Editor:

The PennEast pipeline will, no doubt get their certificate from the Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission in mid-January.

Once that happens the pipeline company will have the authority to use eminent domain to take property from homeowners and farmers in Carbon County.

If that weren’t enough, the company will go back to the commission and obtain permission to begin cutting trees even though they will not have all of the permits necessary to build the pipeline.

This has happened before. In 2016, 28 miles of pipeline right of way was clear cut for the Constitution pipeline. Our Department of Environmental Protection did nothing to stop what turned out to be entirely unneeded damage to Pennsylvania’s forests, parks and homesteads. The state of New York never gave permission for the Constitution pipeline and it was never built — but the damage was done.

The PennEast pipeline also goes through New Jersey, but I am sure that the state of New Jersey will not allow the pipeline right of way to be clear-cut until it is certified that the pipeline actually has all permits and can begin construction.

My question is: Why does Pennsylvania always bear the environmental damage for these big corporations? PennEast will not be the last pipeline to come through Carbon County or Pennsylvania. The beautiful environment of our county and state should not be sacrificed just so private companies can make money.

Linda Christman

Lehighton