The Public Utility Commission Monday issued a reminder it will hold two “Smart Hearings” on May 16 to gather public comment on an application by Laurel Pipe Line Company, L.P. for approval to change direction of petroleum products transportation service to delivery points west of the Altoona area.

The Smart Hearings, conducted by Administrative Law Judge Eranda Vero, will be held at the PUC’s headquarters in Harrisburg, at the following times:  May 16 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. in the Commonwealth Keystone Building, Hearing Room 1, 400 North Street, Harrisburg.

PUC Smart Hearings are broadcast live on the PUC website and enable residents and concerned parties throughout Pennsylvania to see and hear the testimony being offered without the need to attend the hearings in person.

Witnesses are able to offer their comments by telephone, from the convenience of their homes, offices, or other locations, to be included in the live Internet stream and considered as part of the Commission’s review.

In-person testimony at the Harrisburg hearing site also will be included, for those who prefer to comment in that manner. Individuals will have the option of not having their testimony live-streamed, if they prefer.

Individuals wishing to testify at the hearings by telephone must contact the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge (OALJ) at 717-787-1399 and provide contact information no later than May 8. Attendance in person requires no prior action, simply show up and sign in.

Laurel Pipeline Application

Laurel Pipeline submitted an application to the Commission on November 16, 2016, requesting all necessary authority and approvals from the PUC, to the extent required, to authorize Laurel to change the direction of its petroleum products transportation service over a portion of its system, west of its Eldorado facility, located in the Altoona area.

According to their application, Laurel currently transports petroleum products from east to west – from points of origin near Philadelphia to destinations across the state, terminating west of Pittsburgh, where it connects to pipelines originating from a number of refineries located in the Midwest.

A portion of the capacity of the pipeline is also used to transport petroleum products from New Jersey and Delaware to destinations in Pennsylvania.

Laurel’s application notes that expanding refining capacity in the Midwest has led to a number of shippers indicating an interest in transporting petroleum products to destinations in Western and Central Pennsylvania. Laurel is proposing to reverse the flow on part of the Western Pennsylvania portion of its pipeline system, allowing petroleum products to move eastward, toward the Altoona area.

Offering Comments The Hearing

Members of the public are welcome to attend the hearings and provide comments. Their testimony will become part of the record on which the PUC will issue its final decision.

The PUC offers these tips on how to participate:

-- Prepare what you are going to say beforehand. Even though it is not required, you may want to write out your statement, which can be read.

-- Bring copies, if you are attending an in-person hearing. If you have a written statement you would like to give to the judge as evidence, please bring two copies for the court reporter and several copies for the other participants.

-- Plan to be questioned. Parties in the case may want to ask you a question to clarify something you said.

Laurel Pipeline is PUC Docket: A-2016-2575829.

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[Posted: May 2, 2017]

5/8/2017