On August 10, Bill O'Boyle of the Times Leader reported the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will start a series of virtual hearings on August 18 aimed at gathering issues which should be addressed in an environmental assessment for the Regional Energy Access Expansion Pipeline Project by Transco.  (formal notice)

The virtual hearings are being held as part of a National Environmental Policy Act scoping process for the environmental assessment.

Transco plans to construct and operate approximately 35.8 miles of pipeline loop2 and one new compressor station, as well as modify existing compressor stations and facilities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The project will involve Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Wyoming, and York counties, Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, and Warren Counties, New Jersey; and Baltimore County, Maryland.

The project would provide about 760 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to multiple delivery points along Transco’s existing system in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. According to Transco, its project would provide its customers with enhanced access to Marcellus and Utica Shale natural gas supplies.

The project would consist of the following facilities:

-- Installation of 22 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (Regional Energy Lateral);

-- Installation of 13.8 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop in Monroe County, Pennsylvania (Effort Loop);

-- Installation of the new Compressor Station 201 (up to 11,500 horsepower [hp]) in Gloucester County, New Jersey);

-- Installation of a gas turbine or electric motor-driven compressor unit (up to 16,000 hp) at existing Compressor Station 505 in Somerset County, New Jersey;

-- Installation of a gas turbine compressor unit (up to an additional 31,871 hp) and modifications to three existing compressors at existing Compressor Station 515 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania;

-- Modifications at existing compressor stations, meter stations, interconnects, and ancillary facilities in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland; and

-- Installation of ancillary facilities such as mainline valves, communication facilities, and pig3 launchers and receivers.

Virtual Hearings

The Commission invites the public to attend one of the virtual public scoping sessions its staff will conduct by telephone on--

-- August 18: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Call in number: 888-455-9739; participant passcode: 4753713

-- August 19: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Call in number: 888-455-9739; participant passcode: 4753713

-- August 20: 6 p.m.-8 p.m.  Call in number: 888-455-9739; participant passcode: 4753713

To ensure that all comments are timely and properly recorded, submit your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC, on or before 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug. 24.  Comments may be submitted in written or oral form.

Click Here for the formal Federal Register notice of these hearings and more details.

NewsClip:

FERC Schedules Virtual Hearings On Regional Transco Pipeline Project To Identify Issues To Be Included In An Environmental Assessment Starting Aug. 18

Related Articles:

-- Mariner East Pipeline Drilling Stopped Indefinitely At Site Of Leak Into Marsh Creek State Park Lake, Chester County; Pipeline Company Will Be Held Accountable

-- Clean Air Council: Another Spill From Construction Of Sunoco's Mariner East II Pipeline In Chester County

[Posted: August 10, 2020]

8/17/2020