Protecting the Air We All Share

February 2022:

We are a group of concerned citizens and neighbors who are challenging the construction of a natural-gas compressor station that is being built near Quakertown, Pennsylvania. The compressor station is being built to support the Adelphia Gateway project, which is an 84.2-mile pipeline starting in Martins Creek, Northampton County, terminating in Marcus Hook, Delaware County. Adelphia Gateway, LLC is a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources.

“Quakertown” Compressor Station Location: 

This compressor Station is being built on Rich Hill Road on the border of West Rockhill and Richland Townships in a residential neighborhood that is zoned by the West Rockhill Township as “Residential Conservation.” The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has granted Adelphia permission to override local zoning laws and restrictions to build this project. The facilities location is in close proximity to housing developments, schools and is also near the town of Quakertown. The Compressor sight is within two miles of the Quakertown Swamp which has been designated as a “Wetland of Distinction” by the by the Society of Wetland Scientists. There are also a number of Pennsylvania State Game Lands in close proximity to the compressor sight. 

Legal Action Our Group is Pursuing: 

Our group is appealing the Clean Air Permit that has been granted to Adelphia by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to construct the “Quakertown” Compression Station. The Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court has upheld our appeal to the Environmental Hearing Board (EHB) but Adelphia has asked the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to rule on this case. That decision is pending. Adelphia has also attempted to move the case into Federal Court. In November of 2021, Christopher C. Conner United States District Judge Middle District of Pennsylvania, dismissed their case. In his decision he agreed with the PA Commonwealth Courts decision that the EHB has jurisdiction for the PA-DEP Clean Air Permit Appeal. Adelphia has appealed Judge Conner’s decision to the Federal Third Circuit Court of Appeals. This decision is also pending. The EHB will not rule on our Clean-Air appeal until these cases are cleared.

Environmental Impact of the Compressor Station:

If activated, his compressor station will become a major pollution source to the air in and around Bucks County. Adelphia’s own plan states that the compressor could release over 25 tons per year of nitrogen oxide gases into the air. Formaldehyde, methane, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide will also be released as part of the gas compression operation. This will foul the air that we all breathe. It is also a red-flag for global warning initiatives. 

In addition to air pollution, the project has the potential to sour the water we all drink. As more nitrogen gas enters the atmosphere, it will be absorbed by the highly productive swamp and surrounding wetland areas, altering the chemistry of the water.

It should be noted that this pipeline in no way benefits local residents.

What Can Concerned Residents do about t he compressor Station’s Construction?

This is NOT a done deal. Our legal appeal of the DEP Clean Air Permit is active. Other organizations have federal litigation that is questioning the legality of FERC’s approval of the Adelphia Pipeline. Here is what YOU can do:

• Please educate yourself: Make your own conclusions. We have posted several documents including Adelphia’s Compressor Plan and our appeal documents. 

• Below are a list of helpful links that help explain the environmental impact of Compressor Station and Natural–Gas Pipelines.

• Comment on the FERC Docket: CP18-46-000 (Link below)

• Your voice matters!

• Join our cause: Your support matters! (Go-Fund-Me link is below)

Join and support other organizations such as the Clean-Air Council and the  Delaware Riverkeeper Network: 

We Need Your Help! 

Taking legal action unfortunately cost money. While we have raised over $7,000 to offset our legal cost, the legal cost of continuing this battle are increasing. We have set up a Go-Fund-Me Site:

https://www.GoFundMe.com/f/Protect-the-air-we-all-share

No donation is too small. 

Please also visit our website and signup on our Facebook page. We will keep you informed of activities we have planned for fund raising and community outreach.

Helpful Links:

FERC Docket: CP18-46-000

https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eFiling.aspx

Clean Air Council

https://cleanair.org/

Delaware Riverkeeper Network:

https://www.delawareriverkeeper.org/

Understanding Compressor Stations – Extension-Penn State University

https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-natural-gas-compressor-stations

Bucks County Concerned Citizens Against Pipelines

https://buckscountyccap.wordpress.com/

Quakertown Swamp:

https://heritageconservancy.org/our-impact/explore/lasting-landscapes/quakertown-swamp/#:~:text=Quakertown%20Swamp%20has%20long%20been,diverse%20plant%20and%20animal%20communities.

Bottom Line:

While our small group has been successful by winning two legal decisions in the last two years our struggle is far from over. Adelphia is still continuing construction on the Compressor Station near Quakertown, and is fighting us with their seemingly unlimited legal resources. We need continued community support this project.

Thank you!

Citizens for Clean Air

citcleanair@gmail.com

https://citizensforcleanair.com/

*No. 09-0242 FERC Docket CP18-46-000