With the series of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) hearings on Atlantic Sunrise this week, looking back at the hearings focused on Mariner East in August helps illuminate what to expect and why these hearings matter.
In August, members of the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance (PEIA) provided public comments in support of the Mariner East 2 pipeline before the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to promote the need for the safe, responsible development of critical infrastructure that will help Pennsylvania realize the full economic potential of domestic natural gas liquids (NGLs) and natural gas production.
PEIA members provided comments both in person or written form to the DEP, which convened five hearings, all along the path of Mariner East 2 project. The Westmoreland County hearing was the final in that series.
The Atlantic Sunrise project would run through central and north east Pennsylvania, connecting NGL-producing regions to the southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. According to DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection wants “to provide the public, especially those living near the pipeline route, with the opportunity to review permit applications and provide thoughtful, critical and constructive feedback to aid in our technical review.”
These DEP hearings are important forums to voice support for infrastructural development efforts aimed at catalyzing energy connectivity and economic return to Pennsylvania.
The hearings this week are:
June 12: Tunkhannock Middle School Auditorium, 6-9 PM
June 12: Max Smith Auditorium, Lancaster Farm and Home Center, 6-9 PM
June 13: Bloomsburg High School Auditorium, Bloomsburg High School, 6-9 PM
June 14: Lutz Hall, Lebanon Valley College, 6-9 PM