PennEast pipeline approval delayed

According to ReThink Energy NJ, PennEast's proposed pipeline project in NJ and PA is considerably delayed in gaining necessary approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state agencies, affected by the trend of beleaguered gas pipeline projects throughout the US, and widespread, growing opposition by legislators, regulatory agencies and the public.

FERC recently announced a schedule that delays its review of the project by as much as a year. In a press release on 4 April 2016, PennEast acknowledged the delay, stating: "Based on a preliminary review, PennEast anticipates an in-service date in the second half of 2018 rather than late 2017."

FERC continues to request missing information from PennEast needed to complete the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). FERC's most recent request made on 3 June highlights missing alternatives analyses and surveys of critical wildlife habitats.

"Highly relevant to PennEast's problem-ridden application is the fact that multiple natural gas infrastructure projects have faced unprecedented regulatory problems in recent months," said Tom Gilbert, Campaign Director, ReThink Energy NJ and New Jersey Conservation Foundation. "We believe these issues signal a change in the regulatory fabric of the natural gas industry, which will impact the PennEast project."

"PennEast is facing enormous opposition and is under intense scrutiny by regulatory agencies and the public," Gilbert said. "The problems they've encountered thus far indicate that PennEast could be the next pipeline to go down."

Edited from source by Stephanie Roker

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/equipment-and-safety/10062016/penneast-pipeline-approval-delayed/