The Schuylkill River Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Project will construct and maintain a 20-inch diameter natural gas pipeline across the Schuylkill River via HDD. The project will also remove the existing 20-inch natural gas pipeline across the river. The proposed project is located within the Schuylkill River, downstream of the Spring City Boat Launch in Spring City Borough, Chester County & Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County.
Below is information on DEP's review and approval of the permit applications and other useful project information. The material is presented here to enable the public to readily review the application material, any noted technical deficiencies and the company's responses to the technical deficiencies. Additional materials will be added to the site as the Department continues with its review of the permit applications. Persons wishing to review the entire file for this application should contact the Department's Regional Permit Coordination Office File Review Coordinator at 717-772-5987 to schedule a file review.
For those unfamiliar with DEP’s regulatory jurisdiction, DEP has the authority to review and make decisions on permit applications pursuant to environmental regulations such as:
Chapter 102,
Erosion and Sediment Control which regulates erosion and sedimentation resulting from earth disturbance activities and the stability of projects. A pipeline project that exceeds five acres of total earth disturbance must obtain an Erosion Control Permit with plans and practices to control stormwater runoff both during and following earthmoving activities;
Chapter 105,
Dam Safety and Waterway Management which regulates water obstructions and encroachments focused on activities located in, along, or across wetlands, lakes, streams and floodways;
For some pipeline projects, DEP also processes a
State Water Quality Certification. Pursuant to Section 401 of the Federal Clean Water Act, DEP will ensure that activities associated with proposed interstate natural gas transmission pipeline projects regulated by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) comply with state water quality standards. This certification is often authorized conditionally and serves as an index for all DEP water-related permits/approvals that may be required for a pipeline project to demonstrate compliance with state water quality standards.
The reviews of these permit applications are often coordinated with other DEP Programs including, but not limited to, Clean Water (NPDES Permitting for Discharges from Hydrostatic Testing), Air Quality (Air Quality Permitting),
Solid Waste Management,
Oil and Gas Management, and
Bureau of Mining Programs. DEP may also coordinate the review of these permits with other resource agencies such as
County Conservation Districts, the
PA Fish and Boat Commission, the
PA Game Commission, the
PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the
PA Department of Agriculture, the
PA Historic and Museum Commission, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the
River Basin Commissions. Please note that this is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and the type of activity associated with the project will dictate the agencies that will be involved.
DEP’s permitting authority does not cover the determination of the overall pipeline route or property rights. Other agencies also have jurisdiction over pipelines, such as the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the
Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).
Schuylkill River Horizontal Directional Drilling Project Overview Information Sheet
This
information sheet (PDF) provides a summary of the project.
Public Participation Information
Chapter 102 Permit Application
Chapter 102 permit information may be found online through the
eFACTS on the Web page. The “Public Permit Review”
eFACTS on the Web.
Instructions on how to access the ePermitting page from the eFACTS website.
On March 14, 2024, DEP issued the Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control Permit (ESCGP-3).
On March 1, 2024, DEP received response to the Chapter 102 technical deficiency letters sent on February 28, 2024.
On February 28, 2024 the second ESCGP- 3 Technical deficiency letter was sent to Texas Eastern Transmission, LP.
On January 11, 2024, DEP received responses to the Chapter 102 technical deficiency letter sent on December 13, 2023.
On December 13, 2023, DEP sent a technical deficiency letter for the Chapter 102, Erosion and Sediment Control General Permit (ESCGP-3).
On August 15, 2023, DEP considered the Chapter 102 permit application complete and commenced its technical review. The completeness review letter was sent to the Applicant.
On June 27, 2023, DEP received the Chapter 102, ESCGP Permit (ESG831523001-00) application – Chester County (Primary) County & Montgomery County.
Chapter 105 Permit Application
On March 13, 2024, DEP issued the Chapter 105, Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit.
On March 1, 2024, DEP received responses to the Chapter 102 and Chapter 105 technical deficiency letters sent on February 28, 2024.
On February 28, 2024 the second JPA Technical deficiency letter was sent to Texas Eastern Transmission, LP.
On February 1, 2025, DEP received the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission clearance letter regarding the consultation on the Northern Red-bellied Cooter.
On January 25, 2024, DEP received the Project’s updated Aid to Navigation (ATON) Plans and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's approval letter via email.
On January 12, 2024, DEP received responses to the Chapter 105 technical deficiency letter sent on December 12, 2023.
On December 12, 2023, DEP sent a technical deficiency letter for the Chapter 105, Water Obstruction and Encroachment permit.
On August 30, 2023, DEP considered the Chapter 105 permit applications complete and commenced its technical review. The following completeness review letter was sent to the Applicant. This application was published as complete in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on October 16, 2023.
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Chapter 105 JPA Completeness Letter - Chester County (Primary) County & Montgomery County (PDF)
On June 27, 2023, DEP received the following Chapter 105 permit applications.
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Chapter 105 JPA Submission – Chester County (Primary) County & Montgomery County (PDF)