FERC Announcing Investigation into Energy Transfer’s Rover Pipeline

Columbus, OH -- Today, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) notified Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) that it was conducting an investigation into the construction of the fracked gas Rover pipeline. The investigation comes as the Ohio EPA discovered the presence of petroleum hydrocarbon constituents, which are commonly found in diesel fluid, among the fluid ETP spilled near the Tuscarawas River during construction.

Since news of the 15 violations broke on April 18th, Energy Transfer Partners has racked up 16 additional violations, spilled 10,000 gallons of drilling fluid in Harrison County, and failed to pay its 2nd installment of its 401 permit fee. Energy Transfer Partners is currently operating without a Clean Water Act permit in Ohio. Last week, FERC halted the process at eight locations of the 32 where drilling is taking place under Ohio’s wetlands and streams.

Earlier today, FreshWater Accountability Project, Michigan Residents Against the ET Rover Pipeline, and the Sierra Club sent a letter urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to immediately shut down all construction activity on Energy Transfer Partners’ controversial Rover Pipeline project.

In response, Sierra Club Ohio Director Jen Miller released the following statement:

“Energy Transfer has repeatedly proven itself not only incompetent, but an immediate threat to Ohioans and our wetlands and waterways. While we are encouraged by the announcement of this investigation, ETP must be required to halt all operations on the pipeline until FERC can thoroughly examine the company's violations and inability to protect Ohioans.

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