The Department of Environmental Protection published notices in the February 17 PA Bulletin extending the comment period on the Chapter 105 (Encroachment) permits and inviting comment on the Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sedimentation) General Permit Notice of Intent for the proposed Shell Falcon Ethane Pipeline in Allegheny, Beaver and Washington counties. (PA Bulletin page 1036)
DEP has also elected to hold a public hearing in each of the counties on the pipeline route: Allegheny, Beaver, and Washington. Details are being confirmed and will be posted, noticed in newspapers and the Pennsylvania Bulletin, and conveyed in a press release once finalized.
“After receiving a significant number of requests for a comment period extension, we believe it to be in the best interest of community participation to provide additional time for the public to provide thoughtful and constructive input on the proposed project,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell. “As DEP conducts a thorough review of the permit applications and associated documents, we believe the addition of public hearings and the comment period extension will provide greater opportunities for the public to review the project materials and weigh in,” added McDonnell.
A technical review is being conducted by DEP engineers and biologists and county conservation districts to ensure the applications meet all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
The project involves a total of 59.6 miles of 12-inch pipeline -- 11.6 miles in Allegheny County, 30 miles in Beaver County and 18 miles in Washington County. The completed ethane pipeline will connect the Shell ethane plant in Beaver County with facilities in other parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Public comments are due April 17. Instructions on how to comment are contained in the PA Bulletin notices.
More information is available on DEP’s Southwest Regional Office Shell webpage.NewsClip:
DEP Extends Comment Period On Shell Ethane Pipeline
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