Home » FERC PennEast Pipeline NJ Scoping Meeting A No-Go

FERC PennEast Pipeline NJ Scoping Meeting A No-Go

by Mary Galioto

It was announced Friday late afternoon that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) would be postponing, due to “unforeseen circumstances,” the sole New Jersey PennEast pipeline scoping meeting scheduled to be held January 27th at The College of New Jersey.

The announcement was posted on the FERC website and delivered via email to those who have registered for an “e-subscription” to the PennEast docket.

“This is very poor communication with the communities they are supposed to be encouraging to attend their sessions,” said Patty Cronheim, coordinator of Hopewell Township Citizens Against PennEast Pipeline (HTCAPP).

FERC postponement letter dated 1/23/15

FERC postponement letter dated 1/23/15

There are no further details regarding when the public can expect the New Jersey scoping meeting to be rescheduled.

Nor has FERC announced whether any of the other four meetings have been postponed. The next scheduled meeting is on January 28th in Newtown, Bucks County.

“We’re pleased that FERC seems to be responding, first with the two-week extension and now with the postponement,” said Karen Feridun, Founder, Berks Gas Truth, “but we’re very concerned that the Commission is once again failing to communicate this announcement in a way that will reach the people planning to attend and comment.”

Earlier in the week, 18 organizations and community groups submitted a letter to FERC outlining concerns regarding the method and timing that the meetings had been planned and announced. The letter urged FERC to extend the scoping period to 120 days so that the public would be able to meaningfully prepare and participate in the scoping process. That same day the letter was submitted, local opposition groups hosted a phone and social media campaign to further express these concerns.

Opposition letter from environmental and community opposition groups to FERC opposing the timing of scoping meetings
Opposition letter from environmental and community opposition groups to FERC opposing the timing of scoping meetings
Opposition letter from environmental and community opposition groups to FERC opposing the timing of scoping meetings

As always, stay tuned to MercerMe for updates. Here are a few of our latest pipeline articles to heat you up on this snowy day.

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