Pennsylvania DEP Extends Comment Period for permits related to Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline

HARRISBURG, Pa., June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has extended the comment period on water obstruction and encroachment permits related to the proposed Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline. The comment period will be extended for 60 days and will close on August 1, 2016.

"A project of this size requires thoughtful public input," said DEP Acting Secretary Patrick McDonnell. "Based upon public interest in this project, DEP decided that a 30-day comment period on the water obstruction and encroachment permits for the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline was insufficient, and in the interest of transparency and public participation, we have extended the comment period."

The proposed project will involve approximately 195 miles of pipeline and would cross ten counties in eastern and central PA – Clinton, Columbia, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Lycoming, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, and Wyoming – before crossing into Maryland. Permits required from DEP are for water obstruction and encroachments, erosion and sedimentation control and air quality. Interstate pipelines, such as the Atlantic Sunrise, are overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and need to meet applicable state law and permitting requirements.

The water obstruction and encroachment permits can be viewed in the April 30, 2016 PA Bulletin beginning on page 6: http://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol46/46-18/46-18.pdf. A full draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Atlantic Sunrise project can be found on the FERC website.

To submit comments on the DEP permits during this extended comment period, please submit to the DEP regional office associated with the permit.

For comments on the permits for Luzerne, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties, please submit comments to: EP, [email protected] or

PA Department of Environmental Protection Northeast Regional OfficeWaterways and Wetlands Program2 Public SquareWilkes-Barre, PA 18701

For comments on the permits for Columbia and Northumberland Counties, please submit comments to: EP, [email protected]  or

PA Department of Environmental Protection Northcentral Regional OfficeWaterways and Wetlands Program208 West Third StreetWilliamsport, PA 17701

For comments on the permits for Lancaster and Lebanon Counties, please submit comments to EP, [email protected] or

PA Department of Environmental Protection South-central Regional OfficeWaterways and Wetlands Program909 Elmerton AvenueHarrisburg, PA 17110

Comments will be accepted for the public record until August 1, 2016.

Media Contact: Neil Shader, 717-787-1323

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pennsylvania-dep-extends-comment-period-for-permits-related-to-atlantic-sunrise-pipeline-300278166.html

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection