Williams Receives Final Key Permits for Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline Project

From Williams

Thanks to the continued and dedicated efforts of several key partners, including those of the Columbia Montour Chamber, after a multiyear regulatory process, Williams has received key permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the Atlantic Sunrise project.

This critical energy infrastructure project — an expansion of the existing Transco natural gas pipeline — will connect abundant Marcellus gas to consumers in the U.S. and is estimated to support 8,000 jobs and inject a $1.6 billion economic impact in the project area during construction, including a projected economic impact of $85.5 million in Columbia County and surrounding areas alone. Williams is also encouraging workers that come into the local area from outside of it to work on the project to buy local through a local app being developed that will feature local businesses, which can be featured on the app at no charge just by registering. 

Williams received the Chapter 105 (Water Obstruction and Encroachment) and Chapter 102 (Erosion and Sediment Control) permits from DEP on Aug. 30 and the Clean Water Act Section 404 permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Aug. 29. 

The company will immediately commence the process of requesting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Notice to Proceed for all remaining construction of Atlantic Sunrise, with a target of beginning greenfield pipeline construction in Pennsylvania this fall.

Williams committed to moving forward with construction in strict adherence with our permits in a manner that protects safety and minimizes impacts to communities and the environment. 

In addition to these key federal and state permits, Williams also received FERC approval to place a portion of the project into service early. Accordingly, it expects to begin partial service today, Sept. 1, providing 400,000 dth/day of firm transportation service on Transco’s mainline facilities to various delivery points. The partial service milestone is the result of recently completed modifications to existing Transco facilities in Virginia and Maryland.

Williams is pleased to have reached these important milestones to move forward with Atlantic Sunrise. This vital project will leverage existing infrastructure to deliver economic growth and expand access to affordable Pennsylvania-produced clean-burning natural gas, to support thousands of manufacturing jobs, and improve the quality of life for all residents of the Commonwealth.

Everyone on the Atlantic Sunrise team and at Williams thanks all those that have provided ongoing support, including reaching out to Gov. Wolf, and for those individuals’ tireless efforts to support the growth of American energy, American jobs and a brighter economic future for Pennsylvania.