An important step for Pennsylvania’s energy infrastructure was taken last Friday when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved construction of the Pennsylvania to New Jersey PennEast Pipeline. The project has been in the works for more than four years now, and has moved even closer to beginning construction with FERC’s approval.
After months of applications, examinations, and public hearings, FERC stated that the PennEast project will provide tremendous economic benefits to shippers of natural gas by providing an additional avenue to transport the natural resource, and will not harm existing customers or other pipelines. Additionally, during construction of the PennEast it will have a $1.62 billion economic impact on the State and local communities, while supporting 12,000 jobs.
“Today’s approval of the PennEast Pipeline is a major victory for New Jersey and Pennsylvania families and businesses,” said Dat Tran, Chair of the PennEast Pipeline Company LLC Board of Managers. “They will reap the benefits of accessing one of the most affordable and abundant supplies of natural gas in all of North America. PennEast will lower gas and electricity costs, increase reliability, improve air quality, and make the region more competitive for jobs in the coming decades.”