PECO files with the Pensylvania PUC to overrule the Marple Zoning Code
On February 26, 2021, PECO filed papers with the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PUC), requesting a "Certificate of Convenience & Public Necesity", which, if granted, would allow PECO to steamroller the Marple Zoning Hearing Board's decision to DENY permission for PECO to build the Gas Expansion Plant at the corner of Sproul and Cedar Grove Roads.
The link below is an electronic copy of the papers that PECO submitted to the PUC.
https://www.puc.pa.gov/pcdocs/1694879.pdf
The document is, generally, surprisingly easy to read; the main body has only 13 pages, double-spaced. Also, it is surprisingly full of inaccuracies. For example, throughout the document, they use terms like "Gas Reliability Project", when they mean "High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline", "Natural Gas City Gate Station", or "Gas Expansion Plant".
Also, one of the foundation arguments for this project is the projected need for additional gas supplies in the future. However, there is NO evidence presented to support this increase in demand. In fact, historically, residential gas consumption has been decreasing in Pennsylvania, even as the population continues to grow. In addition, a host of economic, technological, political and environmental factors, such as climate change, new sustainable energy solutions, and increased exports of LNG to Europe and China, combine to suggest that the growth in demand that is at the main excuse for this Gas Expansion Project is more than likely NOT going to happen.
Finally, the document often suggests a "good neighbor" approach in phrases like, “...PECO is continuing to engage with local government officials…”, and “...PECO’s ongoing community outreach efforts…”, whereas, in truth, engagement with local officials has been limited to their request for a Special Exception to the Marple Zoning Code (which was rejected), and suing the Marple Zoning Hearing Board for the rejection. Community outreach has been limited to the legal minimum, and has generally consisted of pabulum delivered by public relations sub-contractors.
Download it and look it over. Perhaps it will encourage you to call or write to your elected officials, municipal, county and state.
The link below is an electronic copy of the papers that PECO submitted to the PUC.
https://www.puc.pa.gov/pcdocs/1694879.pdf
The document is, generally, surprisingly easy to read; the main body has only 13 pages, double-spaced. Also, it is surprisingly full of inaccuracies. For example, throughout the document, they use terms like "Gas Reliability Project", when they mean "High Pressure Natural Gas Pipeline", "Natural Gas City Gate Station", or "Gas Expansion Plant".
Also, one of the foundation arguments for this project is the projected need for additional gas supplies in the future. However, there is NO evidence presented to support this increase in demand. In fact, historically, residential gas consumption has been decreasing in Pennsylvania, even as the population continues to grow. In addition, a host of economic, technological, political and environmental factors, such as climate change, new sustainable energy solutions, and increased exports of LNG to Europe and China, combine to suggest that the growth in demand that is at the main excuse for this Gas Expansion Project is more than likely NOT going to happen.
Finally, the document often suggests a "good neighbor" approach in phrases like, “...PECO is continuing to engage with local government officials…”, and “...PECO’s ongoing community outreach efforts…”, whereas, in truth, engagement with local officials has been limited to their request for a Special Exception to the Marple Zoning Code (which was rejected), and suing the Marple Zoning Hearing Board for the rejection. Community outreach has been limited to the legal minimum, and has generally consisted of pabulum delivered by public relations sub-contractors.
Download it and look it over. Perhaps it will encourage you to call or write to your elected officials, municipal, county and state.