Energy company Texas Eastern, a subsidiary of Enbridge, is currently seeking regulatory approval for an enhancement to an existing pipeline that runs through Lebanon County.
Texas Eastern plans to install approximately two miles of new 36-inch diameter looping pipeline, as well as removing an existing receiver and valve site and building a new receiver and valve site at the end of the two miles of pipeline.
A Texas Eastern spokesperson said that the proposed facilities are located generally within or adjacent to the company’s existing right-of-way. Some new right of way is also expected to be obtained for this project, approximately six acres of new easements for the pipeline and three acres for the new receiver site.
The majority of land (95%) crossed by the pipeline is agricultural or industrial. Where the pipeline already crosses residential areas mitigation strategies will be in place to minimize impact of the new pipeline.
The work is a part of an overall $368 million effort to increase natural gas transportation capacity along the company’s Appalachia to Market pipeline. The estimated cost of the two miles of additional pipeline is approximately $36 million, with $2.1 million estimated for right of way acquisition. The company said that the enhancements will provide up to 55,000 dekatherms per day of additional natural gas transporting capacity Appalachian supply basin in Southwest Pennsylvania to delivery points in New Jersey
“We seek to build positive relationships in the communities along our infrastructure network through meaningful engagement, and we’re communicating with our neighbors to keep them informed and help answer any questions,” said spokesperson Max Bergeron.
Texas Eastern employs 256 Pennsylvania-based employees and contractors. Bergeron said that the project will bring additional construction jobs and increase economic activity to the area. The pipeline last received major updates about a decade ago. Today’s pipeline has its roots in the WWII era “Big Inch” oil pipeline which was converted to transport natural gas after Texas East Transmission Corporation purchased it in 1947.
The company anticipates construction to begin in January 2024 and for the new facilities to be put into service by November 2025. The full application filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can be viewed here.
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