On December 31, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it will hold a virtual hearing January 13 on the Chapter 102 and 105 Erosion and Sedimentation and Waterways Management permit applications for Phase I of the PennEast Pipeline Project from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.. (PA Bulletin, page 7107)

The PennEast pipeline will cross four counties in the northeast: Carbon, Luzerne, Monroe and Northampton. Phase 1 will primarily entail the construction of approximately 68 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline from Dallas Township in Luzerne County through Carbon and Monroe counties and into Bethlehem Township in Northampton County.

The southern terminus of Phase 1 will be at the Church Road Interconnects with Columbia Transmission and Adelphia Gateway in Northampton County. The total length of the pipeline will encompass 116 miles in northeast and southeast Pennsylvania.

“The department understands that this pipeline project will have a significant impact on the communities that it will pass through, so it is important that we hear from residents,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “Because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve had to adjust and shift to remote hearings, but the testimony of residents will still carry the same weight as in-person testimony.”

The permit applications were originally received by the department in December of 2018 and then, in September of 2019, the department received updated applications to reflect the phased-in approach of the pipeline project.

DEP’s notice said it will schedule a hearing for Phase 2 of the project extending between Northampton and Bucks counties at a later date.

Individuals who wish to observe or present testimony at the formal virtual public hearing must contact Colleen Connolly at 570-826-2035 or coconnolly@pa.gov,  a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the hearing to reserve time to present testimony.

The WebEx information for the virtual public hearing will be available through the Public Participation tab on DEP’s website.

All comments, whether delivered orally during the virtual hearing or submitted in writing to RA-EPPENNEAST@pa.gov carry equal weight and consideration with DEP. Written comments will be accepted until close of business on January 20.

Read the entire PA Bulletin notice for more information (PA Bulletin, page 7107).

For more information, visit DEP’s PennEast Pipeline Project webpage.

[Posted: December 31, 2020]

1/4/2021