As of April, 2017, there are at least five proposed pipelines which will carry petroleum products across parts of Pennsylvania. Many activist groups are resisting these pipelines with varying results. To see a map of pipelines already built in your area click here.
Atlantic Sunrise
Company: Williams Partners
Regions affected: 10 counties including Lancaster and Lebanon.
Purpose: Connects the Marcellus Shale producing areas in North Eastern, PA to Mid-Atlantic and South Eastern States.
Length: 183 miles
Status: Final approval was given early 2017. Construction to begin mid-2017.
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February 3, 2017 – US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) – Order Issuing Certificate (95 page PDF)
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March, 2017 – NPR Overview of Impacts
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March 23, 2017 – PennLive, Judge gives boost to Atlantic Sunrise pipeline, grants access to Schuylkill property
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The Lancaster Stand is a group that is actively protesting the pipeline
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March 28, 2017 – Lancaster Online reports that opponents are temporarily standing down
Constitution Pipeline
Company: Williams, Cabot, Piedmont and WGL Holdings
Regions affected: Susquehanna to parts of NY State
Purpose: Carry gas from PA’s Marcellus Shale to parts of NY State
Length: 124 miles
Status: Appears to have been stopped in 2016, by NY state. On March 20th, 2017 a Federal Court dismissed the companies’ permit challenge.
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January 2, 2017 – NPR Overview of Impacts
Mariner East 1 and 2
Company: Sunoco
Regions affected: 14 counties including Chester County
Purpose: Carry Marcellus Shale byproducts such as ethane, butane and propane across the state to the company’s Marcus Hook refinery in Delaware County.
Length: 300-340 miles
Status: West Goshen Township’s complaint has been referred to an administrative judge.
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February 17, 2017 – Daily Local coverage of West Goshen Township’s complaint against the pipeline
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March 15, 2017 – NPR report, Sunoco rejects township’s complaint. Public Utility Commission has referred the dispute to an administrative judge.
Mountaineer Xpress
Company: Columbia
Regions affected: SW PA
Purpose: Carry methane gas obtained from fracking in West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio to a pipeline interconnection site near a Catlettsburg refinery.
Length: 165 miles
Status: Going to through FERC approval. There is public opposition.
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March 12, 2017 – Herald Dispatch editorial by members of Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition
PennEast Pipeline
Company: PennEast Pipeline
Regions affected: SE PA and New Jersey
Purpose: Transport eastern Marcellus Shale gas to markets in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
Length: 114 miles
Status: Appears to still be in approval stage. There are political interests raising concerns.
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March 22, 2017 – Shale Daily news update, New Jersey Senators ask FERC to investigate concerns about arsenic contamination
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March 23, 2017 – PowerSource / AP report, Senators Booker and Menendez want evaluation of concerns over arsenic and endangered species