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Planned facility upgrades will enable Eastern Shore Natural Gas to continue to provide critical natural gas service to customers during the peak winter heating season.

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About the Project

The Worcester Resiliency Upgrade will consist of a new liquefied natural gas storage facility in Bishopville, Maryland, with five low-profile horizontal storage tanks set adjacent to an existing industrial area. Additional pipeline looping and upgrades to existing meter and regulator stations will enable Eastern Shore Natural Gas to provide critical natural gas service to customers during the peak winter heating season. This facility will reliably serve natural gas demand needs similar to many other facilities operating in the United States.

Project Map

Fast Facts

  • Five 100,000-gallon low-profile horizontal storage tanks
  • 14,000 Dth/day of sendout capacity capability
  • Located on 135+/- acre rural parcel adjacent to an active, existing asphalt plant in Bishopville, Maryland
  • Includes pipeline looping in Delmar (Sussex County, Delaware) and Delmar (Wicomico County, Maryland)
  • Includes pipeline looping: Delmar (Sussex County,Delaware); Delmar (Wicomico County, Maryland), upgrades to three existing meter and regulator stations: Selbyville (Sussex County, Delaware); Berlin (Worcester County, Maryland); and Thompson (Somerset County, Maryland) and upgrades to the existing Millsboro Pressure Control Station with pipeline tie-in (Sussex County, Delaware)

Process for Natural Gas Certificates

PIO = Public Input Opportunities

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil and electricity. Eastern Shore filed an application for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with FERC for the Worcester Resiliency Upgrade on August 31, 2023.

Project Updates

  • July 19, 2023: A public information session was held on July 19, 2023, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Worcester County Library, Berlin Branch, 13 Harrison Ave, Berlin, MD 21811, where residents were invited to learn more about the project.
  • August 31, 2023: Application filed with FERC and assigned Docket No. CP23-536-000. Application can be accessed here: https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/filelist?accession_number=20230831-5145.
  • September 15, 2023: FERC issued its Notice of Application and established an intervention deadline of October 6, 2023 at 5 p.m. EST.
  • October 26, 2023: Eastern Shore held an Open House on October 26th at the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department. The Open House was attended by 15 members of the local community. Personnel from multiple disciplines were present to answer various questions and provide information about the Project.
  • December 13, 2023:  The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) held a public scoping session on December 13 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm EDT at the Bishopville Volunteer Fire Department located at 10709 Bishopville Road in Bishopville, MD.
  • December 22, 2023: FERC published the Notice of Schedule for the preparation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. The intended schedule for environmental review is the issuance of the EA April 26, 2024 and 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline July 25, 2024.
  • January 12, 2024: Eastern Shore provided a project update to the 15 members of the Eastern Shore Delegation, from the Maryland General Assembly. The lawmakers represent districts that are in or include parts of the nine counties from the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
  • January 22, 2024: Eastern Shore met with Worcester County officials to discuss zoning of the Bishopville facility parcel of the Worcester Resiliency Upgrade project.
  • January 23, 2024: Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Utilities Corp. personnel conducted an emergency response training with the Showell Volunteer Fire Dept. The training was attended by 31 firefighters to learn about tactical responses to gas infrastructure incidents.
  • April 26, 2024: FERC issued an Environmental Assessment, concluding that “approval of the proposed project would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.” Public comment on the Environmental Assessment closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28th.

Eastern Shore employees answer questions about the project from local residents at the October 26th Open House.

Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Utilities Corporation conducted an emergency response training with Showell Volunteer Fire Department on January 23, 2024. The training was attended by 31 firefighters, emergency responders and rescue personnel. Participants learned about tactical responses to gas infrastructure incidents.