Jan 10, 2014 3 min read

A proposed air quality permit that will allow Equitrans LP to expand its Jefferson Compression Station will be the subject of a public hearing later this month by the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The company plans to triple the capacity of the station by adding a new 16,301 horsepower natural gas turbine to the site for natural gas compression. The site now operates with three, natural gas fired engines each rated at 4,735 horsepower.

DEP’s informal conference and public hearing on the approval of the permit will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 21 in the Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company social hall.

The project is being developed in response to the growth in Marcellus Shale production in Pennsylvania and West Virginia and will enable natural gas producers to move their product to consumer markets, Equitrans said in its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission filing.

The additional compressor will increase the amount of natural gas the company can move through the station from about 300 million cubic feet a day to 950 million cubic feet a day, it said.

The station on Denny Hill Road, near Ridge Road, has been in operation for less than two years and was constructed in conjunction with the company’s Sunrise pipeline project.

According to the FERC filing, the new turbine will be housed in a 2,700-square-foot addition that will be built onto the existing 13,120-square-foot compressor building at the site.

Acoustical insulation on the building and silencers on the equipment will be used to reduce noise from the operations to comply with federal and township noise regulations.

The company said it also will use best available technology to control emissions from the station. Plan approval has been conditioned to ensure compliance with all emission limits, DEP said.

According to DEP, plant emissions with the additional turbine will remain below “major source” levels for all pollutants except nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide equivalents. As a major source of nitrogen oxide and carbon dioxide equivalents, the company will be required to obtain a “Title V” operating permit once operations begin, it said.

At the informal conference and hearing, company representatives will give a presentation on the plan beginning at 6 p.m. DEP officials will then explain the permit approval process.

The formal public hearing portion of the meeting will begin at 7 p.m. with the acceptance of testimony from the public. Those who intend to provide testimony at the hearing are asked to call John Poister, DEP community relations coordinator, at 412-442-4203 before 3 p.m. Jan. 21.

DEP also will accept written testimony until Jan. 31. Those who wish to submit written testimony are asked to send three copies to Devin Tomko, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, 400 Waterfront Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

Natalie Cox, Equitrans director of communications, said the company intends to remain “open and transparent” with the community regarding its plans for the station.

The meeting will give residents the chance to come in and ask any question they might have regarding the project, she said.