TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey regulators have closed an application for a more than $1 billion natural gas pipeline starting in Pennsylvania and ending in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection said Wednesday in a letter to PennEast that its request for a 60-day extension on a freshwater permit application was denied and the application was “administratively closed.”
The letter says PennEast showed a “lack of demonstrated progress” on part of its application, specifically obtaining landowners’ signatures for surveys.
The project is not dead, however.
PennEast spokeswoman Pat Kornick says the decision wasn’t a surprise. The company anticipates pending federal approval this summer.
Environmental groups opposed to the 120-mile (193-kilometer) pipeline and called the development a “setback.”
They say the pipeline threatens waterways.
PennEast says the project would create jobs.