The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved PennEast Pipeline Company’s request to start the pre-filing review process.
The pre-filing process includes a formal structure for interested parties along the proposed route to provide input with respect to the 108-mile, 36-inch natural gas pipeline.
The pipeline, which is expected to cost about $1bn, will transport 1 bcf of natural gas per day, enough to serve around 4.7 million homes.
The pipeline will run from Luzerne County in northeastern Pennsylvania to Transco’s Trenton-Woodbury interconnection in New Jersey.
PennEast intends to complete pre-filing and submit a formal application in third quarter 2015 while the pipeline is expected to start services in 2017.
PennEast board of managers chairman Peter Terranova said: "Interstate natural gas pipelines are subject to stringent review and FERC oversight.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData"PennEast requested to use the pre-filing process because it provides an ideal framework for obtaining early input from potentially affected landowners and other stakeholders. Their input helps identify areas of concern that we can try to address from the start through the design of the project."
AGL Resources, NJR Pipeline Company, PSEG Power, South Jersey Industries and UGI Energy Services (UGIES) are the partners in the project.
UGIES is the project manager for the development and will operate the pipeline.
The project is expected to create 2,000 local jobs during construction, which is expected to take about seven months to complete.
