On July 29th, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) released a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Rover Pipeline, a $4.2 billion infrastructure project which will distribute domestically-produced natural gas to markets in Ohio, Michigan, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. FERC concluded that construction and operation of the Rover Pipeline will create minimal environmental impacts, which will be effectively mitigated through the extensive planning and coordination enacted by the Rover team.

The Rover Pipeline has been under FERC review since the company filed its first request with the Commission in June 2014. This comprehensive EIS has taken into account feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, from local community members along the pipeline route to federal agencies working in coordination with FERC. Through more than a dozen public meetings in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan over the past two years, FERC was able to collect input on the project from all along the pipeline route. FERC’s positive assessment of the project is testament to both the comprehensiveness of the FERC review process as well as Rover’s thorough attention to detail in preparing its application.

With FERC having concluded its environmental impact statement, the agency now has asked other federal agencies to complete their comments before a certificate can be issued for the project.  While there is no formal deadline in place, a final decision could come from the Commission in the next 3 to 4 months.

View the press release below.