A controversial natural gas pipeline project that would have run through Moore Township has been dropped.

The PennEast Pipeline Company sent a statement Sept. 27 to media announcing the news.

“Although PennEast received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to construct the proposed pipeline and obtained some required permits, PennEast has not received certain permits, including a water quality certification and other wetlands permits under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act for the New Jersey portion of the project; therefore, the PennEast partners, following extensive evaluation and discussion, recently determined further development of the project no longer is supported,” PennEast spokesperson Patricia Kornick said. “Accordingly, PennEast has ceased all further development of the project.”

PennEast first announced the 116-mile pipeline, proposed to run from Luzerne County to Mercer County, N.J., in 2014. There were plans for the pipeline to pass within approximately 4,000 feet of Moore Elementary School and 4,900 feet of George Wolf Elementary School.

Northampton Area School District leaders had asked for the pipeline route to be moved in 2015 when it was discovered the project would come within 1,900 feet of Moore Elementary. PennEast reportedly changed the route to the 4,000-foot distance following reports of concern for the safety of students and staff.

The project was split into two phases, with the first including 68 miles of pipe and the portion running through Carbon and Monroe counties, entirely within Pennsylvania. That phase of the project was to be completed in 2022, with the New Jersey portion scheduled for completion in 2023.

Local opposition to the pipeline formed almost immediately, led by the group Save Carbon County and its president, Linda Christman.

“It’s wonderful, absolutely wonderful,” Christman said of the announcement. “We were prepared to keep fighting them. I think staying with it was the key. The pipeline companies always think they can outlast volunteer groups. But we all stuck with it for seven years. I have a note pasted on my fridge that says, ‘Never give up,’ and that has never been more true than today.”

FERC issued PennEast its certificate of public convenience and necessity in 2018.

At one time, Blue Mountain Resort in Lower Towamensing Township had been hoping the pipeline would provide access to natural gas needed for an expansion project, including an outdoor water park and a four-star condominium resort hotel.

“We are committed to taking all possible steps to reduce our carbon footprint at Blue Mountain Resort and will continue to research other renewable energy sources,” Barb Green, Blue Mountain Resort president, said.

State Sen. John Yudichak, meanwhile, lamented the loss of jobs that won’t be available because the pipeline has been scrapped.

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry President Gene Barr said the loss of the pipeline is also a loss for ratepayers, the economy and the environment.

“The increased production of natural gas has directly led to substantial reductions in utility bills for businesses and working families in our state and region, as well as historic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and a significant improvement in air quality,” Barr said. “Unfortunately, pipeline constraints, due in no small part to misguided political opposition from activists, have precluded neighboring states from reaping the benefits of this critical infrastructure development.”

For pipeline opponents like Christman, PennEast’s decision had been a long time coming.

“I remember when the land agent came to our house, sat down at our kitchen table and pushed the easement across to us,” Christman said. “He said, ‘You might as well sign it because this pipeline is going to be built and they’re going to take your land.’ I wish I could talk to that land agent now.”

Last month, PennEast officials said the company was exploring the dismissal of land acquisition lawsuits against local property owners, and last week, a similar action took place in New Jersey.

Maya Van Rossum, the Delaware Riverkeeper and a staunch opponent of the pipeline, said it was just a matter of time.

“We knew we would get here eventually,” Van Rossum said. “We have advocated, litigated, conducted critical scientific ground truthing and been clear throughout that we would accept nothing short of cancellation. All along, we have assured residents up and down the pipeline that we could win as long as we stuck together in opposition.”