FERC has issued a certificate to the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC (Transco) Regional Energy Access Expansion Project (REAE), but environmental groups are planning to oppose it.
The project would expand natural gas capacity from the shale fields of Northeast Pennsylvania to other delivery points in the state, along with those in New Jersey and Maryland. Transco has argued that the project would enhance access to natural gas supply in the region by easing constraints caused by limited pipeline takeaway capacity.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authorized the project earlier this month, but the Commission stayed the certificate for 30 days to give impacted landowners time to file for a rehearing of the decision.
FERC said in its approval that several affected landowners had intervened and protested, noting that Transco had not acquired all the necessary property interests for the project.
Transco on Tuesday filed a motion to lift the stay, arguing it would cause hardship for the company and its shippers. The Williams affiliate said it reached an agreement to secure property rights with Reading Blue Mountain & Northern Railroad, which it said was the only remaining holdout. The company also said a stay was unnecessary as it has no intention to begin eminent domain proceedings.
The project would expand Transco’s existing interstate pipeline system to move another 829.4 MMcf/d of natural gas. In addition to equipment modifications, the project includes constructing 22.3 miles of 30-inch diameter lateral pipeline and 13.8 miles of 42-inch diameter loop pipeline in Pennsylvania. One compressor station in New Jersey would also be built.
A coalition of environmental organizations led by the Sierra Club’s New Jersey chapter said shortly after FERC issued the REAE certificate that it would file a motion for rehearing.
The groups argued that the project would expand fossil fuel infrastructure and increase greenhouse gas emissions. They also claimed FERC’s decision ignored a New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) and Ratepayer Advocate filing with the Commission that found the project is unnecessary for the state’s energy supply.
“A BPU commissioned report shows current gas infrastructure will be able to meet demand through 2030, even during peak usage in cold winter weather,” the Sierra Club said.
