DEP to Host Virtual Public Hearing on Regional Pipeline Project

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will host a virtual public hearing on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. regarding Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company LLC (Transco) permit applications for the proposed 36-mile Regional Energy Access Expansion Pipeline project.

The project will extend through seven counties: Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and York. The hearing will end at 10 p.m. if all those who wish to offer testimony have had the opportunity to do so.

The DEP's Regional Permit Coordination Office (RPCO) is currently reviewing three permit applications by Transco for the project: a Chapter 102 (Erosion Control) permit application for earth disturbance activities in Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Bucks, and Chester counties; and two Chapter 105 (Dam Safety and Waterway Management) permit applications for water obstructions and encroachments in Luzerne and Monroe counties. The project will not require earth disturbances in Delaware or York counties.

The pipeline is an expansion of Transco's existing natural gas transmission system that will provide an incremental 829,400 dekatherms per day of natural gas capacity from the Marcellus Shale production area in northeastern Pennsylvania. The project will consist of new pipelines, a new gas-fired turbine-driven compressor station, addition of gas-fired turbine-driven compressor units at existing compressor stations, modification and uprate of existing compressors, abandonment of existing gas-fired compressors, modifications to existing compressor stations, modifications to existing pipeline tie-ins, addition of regulation controls at an existing valve setting, and modifications to existing regulators.

Anyone who wishes 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 is available on DEP's Virtual Public Hearings webpage. All comments, whether delivered orally during the virtual hearing or submitted in writing to RA-EPREGIONALPERMIT@pa.gov carry equal weight and consideration with DEP. Written comments concerning the pipeline project will be accepted until close of business on Oct. 12 at 4 p.m.