The PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC announced its Binding Open Season in August 11, 2014 as the first step in construction of a pipeline. The proposed pipeline would extend from Luzerne County, PA to Mercer County, NJ. The Binding Open Season concluded on August 29, 2014.
PennEast Pre-Filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on October 7, 2014 and was assigned Docket# 15-1.
Included in the Pre-file documents is a list of interested parties, stakeholders, State, Federal and Local Officials which, presumably, PennEast has or will be contacting. According to the dates on Exhibit D, PennEast began contacting interested parties, stakeholders, State, Federal and Local Officials as early as June 11, 2014.
For many people and municipalities this meant educating themselves about the FERC process and the PennEast pipeline project. The PennEast Pre-file document is a major reference resource as it gives a comprehensive overview of what the project would entail. Consequently, it is of great interest to all who would be impacted.
Response to the PennEast Pipeline has not been favorable. Grassroots groups quickly organized, and urged their local government to oppose the pipeline. At least 16 municipalities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey have passed resolutions opposing the PennEast pipeline, with more municipalities considering the same.
Delaware Township, NJ filed their opposition resolution with FERC on November 13, 2014. FERC published it on November 20, 2014. What is especially interesting is not what is contained in the resolution, but rather what was in the Delaware Township cover letter.
As previously mentioned the PennEast Pre-File Exhibit D lists contacted interested parties, stakeholders, State, Federal and Local Officials. Contact may have been with meetings or via e-mail, and for the most part gives a list of dates when this occurred.
According to Exhibit D, PennEast listed Susan D. Lockwood as being present at a Public Meeting held on September 29, 2014. PennEast also lists an introductory meeting with George Hrehowesik, Chair of the Delaware Township Environmental Commission as taking place, although no date was given.
According to the Delaware Township cover letter Susan Lockwood was not present at the Public Meeting on September 29, 2014, and George Hrehowesik passed away in June 2014, prior to that he was hospitalized.
This inconsistency raises a few questions. If Ms. Lockwood was not at the meeting, how did PennEast contact her? Telepathy? As Mr. Hrehowesik was hospitalized and passed away in June 2014, did PennEast enlisted the aid of a medium and conducted a Séance?
Aside from concerns that PennEast may be dabbling in the paranormal, the listing of Ms. Lockwood and Mr. Hrehowesik does make one wonder how many of those listed by PennEast were in fact contacted or present at meetings.
©2014 by Dory Hippauf
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