This approval is good news for all Pennsylvanians because the pipeline will provide NatGas to homes and industries throughout the commonwealth creating jobs and opportunities for a wide variety of people.

Federal regulators say a large natural gas transmission line planned to run through parts of central Pennsylvania will create limited environmental impacts.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released its final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the proposed Atlantic Sunrise pipeline Friday.

The Atlantic Sunrise is a $3 billion expansion of the Transco system. It’s designed to move Marcellus Shale gas from Susquehanna County in northeastern Pennsylvania as far south as Alabama and to the Cove Point export terminal on the Chesapeake Bay.

“We determined that construction and operation of the project would result in some adverse environmental impacts,” FERC staff writes. “But impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with the implementation of Transco’s proposed and our recommended mitigation measures.

Chris Stockton is a spokesman for Williams, which operates the Transco system. He says the company is pleased with the final EIS.

“It really represents to us the culmination of about two years of effort,” he says. “At the end of the day, I think it reflects our commitment to minimize impacts to people and the environment.”

Stockton says Williams anticipates receiving final FERC approval for the project as early as February.

The pipeline has faced fierce opposition from some landowners along the route.

According to FERC, construction is expected to affect 3,741 acres of land, including 388 water bodies. Commission staff also found eight federally listed species that could be potentially impacted within the project area. Permanent operation of the pipeline would require a total of 1,235 acres of land, and the remaining area disturbed during construction would be restored.

Joseph Barone
www.ShaleDirectories.com