Two More Gathering Pipelines Seek PA Public Utility Status
Even though Laser Northeast Gathering has withdrawn its application to become a public utility with the power of eminent domain as MDN reported yesterday, two other pipeline companies with applications before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission continue to move forward. Peregrine Keystone Gas Pipeline plans to construct a gathering line in Greene, Fayette and Washington counties in western PA, and Pentex Pipeline plans a gathering pipeline in Bradford County in northeast PA.
Peregrine has been fighting off a request by opponents to table its utility application until a decision is reached in the Laser case.
Peregrine’s vice president of operations Loren Fuller said Monday the company is still fully committed to its case.
“It’s our intent to go forward,” he said, just learning the news about Laser.
Peregrine hasn’t begun construction yet for several reasons, Fuller said: coordinating the timing of wells coming online, finalizing the financing, and the pending PUC application.
Fuller said he expects to break ground during the fourth quarter this year or early next year.
And finally, Pentex Pipeline Co., the latest gathering firm to seek utility status, was scheduled to have public input hearings Tuesday to hash out plans for a pipeline in Bradford County. But, due to weather, the hearings were postponed until next month.*
*Pittsburgh Business Times (Sep 13, 2011) – Marcellus firm Laser doesn’t want to be a utility anymore, but Peregrine does