Today the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) lifted a permit ban for water crossing permits along sections of the Mariner East pipeline. One of the longest bans issued by the Pennsylvania DEP select portions halted since February 2019 of the Mariner East pipeline system can now resume construction.
As Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance spokesman Kurt Knaus noted in his statement on the permit bar resolution, the Mariner East 2 and 2X pipeline systems are free to be completed following review by the Pennsylvania DEP. Mariner East 2 and 2X are approximately 98 percent complete as they stand today.
Most importantly, today’s announcement demonstrates the continued oversight and coordination between regulators and industry members to see projects safely to completion. Throughout planning and construction of critical energy infrastructure projects – of which are numerous in Pennsylvania – regulators work diligently to enforce safety and the upmost environmental stewardship.
After a long delay the many skilled laborers in the Commonwealth are able to get back on the job and see to it that projects are completed to regulator and safety standards. A strong energy infrastructure industry is built on the back of responsible development and construction by the state’s unions.
The resumption of energy infrastructure buildout in the state is a welcome start to the New Year. Pennsylvania is another step closer to realizing the benefits of its natural resources.