Williams’ Atlantic Sunrise Interstate Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Pipeline Project
The Atlantic Sunrise project is a major interstate pipeline project undertaken by Williams to transport Pennsylvania’s Marcellus Shale gas throughout the eastern seaboard markets. The Atlantic Sunrise project will add significantly more capacity to Williams’ existing Transco Pipeline system and Williams estimates that the project will supply enough natural gas to meet the daily needs of over 7 million homes. The Atlantic Sunrise expansion project will add 1.7 million dekatherms per day of pipeline capacity to the existing Transco Pipeline system that runs from the Texas Gulf to New York City and already consists of over 10,000 miles of pipelines.
The Atlantic Sunrise project will have a significant impact on many Pennsylvania landowners. The project proposes approximately 180 miles of new Pennsylvania pipelines referred to as the Central Penn Line. The project also proposes new compressor stations in Susquehanna and Columbia Counties. Overall the Atlantic Sunrise pipelines are scheduled to cross the following 10 Pennsylvania counties: Susquehanna, Wyoming, Lycoming, Luzerne, Lebanon, Lancaster Northumberland, Schuykill, Clinton, Columbia.
On March 31, 2015, Williams filed their Application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. FERC is the federal agency that regulates interstate pipelines. If FERC ultimately grants the requested Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, through the Natural Gas Act Williams will obtain the power of eminent domain and can go to court and condemn property if they do not reach a Pipeline Agreement with the landowner. Williams’s goal is to have the Atlantic Sunrise project approved by FERC in the early part of 2016 and to have the pipelines constructed and in service by July 1, 2017.
Any landowner who is notified that they will or may be impacted by the Atlantic Sunrise Project should contact a knowledgeable and experienced attorney to learn their rights and options as soon as possible. Interstate pipeline projects regulated by FERC involve unique considerations and concerns for the landowner. FERC pipeline projects are very different from the much more common gas gathering pipeline projects across Pennsylvania. Landowners must understand their options and develop a comprehensive strategy when faced with a proposed FERC regulated interstate pipeline.
Attorney Doug Clark represents landowners in FERC pipeline projects and understands how to make the best out of this generally unwanted situation. Doug will explain the FERC process and your rights and options when dealing with the pipeline company. Do not wait until you are facing condemnation and your options are limited. Learn your rights and options today. Attorney Doug Clark is Pennsylvania’s landowner lawyer with experience in representing landowners and negotiating Pipeline Agreements for FERC pipeline projects. Let Doug’s FERC pipeline experience work for you. Contact The Clark Law Firm, PC today.
