Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. (EGTS) has received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for its Appalachian Reliability Project (ARP), marking a significant milestone in the advancement of this important regional natural gas infrastructure project.
What Is a CPCN and Why Does It Matter?
Interstate natural gas transmission companies must obtain approval from FERC before constructing new facilities or expanding. A CPCN is granted only after applicants demonstrate a project’s need and complete an extensive review process evaluating potential impacts to communities and the natural environment.
Depending on project complexity, applicants must conduct field investigations, perform environmental and engineering analyses, and develop numerous resource reports documenting project benefits as well as potential impacts. FERC maintains detailed requirements for these applications, with the most complex projects requiring a full application under the agency’s 7C Process.
The Appalachian Reliability Project includes the construction and operation of approximately 3.9 miles of new pipeline and modifications to compression, metering, and regulation facilities that will provide an additional 550,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation capacity serving facilities in Armstrong, Greene, and Westmoreland counties, Pennsylvania, and Monroe County, Ohio.
The project addresses forecasted capacity constraints in major pipeline corridors throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, as well as increasing natural gas production from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. Pipeline infrastructure has not expanded at the same pace as projected production and growing demand from power generation and residential heating customers. Due to its complexity and regional significance, the project required FERC’s comprehensive 7C review process.
CEC’s Role in Effort
CEC played a leading role in helping EGTS achieve this important regulatory milestone. Working closely with EGTS personnel, CEC prepared project plans, evaluated environmental and community impacts, and developed the complete CPCN application and supporting documentation for FERC review.
Through multiple rounds of federal, state, and local agency reviews, as well as public comment and stakeholder engagement, CEC and EGTS collaborated to address technical, environmental, and regulatory considerations throughout the approval process. These efforts culminated in FERC issuing the Certificate Order on June 18, 2026. Following EGTS’s acceptance of the order on July 10, 2026, CEC subsequently assisted EGTS with the preparation of the Implementation Plan to advance the project toward construction.
While FERC approval represents a major achievement, additional state authorizations were also required. CEC’s expertise in Pennsylvania and Ohio permitting processes contributed significantly to the project’s success. Concurrently with the FERC application effort, CEC prepared permit applications related to earth disturbance activities and water resource impacts and successfully secured the necessary approvals in both states.
A Demonstration of CEC’s Multidisciplinary Capabilities
The Appalachian Reliability Project represents another addition to CEC’s growing portfolio of complex infrastructure projects requiring FERC approval. The project engaged 97 CEC employees from multiple offices and disciplines, including ecological, environmental, civil engineering, and GIS services.
To date, those team members have contributed nearly 4,800 hours toward the project. The successful completion of the CPCN application required the coordinated efforts of professionals developing engineering plans, environmental resource reports, impact assessments, and permit applications.
The CEC project team consists of Kelly Rieger-Miller as Project Manager, Robert Oates, P.E., as Principal, Lisa Mash as FERC Lead, and Kelly Morgan, P.E., as Engineering Task Lead. Major contributors include Natalie Shearer, Task Lead for state and federal permit development; Kevin Colaizzi, GIS Lead; Marshall Hayden, EIT, for erosion and sediment control plan and permit development; Maria Smith, Task Lead for Cultural Resources and Tribal Engagement; Casey Spiker and Angela Heisinger, Task Leads for Air Quality; Kathleen Grkman, who authored numerous ARP Resource Reports; and numerous additional team members whose expertise contributed to the project’s success.
Looking Forward
Achieving federal certification for a project of this scale reflects the strength of collaboration among EGTS, regulatory agencies, and the multidisciplinary CEC team. Receipt of the CPCN advances the project toward implementation and positions EGTS to proceed with construction planning.
CEC is proud to have supported this important infrastructure project and is grateful for the opportunity to assist EGTS in achieving this milestone. The successful approval of the Appalachian Reliability Project highlights the depth of CEC’s technical expertise, regulatory knowledge, and commitment to delivering complex projects that serve critical energy infrastructure needs throughout the region.
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