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Chester County Pipeline Projects Update
Quick
Links:
General Pipeline Information
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Dominion Keystone
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Williams-Transco
General Information
January 2010
NEW! The public is
invited to attend the first of a series of meetings on pipelines on
Thursday, January 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. Presentations will be
made by pipeline operators including Williams/Transco (the pipeline that
runs through West Pikeland). The meeting is sponsored by West Vincent,
West Pikeland, East Nantmeal and Green Valleys Association, and is made
possible by a federal grant to promote public participation in official
pipeline proceedings.
Read
the flyer >
August 2009
Dominion
and Williams announce a joint venture to market a new pipeline
connecting the Rockies with the Eastern and Mid-Atlantic Regions. This
project does NOT involve Chester County.
Press Release >
E-mail >
July 2009
PA State
Representative Curt Schroder introduced legislation to protect
communities targeted by natural gas pipelines.
Press Release >
House Bill 1817 >
April 2009
Congressman Jim Gerlach met with FERC Chairman to discuss legislation
aimed at improving public information and input on natural gas pipeline
projects.
Press Release >
Congressman Jim Gerlach and Congressman Joe Sestak will discuss proposed
legislation to give public greater say in the FERC process at a press
conference April 16. The conference
is at the home
of Louis Ottaviano, one of 53 property owners hit with eminent domain
suits filed by pipeline owner Williams-Transco.
Media Advisory >
March 2009
Citizens groups express
concerns about assurances from the Department of Environmental
Protection that pipeline permits would not be granted without
environmental issues taking precedence, prompting a letter from
supportive legislators to the DEP.
Letter >
February 2009
In a Daily Local
opinion column, PA legislators Curt Schroeder, Duane Milne, Andy
Dinniman and
John Rafferty Jr. call on Governor Rendell, the Department of
Environmental Protection, and Chester County Commissioners to intervene
in the pipeline projects to protect the natural resources and interests
of residents in Chester County. The column was also sent to FERC.
Opinion Column >
Intervenor Form >
November 2008
PA State Representative Curt Schroeder sponsored a workshop
on the rights of residents and landowners impacted by the current natural gas pipeline
proposals. Washington attorney Carolyn Elefant, a former attorney at the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, conducted the workshop.
Workshop Video >
Workshop
FAQ >
FERC Citizen Guides >
October 2008
US Senator Arlen Specter hosted a meeting on
"Chester County Pipelines" to discuss FERC and the Transco
Sentinel project. Senator Specter said he plans to establish an office
of consumer advocate with the FERC that would aid residents affected by
pipeline projects.
News
Article >
Dominion Keystone Project
December 2008
A follow-up letter was sent to Dominion regarding a meeting with West
Pikeland, West Vincent, and East Nantmeal Supervisors, acknowledging
Dominion's verbal reply that the the Keystone project has been put on
hold due to several issues. The letter asks that the Townships be
contacted promptly when the status changes so that a meeting may be
scheduled.
Township Letter >
November 2008
Department of Agriculture Secretary Dennis
Wolff issued a letter to Dominion regarding the gas lines planned
for Chester County requesting help ensuring that the project would not
negatively impact Pennsylvania farms and requesting a copy of the final
Environmental Impact Statement.
Dept of Agriculture Letter >
Dominion Keystone Pipeline Plan
shows path of proposed
natural gas pipeline through Chester County and West Pikeland Township.
Dominion Pipeline Plan - Chester County >
Dominion Pipeline Plan - West Pikeland >
West Pikeland Supervisors joined officials from two other townships
in drafting a letter to Dominion about plans to build a new high-pressure natural gas
pipeline through West Pikeland, East Nantmeal and West
Vincent. Dominion's
Keystone Project
is expected to be filed with FERC in August 2009.
Township Letter
>
News Article >
August/September 2008
The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article about residents
contacted by Dominion, a
VA-based energy company,
regarding buying right-of-way through properties for a
natural-gas pipeline. Dominion says it plans to contact affected
landowners September 2008 through March 2009.
News
Article >
Williams-Transco Pipeline Project
August 2009
PA Department of
Environmental Protection issues permit to Williams for the Brandywine
Creek and Ludwig's Run that achieves environmental protections while
allowing Williams to meet November deadline.
Email >
Message from Rep. Curt Schroder >
July 2009
Citizens group
asks PA Department of Environmental Protection to enforce
prohibitions on encroachment or construction activities related to
the Brandywine Creek pipeline crossing.
Letter >
Court denies Williams' request for permission to take possession of six
properties by eminent domain.
Summary >
June 2009
Chester County Commissioners Farrell and Cozzone write PA DEP in support
of concerns expressed by Federal and PA State legislators about adverse
ecological impact on Brandywine Creek.
Letter >
Congressman Jim Gerlach conveys constituents' concern that an increase
in proposed payments by Williams to Chester County may be an attempt to
circumvent existing environmental laws.
Letter >
Senator Arlen specter asks PA Dept of Environmental Protection to
consider residents' concerns regarding Williams' proposed "open cut"
method of crossing Brandywine Creek.
Letter >
April 2009
The PA Department of Environmental Protection has granted Transco the
permits needed to begin work on the controversial Downingtown pipeline
replacement, but DEP is requiring the company to use an environmentally
sensitive way to cross the Brandywine Creek.
Article >
March 2009
Landowners facing property
condemnation proceedings confronted Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission representatives during a meeting of the Chester County
Pipeline Task Force.
Article >
February 2009
FERC denies request for rehearing and stay
of its August 2008 authorization of the Sentinel Expansion Project. The
stay/rehearing had been requested by seven landowners affected by the
7-mile Downingtown replacement section of the Sentinel pipeline.
FERC Filing >
After being petitioned by residents, local watershed groups, two state
senators and two state representatives, Chester County commissioners
Friday asked for intervenor status in the Williams Transco pipeline
expansion project.
News Article >
FERC Filing >
January 2009
Citizens Coalition for
Environmental and Property Protection wrote to Chester County
Commissioners requesting that they take action
against the
Williams-Transco pipeline expansion project to defend property
rights of county residents and protect the county’s natural resources.
Letter >
PA State
Senator Andy Dinniman accused Chester County Commissioners of being
soft on the pipeline companies.
News
Article >
December 2008
State Senator John Rafferty wrote to the Pennsylvania Department
of Environmental Protection urging the DEP to intervene in the
Williams-Transco pipeline project to resolve potential environmental
issues, such as impacts on well water quality, storm water runoff,
and exceptional value and protected waterways.
Rafferty Letter >
Carolyn Elefant, former attorney at the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, advised residents affected by the Williams-Transco
pipeline to form a coalition. Williams has already received FERC
approval to proceed with its upgrade/expansion plans, so options for
making changes to their plans are limited. However, a citizens coalition
may issue a FERC filing to identify instances where Williams has
violated or failed to comply with the FERC order, and may pursue dispute
resolution.
Elefant resume >
August/September 2008
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved
Williams-Transco plans to expand its natural gas pipeline through
Pennsylvania
and New
Jersey, known as the “Sentinel
Expansion Project.”
Transco's
Chester County project, known as the Downingtown Loop, is a seven-mile section through
five townships. Transco plans to increase the size of one of its three
pipelines. |
