Actions You Can Take

ORGANIZATIONAL SIGN-ON LETTERS

Pipeline Protest Bill Sign-On Letter – Deadline Monday, February 25

Restore Pennsylvania Sign-On Letter – Deadline Thursday, February 28th

INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATIONAL SIGN-ON LETTER

DRBC Re: PENNEAST – Deadline TBA

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeA_-_coqZwDmbQLBHAsYbdwUo-vPtLattWFxHyeNjYnRRFqw/viewform

COMMENT PERIODS

MARINER EAST – in spite of the fact that the state has shut down construction of ME2, the PA DEP is accepting comments per a reevaluation that was already scheduled.

Mariner East – Various deadlines from 2/26 – 3/7 (see chart below) (See our comment on S3-0250 here and on S3-0200 here)

https://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/ProgramIntegration/Pennsylvania-Pipeline-Portal/Pages/HDD-Reevaluation-Reports.aspx

E31-234 PA-HU-0110.0000-SR-16 S2-0155 Tell Huntingdon 2/26/19
E21-449 PA-CU-0062.0000-WX-16 S2-0170 Lower Frankford Cumberland 2/25/19
E07-459 PA-BL-0001.0031-RD-16 S2-0109 Blair Blair 2/27/19
E06-701 PA-BR-0181.0000-RD-16 S3-0250 Caernarvon Berks 2/27/19
E11-352 PA-CA-0069.0000.RD-16 S2-0080 Munster Cambria 2/28/19
E06-701 PA-BR-0071.0000-RD-16 S3-0200 Cumru & Spring Berks 3/1/19
E31-234 PA-HU-0106.0000-RD-16 S2-0154 Shirley Huntingdon 3/5/19
E22-617 PA-DA-0056.0000-RD S3-0080 Derry Dauphin 3/5/19
E22-617 PA-DA-0005.0000-RD-16 S3-0011 Lower Swatara Dauphin 3/5/19
E67-920 PA-YO-0016.0000-RD-16 S2-0260 Fairview York 3/7/19
E38-194 PA-LE-0005.0000-RD-16 S3-0091 South Londonderry Lebanon 3/7/19

ADELPHIA GATEWAY – This is an extension of a deadline, so please comment right away.

Adelphia Gateway – March 1 – Forwarding message from Arianne Elinich, Bucks County CCAP 

We strongly encourage everyone who is concerned about this pipeline project to take advantage of this additional opportunity to share their concerns about the project with the FERC (Reference Docket Numbers CP18-46-000). 

For talking points, check out some of these recent comments:

Also, as a reminder, if you have not already filed as an intervener, now is as good a time as ever!  To become an intervener, first register with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at this link and then e-file an official Motion to Intervene.  

The FERC has given us an unexpected extended opportunity to share our input on this project, let’s not let it go to waste!  

PENNEAST – FERC and PA DEP have announced comment periods on different issues. FERC has opened a new docket on proposed rerouting in a few locations. PA DEP is accepting comments on water quality permits for the pipeline. It is worth commenting that you’re not sure what you’re supposed to be commenting on – the approved route or the one that is currently being proposed.

PennEast – FERC – Deadline to intervene and comment – March 8

To make things easier on PennEast and harder on you, FERC has assigned a new docket number for this project. If you’d already submitted a motion to intervene in the past, you really need to submit a new motion on this docket number — CP19-78. The deadline to intervene is March 8th.

Here are instructions on filing a motion to intervene on FERC’s website:  https://gastruth.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/FERC-process_DTE.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0pc3OY2nLd4Lg9GxMbWJ3_OVHIGM-gvljFQyI5ZFF7MY5c27yeRZ5BZ2s

PennEast – PA DEP – March 18 (See Berks Gas Truth’s comments here)

WATER OBSTRUCTIONS AND ENCROACHMENTS

Regional Permit Coordination Office: 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, Domenic Rocco, PE, Program Manager, 717-772-5987.

Permittee: PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC, 1 Meridian Boulevard, Suite 2C01, Wyomissing, PA 19610, PennEast Pipeline Project.

 The applicant is proposing the installation and maintenance of an approximately 77.3-mile-long, 36-inch diameter pipeline and appurtenant facilities in various municipalities within Luzerne, Carbon, Monroe, Northampton and Bucks Counties for the purpose of transporting natural gas from Marcellus Shale production areas to an existing pipeline in Mercer County, NJ. The project also includes 0.5 mile of 4-inch diameter Blue Mountain Lateral and 2.1-mile-long, 24-inch diameter Hellertown Lateral. The project consists of four Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits and one Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control Permit. Below are the permit applications being reviewed by the Department.

E40-780. The Luzerne County portion of the project is located in Bear Creek Township, Dallas Township, Jenkins Township, Kingston Township, Laflin Township, Plains Township, West Wyoming Borough and Wyoming Borough, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia and Baltimore District. The proposed project starts along Hildebrandt Road approximately 0.30 mile northeast of its intersection with Conyngham Avenue (Kingston, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 41° 20` 58.6″; Longitude -75° 54` 56.0″) and extending easterly to approximately 2.30 miles southeast of State Route 0115 along the Luzerne/Carbon County Line (Pleasant View Summit, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 41° 07` 53.09″; Longitude -75° 41` 17.67″).

 The proposed project impacts in Luzerne County include a total of 3,563 feet of temporary impacts and 2,013 feet of permanent impacts to Trout Brook (CWF, MF), Tributary to Trout Brook (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Abrahams Creek (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Toby Creek (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Susquehanna River (CWF, MF), Susquehanna River (WWF, MF), Gardners Creek (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Mill Creek (CWF, MF), Mill Creek (CWF, MF), Deep Creek (CWF, MF), Tributary to Deep Creek (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Little Bear Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Bear Creek (H-CWF, MF), Bear Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Meadow Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributary to Meadow Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Little Shades Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Little Shades Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Stony Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Stony Run (HQ-CWF, MF); 6.5 acres of floodway impacts; 3.14 acres of temporary impacts to PEM, PSS and PFO wetlands; and 2.36 acres of permanent impacts to PEM, PSS and PFO wetlands. To compensate for the proposed permanent project impacts in Luzerne County, the applicant is proposing 3.17 acres of wetland mitigation through a combination of wetland creation and wetland enhancement.

E13-185. The Carbon County portion of the project is located in Kidder Township, Lower Towamensing Township, Penn Forest Township and Towamensing Township, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District. The proposed project starts approximately 2.30 miles southeast of State Route 0115 along the Luzerne/Carbon County Line (Pleasant View Summit, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 41° 07` 53.09″; Longitude -75° 41` 17.67″) and extends easterly to approximately 0.50 mile south of State Route 3002 along the Carbon/Monroe County Line (Kunkletown, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 40° 49` 18.92″; Longitude -75° 28` 41.26″).

 The proposed project impacts in Carbon County include a total of 1,423 feet of temporary impacts and 1,120 feet of permanent impacts to Tributary to Lime Hollow (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Black Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Hawk Run (HQ-CWF, MF), tributaries to Laurel Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Mud Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Mud Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Stony Creek (EV, MF), Yellow Run (EV, MF), Tributaries to Yellow Run (EV, MF), Tributary to Wild Creek (EV, MF), Wild Creek (EV, MF), Tributaries to White Oak Run (EV, MF), White Oak Run (EV, MF), Tributaries to Pohopoco Creek (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Hunter Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Buckwha Creek (CWF, MF), Aquashicola Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Aquashicola Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributary to Black Creek (HQ-CWF, MF); 7.00 acres of floodway impacts; 5.54 acres of temporary impacts to PEM, PSS and PFO wetlands; and 6.88 acres of permanent impacts to PEM, PSS and PFO wetlands. To compensate for the proposed permanent project impacts in Carbon County, the applicant is proposing 4.40 acres of wetland mitigation through wetland enhancement.

E48-435. The Northampton County portion of the project is located in Bethlehem Township, East Allen Township, City of Easton, Lower Nazareth Township, Lower Saucon Township, Moore Township, Upper Nazareth Township and Williams Township, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District. The proposed project starts approximately 0.50 mile south of State Route 3002 along the Monroe/Northampton County Line (Kunkletown, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 40° 48` 54.81″; Longitude -75° 26` 17.91″) and extends easterly along County Line Road E approximately 420 feet from its intersection with Bougher Hill Road along the Northampton/Bucks County Line (Riegelsville, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 40° 36` 00.12″; Longitude -75° 12` 57.71″).

 The proposed project impacts in Northampton County include a total of 672 feet of temporary impacts and 1102 feet of permanent impacts to Tributaries to Indian Creek (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Hokendauqua Creek (CWF, MF), Hokendauqua Creek (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Monocacy Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Monocacy Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to East Monocacy Creek (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Lehigh River (CWF, MF), Lehigh Coal & Navigation Canal (WWF, MF), Lehigh River (WWF, MF), Tributaries to Bull Run (CWF, MF), Tributaries to Frya Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Frya Run (HQ-CWF, MF), Tributaries to Cooks Creek (EV, MF), Bull Run (CWF, MF); 6.71 acres of floodway impacts; 2.14 acres of temporary impacts to PEM, PSS and PFO wetlands; and 2.11 acres of permanent impacts to PEM, PSS and PFO wetlands. To compensate for the proposed permanent project impacts in Northampton County, the applicant is proposing 2.8 acres of wetland mitigation through wetland enhancement.

E09-998. The Bucks County portion of the project is located in Durham Township and Riegelsville Borough, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia District. The proposed project starts at County Line Road East approximately 420 feet from its intersection with Bougher Hill Road along the Northampton/Bucks County Line (Riegelsville, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 40° 36` 00.12″; Longitude -75° 12` 57.71″) and extends southeasterly approximately 1.7 mile through Bucks County to the Delaware River approximately 0.2 mile south of Riegelsville (Riegelsville, PA Quadrangle Latitude: 40° 35` 02.28″; Longitude -75° 11` 35.43″).

 The proposed project impacts in Bucks County include a total of 14 feet of temporary impacts and 326 feet of permanent impacts to a Tributary to the Delaware River (WWF, MF), Delaware Canal (WWF, MF), and Delaware River (WWF, MF); 0.20 acre of floodway impacts; and 0.08 acre of permanent impacts to PFO wetlands.

EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PERMITS

 The following parties have applied for Erosion and Sediment Control Permits for earth disturbance associated with oil and gas exploration, production, processing, or treatment operations or transmission facilities.

 Unless otherwise indicated, on the basis of preliminary review and application of lawful standards and regulations, the Department proposes to issue a permit to discharge, subject to certain limitations in the permit conditions. These proposed determinations are tentative. Limitations are provided as erosion and sediment control best management practices which restrict the rate and quantity of sediment discharged.

 A person wishing to comment on a proposed permit are invited to submit a statement to the appropriate Department office listed before the application within 30 days of this public notice. Comments reviewed within this 30-day period will be considered in the formulation of the final determinations regarding this application. Responses should include the name, address and telephone number of the writer and a concise statement to inform the Department of the exact basis of a comment and relevant facts upon which it is based. A public hearing may be held after consideration of comments received by the appropriate Department office during the 30-day public comment period.

 Following the 30-day comment period, the program manager from the appropriate Department office will make a final determination regarding the proposed permit. Notice of this determination will be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin at which time this determination may be appealed to United States Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, 21400 U.S. Courthouse, 601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106-1790.

 The application and related documents, including the erosion and sediment control plan for the earth disturbance activity, are on file and may be inspected at the appropriate Department office.

 Persons with a disability that require an auxiliary aid, service or other accommodation to participate during the 30-day public comment period should contact the specified Department office. TDD users may contact the Department through the Pennsylvania AT&T Relay Service at (800) 654-5984.


Applications received under sections 5 and 402 of The Clean Streams Law (35 P.S. §§ 691.5 and 691.402).


Regional Permit Coordination Office: 400 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, Domenic Rocco, PE, Program Manager, 717-772-5987.

Permittee: PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC, 1 Meridian Boulevard, Suite 2C01, Wyomissing, PA 19610, PennEast Pipeline Project.

 The applicant is proposing the installation and maintenance of an approximately 77.3-mile-long, 36-inch diameter pipeline and appurtenant facilities in various municipalities within Luzerne, Carbon, Monroe, North-ampton and Bucks Counties for the purpose of transporting natural gas from Marcellus Shale production areas to an existing pipeline in Mercer County, New Jersey. The project also includes 0.5 miles of 4-inch diameter Blue Mountain Lateral and 2.1-mile-long, 24-inch diameter Hellertown Lateral. The project consists of four Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permits and one Chapter 102 Erosion and Sediment Control Permit. Below are the permit applications being reviewed by the Department.

ESG02000160001. The Department of Environmental Protection (Department) provides notice of receipt of an application for a Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit for Earth Disturbance Associated with Oil and Gas Exploration, Production, Processing or Treatment Operations or Transmission Facilities. The application is currently under technical review for PennEast Pipeline Project, including the associated compressor stations, metering stations, regulator stations and valve stations, access roads and other ancillary earth disturbance activities.

 This authorization is required for earth disturbance activities associated with oil and gas exploration, production, processing or treatment operations or transmission facilities when earth disturbance is 5 acres or greater. Review of this application is being coordinated among the Department and the associated county conservation districts.

 The application under review is as follows:

Permit No. Applicant Name & Address Counties DEP Office
ESG02000160001 PennEast Pipeline Company
1 Meridian Boulevard
Suite 2C01
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Luzerne, Carbon,
Monroe, Northampton & Bucks Counties
Regional Permitting Coordination Office

 More detailed information regarding the Chapter 102 and Chapter 105 permit applications related to this proposed project is available in the Department’s Regional Permit Coordination Office and available online (dep.pa.gov/pipelines). Contact the Department’s Regional Permit Coordination Office File Review Coordinator at 717-772-5987 to request a file review.

 Comments on the applications can be emailed or sent via postal mail to the Department of Environmental Protection, Regional Permit Coordination Office, Rachel Carson Building, 400 Market Street, 10th Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17101, RA-EPPENNEAST@pa.gov.

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 19-215. Filed for public inspection February 15, 2019, 9:00 a.m.]

SOS Rally Re: Mariner East – March 19, 10 a.m., Main Rotunda

https://www.facebook.com/events/783096618717926/
Organizational sign-on to support the rally – https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcmbF0Z1qCqyuHzHAEtF7LWgqioKWtIRN_6qgVonUNGxfMLg/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0idHFqk6inLMm1Qap8JHNcGhjELbLL9EvtmGpQZvCrLZnzykIwuT6UrQ4

Stop the Pipelines Art Installation – April 8 – 12, National Mall, Washington, D.C.

https://www.facebook.com/events/320370585253539/

Art installation will incorporate stories from impacted communities – Share your story! Deadline March 1

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGIIi9v2qqmJmcLwTLhgNFUpTySH2pJ26tg1CrYZw-30Xv5A/viewform?usp=sf_link