The project would build the pipelines within a 30-foot wide permanent right-of-way and a temporary right-of-way that varies in width.
The company proposes open cut crossings of nine streams and one wetland. The stream crossings include--
-- Hackett Fork - Exceptional Value, Wild Trout Stream
-- Ott Fork - High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
-- Bennys Run (Channel 4) - High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
-- Bennys Run (Channel 5) - High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
-- Bark Cabin Run - High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
-- Silver Branch (Channel 9A)- High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
-- Silver Branch (Channel 10)- High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
-- Bennys Run (Channel 12) - High Quality-Cold Water Fishery, Wild Trout Stream
DEP originally held a comment period on the project in October and November of 2023. Read more here.
Alternative Route
On June 18, PennLive reported the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited proposed an alternative route that involves fewer impacts on wild trout streams.
The Mid State Trail Association pointed out the original pipeline route is adjacent to and crosses the Mid State Trail and “will have a significant, direct and detrimental impact” on the Trail.
“We recognize the oil and gas industry’s economic footprint in the area is formidable but believe the industry must also recognize and be sensitive to the fact that outdoor recreation and tourism is also a vital economic engine for north central Pennsylvania,” MSTA president Ed Lawrence stated in a letter to the Department of Environmental Protection.
Registering To Testify
Individuals who wish to present testimony at the virtual hearing and for inclusion in the administrative record must contact Megan Lehman, Regional Communications Manager, by email at meglehman@pa.gov or by phone at 570-327-3659 before noon on Monday, July 1, 2024, to reserve a time to present testimony.
A link for those testifying to access the virtual hearing will be provided upon registration.
Those wishing only to listen and not testify may join the hearing via phone or internet connection. Access information can be found on the Virtual Public Hearing webpage or by contacting Megan Lehman.
Submitting Comments
Persons unable to attend the public hearing can submit a written statement to the DEP by close of business on Monday, July 22, 2024.
Written statements should be sent via the U.S. Postal Service to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Eastern Oil and Gas District Office, 208 West Third Street Suite 101, Williamsport, PA 17701, or emailed to RA-EPEASTERNOGPRG@pa.gov.
Click Here to read the entire public hearing notice.
For more information on environmental programs in Pennsylvania, visit DEP’s website, Report Emergencies, Submit Environmental Complaints; Click Here to sign up for DEP’s newsletter; sign up for DEP’s eNotice; visit DEP’s Blog, Like DEP on Facebook, Follow DEP on Twitter and visit DEP’s YouTube Channel.
Resource Links:
-- Williamsport Sun: Mid State Trail Assn., Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited Challenge PA General Energy Multiple Shale Gas Pipeline Plan In Northwestern Lycoming County
PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:
-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - June 22 [PaEN]
-- DEP Posted 53 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In June 22 PA Bulletin [PaEN]
Related Articles This Week:
-- PUC: Act 13 Drilling Impact Fee Revenue Drops $100 Million From Last Year’s Record To $179.6 Million; Puts Hole In State, Local Budgets [PaEN]
-- PUC To Hold July 15 Prehearing Conference On Future Of Venango Water Company, Related Companies As Follow-Up To Conventional Oil Well Wastewater Spill In Venango County [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Marcellus Drilling News: Onerous New Regulations Approved For PA Liquids Pipelines, Landmen
-- Warren Times Guest Essay: Abandoned Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Still Pose A Threat - By Amanda Veazey, Geologist, CSR Services, LLC, Crawford County
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Shale Gas Drilling Impact Fees Bring In $180 Million For 2023 On Lower Gas Price, Less Drilling
-- Observer-Reporter: Shale Gas Impact Fee Funds Plummet Due To Low Natural Gas Prices
-- The Energy Age Blog: Act 13 Shale Gas Impact Fee Drops $100 Million From Last Year’s Record, Even Though Gas Production Increased In 2023
-- TribLive: Natural Gas Well Impact Fee Allocations Drop; But ‘Every Little Bit Helps’
-- Marcellus Shale Coalition: Shale Gas Impact Fee Returns $180 Million [$100 Million Less Than Last Year]; Natural Gas Prices Drop $1.8 Billion In 2023, [Down From International Price Spikes Of 2022]
-- TribLive: North Huntingdon Twp Could Get Nearly $7,000 For Gas Rights Under Township Land In Westmoreland County
-- Kleinman Center For Energy Policy Podcast: How Potential For Global LNG Gas Oversupply Could Affect The Competitiveness Of The US Industry
-- The Allegheny Front - Reid Frazier: CNX Plan To Turn Mine Methane Gas Into Jet Fuel A ‘Win-Win’ Or Carbon Accounting ‘Gimmick’?
-- BeaverCountian.com: Shell Petrochemical Plant’s Sirens Caused Alarm In Beaver County; Company Took Nearly A Month To Address Middle-of-the-Night Alarms
-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Shell Petrochemical Plant Explains Nighttime Fire Alarms At Beaver County Plant, Warns Sirens Will Sound Later This Week
-- KDKA: Shell Petrochemical Plant Holding Emergency Drill TODAY In Beaver County
-- The Center Square - Anthony Hennen: Will Creating Hydrogen Hubs In PA Get Us Away From Fossil Fuels? But How To Do It, And Whether It’s Possible Are Open Questions
-- CNHInews: Advocates Urge True Clean Energy Approach For Hydrogen, Others Pine For PA’s Natural Gas
-- Bloomberg: Cracks Appearing In LNG Gas Demand By China As Gas Supply Via Pipelines Grows
-- Reuters: Oil Companies Flare More Natural Gas, Defying Effort To Eliminate Practice
-- Reuters: Fossil Fuel Use, Emissions Hit Records In 2023, Report Says
[Posted: June 18, 2024] PA Environment Digest
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