Federal regulators announced on September 16 that they have given their approval for a pipeline that will deliver natural gas to East Coast states from the Marcellus Shale play. The recently-approved project contains a pipeline loop in Pennsylvania that is around seven miles long, and infrastructure that exists in New York State, according to United Press International.

The Northeast Supply Diversification Project was recently approved the The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the media outlet reports.

The Marcellus Shale has gained significant attention recently as a substantial resource for natural gas and natural gas liquids. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a report of the Marcellus Shale deposit in the Appalachian Basin, which found that the formation holds around 84 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 3.4 billion barrels of natural gas liquids. The 2011 report indicated that every well that was drilled in the formation since the 1930s contained "noticeable quantities" of natural gas.

Significant controversy has erupted between landowners whose property contains natural gas and exploration and production companies that want to drill there. A Doddridge County Circuit Judge decided in July that landowners who are affected can bring challenges in court against the drilling permits given to companies, according to the television station WDTV.