Exeter planners hear proposal for renewable natural gas facility

EXETER TWP. Pa. – The Exeter Township Planning Commission on Monday heard a proposal to build a renewable natural gas facility.

British energy company BP would like to build the RNG facility on the Pioneer Crossing Landfill property owned by J.P. Mascaro and Sons, located across from Birdsboro on the north side of the Schuylkill River.

The proposed facility would employ three to five people, and would be connected to an existing natural gas pipeline approximately 2 miles away. No natural gas would be stored on the landfill property.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “renewable natural gas” is a term used to describe biogas that has been upgraded for use in place of fossil natural gas.

Representatives from Larson Design Group, who are assisting BP on the project, appeared before the planning commission Monday night. Following a slide presentation by Larson, the commissioners heard a 21-point review letter from Great Valley Consultants outlining steps to comply with the township’s Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance.

A representative from Larson said that it is expected to take eight to 12 months to construct the RNG facility, and it could be in operation by the end of 2026.

The commissioners recommended that BP and Larson modify the plan with Great Valley Consultants’ revisions and return to the planning commission for approval of a preliminary land development plan.

In other news, Vice Chair Jeffrey Witman reported that a draft of the joint comprehensive plan with Amity and Douglass townships and St. Lawrence Borough can be reviewed by the planners.