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Return to sender: NJ kicks back pipeline's incomplete application

DEP sent back the $1 billion pipeline's application for water permits, citing a number of deficiencies, including the lack of access to property of uncooperative landowners.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection on Wednesday sent back PennEast Pipeline Co.'s application for water permits, citing a number of deficiencies, including the company's lack of access to much of the private land along the route of the $1 billion Marcellus Shale gas pipeline.

PennEast is unable to obtain easements from uncooperative landowners along the pipeline's 120-mile route from Pennsylvania to New Jersey until it obtains approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Environmental groups on Wednesday hailed the state's action as a victory, but PennEast spokeswoman Patricia Kornick said only a "few outstanding items" needed to be resolved. PennEast said it filed its application with New Jersey on April 6 as a "routine step" to ensure that the project was consistent with the schedule set by FERC for all agencies to complete their environmental reviews.

The 36-inch-diameter pipeline would deliver 1 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day, mostly to New Jersey utilities.