SUNBURY – Big news in The Valley, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has approved construction of the $160 million Sunbury Pipeline. The approval means hundreds of jobs along the pipeline, and over a thousand jobs at the gas fired power plant in Shamokin Dam, all have a green light.
FERC issued their order late Friday after taking what local business leaders was a precariously long amount of time. Construction at the power plant, and pipeline construction crews were standing by, awaiting for the go ahead. A comparable pipeline was rejected by FERC Last week.
Now construction begins soon on the pipeline according to UGI Sunbury, and power plant building continues in full swing.
Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Garrett has been touting The Valley’s economic good fortune because of the construction of the ‘big three’ projects. The CSVT, Sunbury Pipeline and Panda Hummel Power Plant will result in thousands of temporary jobs, and hundreds of full time jobs.
The pipeline is not without its detractors. A handful of Valley residents questioned the need for the pipeline, and cited safety and eminent domain concerns.
The 20-inch pipeline will connect the power plant to other major natural gas lines in Lycoming County. It will travel under the Susquehanna River and through parts of Union, Montour and Snyder Counties.
The pipeline will be about 34 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline in Snyder, Union, Northumberland, Montour and Lycoming Counties. The main receiving station will be called Hummel Station and commercial operations will begin in the second half of 2017. Approval for the project was finally granted this week. (Ali Stevens)