“Your wait time is 12-18 months, please hold.” That’s what the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is telling midstream companies anxious to build new pipelines in the Marcellus/Utica. Five major pipeline systems representing $15 billion of investment are currently on hold while FERC runs through it’s sloooooow process of approval. FERC’s response/excuse is that it takes 12-18 months, period. Like it or lump it. The five pipelines now on hold in the southwest PA/eastern OH/WV area include: Atlantic Coast Pipeline, Rover Pipeline, Nexus Pipeline, Leach Express Pipeline and the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Rover filed its application with FERC last February, so they’re not even a full year into the process yet. The others filed later. Although industry groups are trying to pressure FERC (via publicity) FERC isn’t moved by calls to speed up the process…
