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PennEast pipeline, originally planned as a 120 mile interstate fracked gas pipeline from Luzerne County in Pennsylvania to Mercer County in New Jersey, is now radically changing its application in an attempt to build “Phase 1” of this pipeline in Pennsylvania only. In its new plan, PennEast would run through Luzerne, Carbon, and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania and then interconnect to the Adelphia pipeline, which runs through Bucks, Montgomery, Chester, and Delaware counties. PennEast is slated to be built through some of the most pristine and valuable natural resources in the Delaware River Watershed.

This radically different plan should be considered a new application with a new public participation period. Yet, DEP is treating this major change as a minor modification with no public comment or public hearings. The public must have an opportunity to voice concerns to DEP.

You can use the form below to submit a pre-written letter to DEP and/ or add your own personal comments.

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DEP PennEast

Subject: Comments for permits ESG02000160002, E40-780, E13-185, E48-435, and E09-998

Message:

I urge the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to re-open a public comment period on PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC’s (PennEast) Erosion and Sediment Control (Chapter 102) and Water Encroachment (Chapter 105) permit application and deficiency letters, and to hold public meetings coupled with public hearings in each impacted county at a time when it is safe to meet.

While the DEP previously provided a 30-day comment period in March 2019, the project proposal has changed radically since that time and can no longer be considered the same project. PennEast now proposes a “Phase 1” construction plan in Pennsylvania with interconnection to the Adelphia Gateway pipeline. Before further considering these permits, DEP must provide opportunities for official public participation and require PennEast to provide all missing information and address all outstanding deficiencies in its permit applications.

PennEast’s permit applications remain incomplete and inaccurate, even after multiple rounds of extensions. Applications are still missing key sections previously requested by DEP, including streambank stabilization plans for each stream crossing and an analysis of impacts to public and private drinking water wells from contamination.

Additionally, PennEast’s six to nine month construction timeline is wildly unrealistic. Since construction sites will very likely remain active for much longer than PennEast anticipates, leaving loose and erodible soil exposed for long periods, PennEast must address these runoff and erosion issues to protect surrounding waterways.

The PennEast pipeline threatens the health of our watersheds and will negatively impact many of the region’s most valued recreation destinations, waterways, and conservation areas without providing any public benefits. Construction would irreparably harm streams, as demonstrated by the construction of the Mariner East pipelines, while also fragmenting and disturbing the forest habitats of federal and state listed endangered species. PennEast’s original argument that this pipeline serves a public need by bringing natural gas to New Jersey is not valid anymore since the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has rejected PennEast’s permit applications.

Furthermore, DEP should not issue permits for PennEast while approval is still pending before the Delaware River Basin Commission. In addition, DEP should not issue any permits during the COVID-19 pandemic; DEP is at reduced capacity and large construction projects requiring extensive field oversight should wait until a safer time. Finally, given the extensive impact the PennEast pipeline would have on the environment and communities along its route, and the recent vast change in scope of the project, it is imperative that DEP open a new public comment period and hold public meetings coupled with public hearings when it safe to do so, before making final decisions on PennEast’s Chapter 102 and Chapter 105 permits.

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