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The Risberg Line  Route

The Risberg Pipeline route will begin in the Meadville, PA area and extend in a northwest direction to Ashtabula County. The project will use approximately 32 miles of existing pipeline in an established Right of Way originating in the Meadville, PA area. Approximately 16 miles of new pipeline will be installed in Pennsylvania and approximately 12 miles of new pipeline will be installed in Ohio.

r h energy trans
rh energy trans risberg line project

The Risberg Line Project Schedule

risberg line timeline

Frequently Asked Questions

Location Related
Questions

Where will the pipeline be located?

The Risberg Line will begin in the Meadville, PA area and extend in a northwest direction to Ashtabula County. The project will use approximately 32 miles of existing pipeline in an established Right of Way originating in the Meadville, PA area. Approximately 16 miles of new pipeline will be installed in Pennsylvania and approximately 12 miles of new pipeline in Ohio.

How long will it be?

The installation of new pipeline and related equipment will amount to approximately 28 miles in Erie County, Pennsylvania and Ashtabula County, Ohio. We will use approximately 32 miles of existing regulated pipeline. The project team has focused on using existing infrastructure where possible. As a result, more than 60% of the new build will leverage existing corridors such as rail, power lines, and roads.

Business Related
Questions

Why is it being built?

There is, and has been for some time, a need to have additional natural gas supply brought into the Ashtabula area to enhance future commercial business development and redundancy of residential service.

Who is building it?

RH energytrans LLC, with offices in Erie, PA, is building the pipeline.

What is it called?

This project will be called The Risberg Line.

What is the project timeline?
Permit applications are being filed with state and federal agencies. We anticipate receiving project approval in the spring to early summer of 2018 and begin construction thereafter.
Who is providing the gas for the pipeline?
Initially natural gas will be received from interstate pipeline sources which will be domestic natural gas. As the project matures it is anticipated that we will be in a position to use even more natural gas from our immediate area.

Economic & Workforce Related
Questions

How much will the pipeline cost?
Early estimates place the project costs at approximately $86,000,000.
Will the Risberg Line create jobs?

Job creation for a project like this takes many forms. Our engineers and designers, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, are already at work on the project. We are working with talented contractors to conduct our environmental, permitting and other planning tasks. As construction gets underway, many jobs will be needed in the field. This activity and the associated wages spur additional spending in the local economy. Once the project is operational, natural gas will flow to energy users that will then be able to expand and hire from the local workforce.

Will local contractors be used?

Yes. Local contractors experienced in pipeline construction and related activities will be utilized wherever possible.

Will the workforce be Union or Non-Union?

Due to the size of the project and the many aspects of work involved there may be a mix of both Union and Non-Union workers.

Where will the materials be manufactured?
We plan to use domestic products manufactured in the USA wherever possible. This will also include using products that are manufactured locally, depending on availability.

Environment & Safety
Questions

What agencies are in charge?

Regulatory agencies having involvement with the project will include but not be limited to:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
  • Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE)
  • Pennsylvania and Ohio Departments of Transportation (PENNDOT and ODOT)
  • Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP)
  • Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA)
  • Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
  • Local Conservation and Agricultural Districts
  • Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission (PAPUC)
  • Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO)
  • Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife
  • Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PADCNR)
  • U.S. Department of Transportation

as well as numerous local governments.

What regulations ensure the safety of our neighborhood?
Each regulatory agency has very specific and detailed regulations governing the installation and safe operation of natural gas pipelines and equipment to ensure public safety and environmental compliance. Field inspectors for these various agencies make regular field inspections throughout the pipeline construction process to ensure that the pipeline and related equipment conforms to all regulations and permit conditions.
What permits does the company need to acquire?

There will be numerous permits required for the installation of this pipeline and related equipment. The lead permitting agency will be the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which under the federal Natural Gas Act, has responsibility for evaluating environmental and landowner impacts associated with project construction and must determine whether the project is required by the public convenience and necessity. Permit approval will be required from many of the agencies listed above along with railroads, utilities, and state or local roads that the pipeline may cross.

How will the route be reclaimed?

The reclamation process will be specified by the regulatory agency with authority for the specific work being done. For example, work in agricultural areas is regulated by a different agency than wetland or road crossings.

How will Ohio and Pennsylvania regulators communicate on the project to FERC and the public?

Ohio and Pennsylvania regulators will communicate their opinions, requests, and requirements during the permit application review period.

Public Role
Questions

How can I stay informed?
You can follow the progress of this project by visiting our website. You may also elect to fill out the contact information included in the Get Engaged page so we can include you on our project updates. Also, you can find updates on the federal application in our project docket. If you’d like to become engaged, you may do so HERE
Will there be public meetings?

Yes, there will be public meetings. We expect to hold one in Pennsylvania and one in Ohio within the next several months.

How do I learn more or express my support?
You can enter your questions and comments by going to the Get Engaged page of our website. You will see a special section dedicated to questions and comments related to the Risberg Pipeline Project. There will also be resources available at our Open Houses to answer your questions.

Approval Process

The proposed Risberg Line is an interstate natural gas pipeline and will be governed by the U.S. Natural Gas Act. That law requires RH energytrans to obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, before construction can commence. Under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act, FERC reviews applications for the construction and operation of natural gas pipelines to ensure that a proposed project will be constructed in a way that is environmentally sound and minimizes impacts on the environment and landowners. In its application review, FERC requires the applicant to certify that it will comply with U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards as well as permit requirements imposed by other State and Federal Agencies.