In a December 18, 2012 legal filing, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Hearing Board was asked to issue an Order of Supersedeas that would prevent the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company from proceeding with mobilization and tree clearing. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Responsible Drilling Alliance filed the petition, essentially a request for a stay of construction activity, together with their notices of appeal of three DEP permits issued for the project, in order to allow the groups enough time to pursue their legal challenge while maintaining the status quo.

Ralph Kisberg, Board President of the Responsible Drilling Alliance states:  "As with all aspects of shale resource development, the permitting system is designed for approval and heavily weighted in favor of industry, in good part due to their technical nature. Community concerns are basically given lip service. It is therefore extremely important all legal reviews are completed before any work on the ground commences. We have a supply glut of shale gas at this time. There is no need to hurry this project except that pipeline projects are a very profitable business."  

For more information, visit the Delaware Riverkeeper website.