By Jason Cockerham

(P&GJ) — The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released a favorable environmental statement for a revised construction proposal for Enbridge’s PennEast Pipeline. 

Once completed, the final 118-mile natural gas pipeline project will transport up to 1.1 Bcf/d of gas from the Marcellus Shale play to markets in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

The project has faced regulatory challenges in New Jersey where a state appeals court blocked the company’s attempt to condemn land for the pipeline in which the state held an interest.

PennEast has since appealed that decision to the U.S. Supreme Court but the has court put off hearing the decision and sought the view of the U.S. solicitor general.

In an effort to bypass these hurdles, earlier this year Enbridge sought FERC approval to construct the project in two phases.

Phase 1 consists of 68 miles of 36-inch pipe constructed entirely within Pennsylvania and should be operational by November 2021.

Phase 2 would include the rest of the route through Pennsylvania and into New Jersey with an expected completion of 2023.

The FERC issued its favorable review of the proposed changes on Aug. 3.

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𝐒𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐋𝐄: https://pgjonline.com/news/2020/08-august/penneast-pipeline-receives-favorable-environmental-review-from-regulators