PENNEAST UPDATE!
JANUARY 29 MEMBER MEETING CANCELLED
Back in January 2018 PennEast was given until January 19, 2020 to finish the proposed project and place it into service. As you know, after solid opposition these two years have expired and no pipeline is in place. This is great news!
On December 30, 2019 PennEast, citing regulatory hurdles that still remain in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, filed a request with the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC) asking for a two-year extension. FERC regularly rubber stamps such requests and an extension for PennEast is expected. Nonetheless, on January 6, Columbia Morningside Legal Services Inc. sent a letter to FERC on behalf of New Jersey Conservation Foundation, The Watershed Institute and the Delaware Riverkeeper Network opposing PennEast’s baseless request for an extension of time. Link to letter: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/common/OpenNat.asp?fileID=15436984 .
Also, see attached article in NJSPOTLIGHT containing comments from Tim Duggan on this subject https://www.njspotlight.com/2020/01/penneast-way-behind-schedule-asks-for-two-more-years-to-build-pipeline/?fbclid=IwAR2PrMyC7TzghHwEDL8onlJrqLBCvdJdkAyKbLTUv-OBcfMXMeLxNuJ-lFE
As you know, PennEast has requested that the U.S. Supreme Court review the decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit stating that PennEast could not take the State of New Jersey into court to take possession of state land for private development. It remains unclear as to whether the Supreme Court will choose to hear this case. At the same time, PennEast cannot resubmit its failed applications to the NJDEP until the U.S. Supreme Court ruling is complete. The DRBC is reviewing PennEast’s application but has not schedule required public hearings.
Since there is little else to report, HALT is cancelling the January 29 meeting at the Prallsville Mills. As of now, we will retain the February 26 scheduled meeting.
In the meantime, HALT will remain attentive and vigilant in its opposition. We ask homeowners and citizens to do the same. Our intention over the ensuing months is to pay attention to developments in the courts including decisions on related cases. Our neighbors in Pennsylvania will keep their focus on preventing PennEast from cutting trees and inflicting other damage before any construction begins.
We will continue to keep you abreast of any events as they unfold. May 2020 bring us more good news!
HALT PennEast 