For years we have been told that the PennEast pipeline was necessary to bring fracking gas to the East Coast. It was vital to New Jersey and New York. When PennEast was stymied by New Jersey environmental regulations, popular opposition, and a less-than-enthusiastic Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the company changed its mind. It now says the gas is needed in eastern Pennsylvania, and it will build a “phased” pipeline, starting only in Pennsylvania.
Since the pipeline is no longer interstate, it no longer needs federal approval. The Pennsylvania legislature, where many of the members receive large contributions from the gas and fracking industries, has always been less protective of Pennsylvania’s environment and public safety and will go along with Penn East.
A few groups, of course, are delighted with the new strategy of Pennsylvania only. The stockholders in PennEast, the Blue Mountain Ski Resort which will be allowed to connect to the pipeline, and UGI, which is allowed to raise its rates to pay for the pipeline, are very happy.
Nonetheless, those of us who are fighting this unnecessary pipeline should celebrate a victory. New Jersey has been saved. New Jersey’s wetlands and preserved farmland have been saved. We won a huge battle, and the war is not over.
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