Save Carbon County, a community group organized seven years ago to fight the PennEast pipeline, will be celebrating the “retreat” of plans for the pipeline.

The PennEast Company has announced that they will be dismissing all eminent domain claims in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

A pipeline blowout celebration will be held at the Big Creek Grange, Grange Road in Lehighton from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday.

The company also announced that they will not bring an eminent domain suit against the state of New Jersey for easements through state-owned or state-conserved properties (approximately 41 properties), even though they recently won the right to do so in a Supreme Court decision.

The company continues to say that they will pursue their pipeline plans when regulatory conditions are improved and they have said that they are considering continuing with a Pennsylvania-only option called “Phase 1.”

Either of these options would be extremely difficult to complete.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission certification for interstate pipelines will expire in January 2022, and the pipeline still faces two lawsuits at the appellate court in Washington, D.C.

While Save Carbon County will not cease its opposition until there is a formal end to the project, the organization will be celebrating the very big victory over this unneeded and environmentally damaging pipe this Sunday.

You are invited to send a representative and join us for music, chicken barbecue, potluck dishes and desserts.

The event is planned to be held outdoors under the picnic pavilion. Wear a sweater. If the event is held indoors due to inclement weather, masks will be required.