The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that it “will lift the nearly year-long permit bar currently in place” for certain pipeline development projects after a consent order and agreement between the agency and pipeline operator.
The DEP action means construction may resume soon on select portions of the Mariner East 2 and related Mariner East 2x pipeline network where work was halted. As of now, approximately 98 percent of construction is complete.
Finishing this project is essential. According to analyses, the Mariner East network represents a one-time economic impact of nearly $9.1 billion in Pennsylvania, with additional benefits upon completion for consumers, businesses, manufacturers and processors all along the 350-mile pipeline.
If you are writing about the DEP action, please find the following statement by Kurt Knaus, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance:
“DEP’s recent regulatory actions demonstrate the strict oversight this project has endured — before shovels ever hit the ground and during the entire construction process. The continued vigilance by regulators ensures this pipeline is meeting the highest environmental standards. Completion of this project is essential. Skilled laborers who have been waiting to get back to work will finally be back on the job, putting their training to use for the safe, responsible development of critical infrastructure. And once the pipeline network is fully finished, our commonwealth will be able to finally realize the full economic benefits of this vital link that will help Pennsylvania maximize the potential of its vast energy resources. This announcement is a positive start to 2020.”
***
For more than four years, the Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance has advocated for the safe, responsible development of critical infrastructure. For more information:
Online: www.paallianceforenergy.com
Twitter: @PAllies4Energy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PAllies4Energy
—
Kurt
Knaus,
Spokesman
Pennsylvania Energy
Infrastructure Alliance
P: 717-571-5687
Harrisburg, Pa.
PEIA is a broad-based coalition of labor, agriculture, manufacturing and other
business interests statewide that support private investment in pipeline and
other energy infrastructure developments.