Kurt Knaus

Spokesman

Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance

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Pennsylvania DEP just cleared the path for Mariner East to complete the Mariner East 2 project which was already 98% done. It’s a big economic step forward.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) today announced that it “will lift the nearly year-long permit bar currently in place” for certain pipeline development projects after a consent order and agreement between the agency and pipeline operator. This Pennsylvania DEP action is very welcome news for Mariner East!

The Pennsylvania DEP action means construction may resume soon on select portions of the Mariner East 2 and related Mariner East 2x pipeline network where work was halted. As of now, approximately 98 percent of construction is complete.

Finishing this project is essential. According to analyses, the Mariner East network represents a one-time economic impact of nearly $9.1 billion in Pennsylvania, with additional benefits upon completion for consumers, businesses, manufacturers and processors all along the 350-mile pipeline.

DEP’s recent regulatory actions demonstrate the strict oversight this project has endured — before shovels ever hit the ground and during the entire construction process. The continued vigilance by regulators ensures this pipeline is meeting the highest environmental standards. Completion of this project is essential.

Skilled laborers who have been waiting to get back to work will finally be back on the job, putting their training to use for the safe, responsible development of critical infrastructure. And once the pipeline network is fully finished, our commonwealth will be able to finally realize the full economic benefits of this vital link that will help Pennsylvania maximize the potential of its vast energy resources.

This announcement offers a very positive start to 2020.

Editor’s Note: Pennsylvania DEP has done the right thing. The completion of Mariner East 2 will now allow further economic development that will only benefit Southeast Pennsylvania; a region that has huge opportunities to be the next Houston, as we’ve noted earlier.