My husband and I moved to Lehighton a little over seven years ago. Before the restrictions put in place due to COVID-19, we traveled throughout northeastern Pennsylvania to camp, fish and kayak in the rivers and lakes. We spent many days enjoying the natural beauty, especially the Lehigh River.

When I first heard about the 7-year-old proposed PennEast pipeline project, I was surprised that Pennsylvania needed another natural gas pipeline. Another shock came when I learned that the pipeline’s proposed route would cross our beloved Lehigh River.

Even though the proposed project wasn’t officially approved to move forward, it has already negatively impacted the environment during soil testing. The documentation of the adverse effects is available in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission docket number PF15-1-000. If the proposed PennEast pipeline is damaging property during soil testing, it stands to reason that the damage will continue if the project moves forward.

The argument in favor of the PennEast pipeline has focused on the economic benefit. Legacy sources of energy that exact high tolls on human health and the environment are not useful in creating revenue. One example of improving our economy and creating more jobs is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. RGGI is a cooperative program across the northeastern U.S. and is already in place in multiple states. In April 2018, the Analysis Group issued a report documenting the benefits in those states that had already adopted RGGI.

It makes no sense to continue the approval process for a 7-year-old project, costing taxpayers time and money. Let’s ask our elected officials to stop wasting time on the PennEast pipeline project.

Thank you

Carol Etheridge

Lehighton