into service in 2017.
AGL Resources; NJR Pipeline Company, a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources; PSEG Power LLC; South Jersey Industries; and UGI Energy Services (UGIES), a subsidiary of UGI Corporation, comprise PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC. UGIES is the project manager for the development of the project.
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