PA Environment Digest Blog: Delaware River Basin Commission Approves Extension Of Permit For Proposed Docks At Gibbstown LNG Gas Export Terminal In NJ

On September 10, the Delaware River Basin Commission adopted a resolution extending the permit for the construction of docks at the proposed Gibbstown LNG Gas Export Terminal in New Jersey through June 12, 2030 after finding the project had not changed materially from when it was originally proposed and the project developer had "diligently pursued" the project.

The motion to approve was made by the state of New Jersey and seconded by the state of Pennsylvania.

The Commissioners did not discuss the motion and voted unanimous to approve the motion by all four state Commissioners and the Commissioner for the Federal government.

The action was taken after an opportunity for public comment was provided in April 2025 on the proposed extension.

DRBC noted it received 862 comments "all of which objected to the requested extension" based on material changes to the project-- the construction of two underground gas storage caverns in an upland area near the project, the potential to transport LNG gas by truck to the project site and that the project sponsor did not diligently pursue construction of the project.

DRBC found, among other factors, litigation was still going on that delayed the start of the project and the construction of the cavern storage areas was unrelated to dredging and construction activities for construction of the dock.

The text of the DRBC resolution includes a procedural history of the project before the Commission and a description of actions related to the project.

DRBC published a comment/response document as part of the documents released today.

Click Here for more information.

Statement By Opposition Groups

The Delaware RiverKeeper Network and other groups released a statement on the DRBC decision which said in part--

“In approving an unwarranted extension of the docket for the Gibbstown LNG terminal, DRBC is betraying its obligations to ensure the best interests of our river, watershed and communities.

“Proponents of the Gibbstown LNG terminal have been unable to demonstrate a need or value for this project.

“But the science and data have proven that operation of the Gibbstown LNG terminal will unleash irreversible harm on our river communities, and at the same time will drive up fossil fuel development and fracking elsewhere in Pennsylvania, unleashing disastrous consequences for neighboring communities and future generations.

“Today’s extension of the docket approval for Gibbstown, particularly given the lack of transparency over what was to be voted upon in advance of the meeting, is simply obscene,” said Maya van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper.

“The DRBC’s vote to extend this permit is an outrageous betrayal of the communities along the Delaware River," said Kate Delaney, Senior Organizer with Food & Water Watch. "For years, the public has made it clear that the Gibbstown LNG terminal is a reckless threat to our health, safety, and climate.

“Instead of heeding science and community opposition, the DRBC has chosen to prop up a failing fossil fuel export scheme that endangers residents on both sides of the river and locks us deeper into climate chaos. This isn’t just a step in the wrong direction — it’s a betrayal of the public trust,” added Delaney.

“We are in the midst of a climate crisis and our communities are calling for strong leaders to protect their interests, protect our resources, and improve the climate. The DRBC’s vote today completely contradicts these calls for justice. The science is unchanged — fossil fuel infrastructure puts communities and our shared environment at risk. Today’s vote shows that the DRBC is not willing to listen to or protect the people that it’s meant to serve,” said Taylor Jaffe, Program Manager at Catskill Mountainkeeper.

“The DRBC has, once again, failed to protect the safety of all who live near the Gibbstown Terminal and the many pipelines and transit routes that supply natural gas and LNG to the terminal, as well as those who will be exposed to the danger of shipping vast quantities of LNG down the Delaware River for export. Along with the danger of explosions, leaks of methane from extraction, transport and liquefaction of natural gas are now being shown to be greater than previously assumed and are thus playing a far greater role in our increasingly frightening climate crisis,” said Coralie Pryde, Natural Resources Committee of the League of Women Voters of Delaware.

“Today’s vote approving the extension of the permit for the proposed Gibbstown LNG Export Terminal is an atrocious mistake that will lay unbearable burdens on our communities and will destroy the Delaware River environment and ecosystems. It also will worsen the climate crisis as methane emissions are released by the fracked gas that will feed this export scheme. We condemn this foolish decision and will never stop fighting it,” said Tracy Carluccio, Deputy Director, Delaware Riverkeeper Network.

"Today's vote was about much more than a permit extension. By voting in favor of the Gibbstown LNG export terminal extension, the DRBC turned its back on the river, on the people who live in the watershed, and on future generations that will live with the consequences of the Commission's refusal to take even the smallest action to mitigate the already-unfolding climate disaster. Today's vote was about understanding those consequences, as the Commissioners do, and still deciding to make the wrong choice. When future generations ask why our government did nothing when they had the chance, nobody will be able to say it was because they didn't know any better," said Karen Feridun, Founder, Berks Gas Truth.

“By further greenlighting the construction of this highly polluting facility on the banks of the Delaware River, the DRBC’s action today will lead to higher utility bills, a dirtier river and a spike in the burning of dirty fossil fuels,” said Mark A. Izeman, Senior Attorney for Environmental Health at the Natural Resources Defense Council. “Instead of upholding its mission to protect the Delaware River basin, the DRBC is sidestepping its own rules by approving this application.”

“We will not become a sacrifice zone to liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal buildout. Physicians for Social Responsibility PA denounces DRBC’s shameful decision to renew the extension of the proposed Gibbstown LNG Export Terminal Dock. The Gibbstown LNG Export Terminal DOCK2 project presents a severe public safety threat; exposing well over 1.2 million people to risk of exposure should there be an accident or a release of LNG. They will layer more pollution on communities - especially on environmental justice communities that would be saddled with more LNG pollution that is harming public health and shortening lives. PSR PA is committed to stopping LNG terminals on the Delaware River and will hold DRBC to their obligation to protect the watershed.” said Josephine Gingerich, Health Advocacy Outreach Coordinator, Physicians for Social Responsibility PA.

The DRBC regulations require that the Commissioners vote at a public meeting on the request for a permit extension but the Resolution process does not allow for public comment unless 3 or more Commissioners request the Executive Director of the DRBC to hold one prior to the public vote.

After the DRBC Business Meeting was adjourned, a customary 1-hour public comment session was held.

The groups said commenters took the opportunity to blast the Commission and expressed deep disappointment in the approval of the permit extension and the lack of the opportunity to speak up at a Public Hearing on the many issues the troubled project poses for the region.

Background On The Project

This background on the project was provided by the project opponents.

The DRBC original approval of the Dock 2 project at the Gibbstown Logistics Center included dredging of the river and the building of a 2-berth dock in the Delaware River that would be used by tanker ships for the export of LNG by Delaware River Partners, an affiliate of New Fortress Energy.

The approval was the subject of an appeal brought by Delaware Riverkeeper Network in 2019 that concluded in December 2020 after a Hearing and a vote by the DRBC Commissioners to allow the LNG export terminal to move ahead.

DRN unsuccessfully appealed the approval.

The Dock has not been built and is currently on hold because of a permit requirement that no dredging, construction or other disturbance can occur in the water at the site to protect the federally endangered Atlantic sturgeon found in the Delaware.

The prohibition of river disturbance runs from March 15 to September 15, when, if all approvals from other entities are in place, construction of the Dock 2 Project could potentially begin.

Many aspects of the Project have fallen apart, the groups said, such as the loss of a critical federal permit to transport LNG by rail from Wyalusing Township, Bradford County, where shale gas was supposed to be liquified and transported by train over 200 miles to Gibbstown for export overseas.

It is not known where DRP would get LNG for export since the Wyalusing site is currently being repurposed by New Fortress Energy (aka Klondike) for a power facility and A.I. data center, with applications pending with PA Department of Environmental Protection.

The Gibbstown site has also been repurposed for other projects by Delaware River Partners such as a large underground cavern liquid gas storage system for which NJ Dept of Environmental Protection permits are pending for the proposed caverns.

Plans for these and aboveground storage and infrastructure for natural gas liquids/liquid petroleum gases, but not LNG, have been proposed for the site.

The terminal location is surrounded by densely populated communities whose safety is jeopardized, including environmental justice communities in Paulsboro, NJ, and across the river in Pennsylvania.

The site is made up of vast wetlands and is connected to the vulnerable ecosystems and habitats of the Delaware River.

Operated today as the Repauno Terminal, the site is still under remediation for contamination by DuPont, which had manufactured munitions at the site for over 100 years – the Dock 2 Project would interfered with the cleanup of the polluted site, according to the groups.

The Dock 2 LNG wharf would require dredging and river construction that would have destroyed irreplaceable habitat for the federally endangered Atlantic Sturgeon and other keystone marine life, including rare aquatic vegetation, and would stir up PCBs and other toxic pollutants that are now buried in the river.

For copies of the letters, DRBC records, and submissions related to this issue go to the DRN Supporting Documents webpage.

Click Here for a copy of the full statement.

NewsClip:

-- Delaware Currents: DRBC Grants 5-Year Extension For Gibbstown, NJ LNG Gas Export Facility Dock Project

PA Oil & Gas Industry Public Notice Dashboards:

-- PA Oil & Gas Weekly Compliance Dashboard - Sept. 6 to 12 - Disposing Of 4.6 Million Gallons Of Oil & Gas Wastewater; 18,000 Gallon Drilling Spill; Failure To Restore Pipeline Right-Of-Way - Again [PaEN]

-- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - September 13 [PaEN]

-- DEP Posted 82 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In September 13 PA Bulletin [PaEN]