In recent months, the Pennsylvania Game Commission approved the expansion of game lands in the Commonwealth by 229 acres made possible by a donation from Energy Transfer’s wholly owned subsidiary, Regency Marcellus Gas Gathering, LLC. The donated tracts include 154 acres in Mount Pleasant Township and 75 acres in North Centre Township of primarily wooded forest, which is common habitat for deer, grouse, bear, and turkey.

The Game Commission owns and manages nearly 1.5 million acres of state game lands throughout the Commonwealth with the primary purpose of habitat management. The Commission also provides opportunities for lawful hunting and trapping.

“Energy Transfer’s association with the Game Commission goes beyond being a trusted business partner,” said Pete Sussenbach, who heads the agency’s Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management. “Energy Transfer has helped add acreage to Pennsylvania’s state game lands system, and consistently goes above and beyond, working with local Pennsylvania Game Commission habitat experts and putting the company’s own crews on the ground to create and improve habitat on game lands, benefiting wildlife and hunters alike.”

Energy Transfer donated the land as replacement habitat for areas of State Game Lands in Sullivan and Bradford counties where the company recently installed a natural gas pipeline. The company worked with the Pennsylvania Game Commission to license the right-of-way and determine the safest route with the smallest environment footprint.  The pipeline route primarily parallels an existing road, further protecting matured oak and spruce trees.

Construction of the 12-mile pipeline included the felling of trees, which created additional grassland habitat for wildlife grazing and nesting. Ongoing restoration by Energy Transfer includes planting nearly 17,000 indigenous shrub and tree species throughout the area.  Energy Transfer will continue to maintain the pipeline and its right-of-way and monitor the pipeline 24/7 for its continued safe operation.