Powerlines and pipelines: Here we grow again

Tennessee Gas Pipeline seeks expansion

By SANDY LONG

PIKE AND WAYNE COUNTIES, PA — Those who recently breathed a sigh of relief over PPL’s decision not to run its new powerline along “Route A” in Pike and Wayne Counties will need to take another deep breath as Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company (TGPC), a subsidiary of El Paso Corporation, seeks to expand its existing pipeline in those counties.

According to a press release issued by El Paso Corporation, the 300 Line Expansion Project will consist of approximately 125 miles of 30-inch pipe loop, the addition of compression at four existing compressor stations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the construction of two new compressor stations in Northwestern Pennsylvania.

The planned route is expected to follow an existing Tennessee pipeline corridor wherever possible.

Part of that route currently runs through Shohola Township, PA. In response to the proposed expansion, the Shohola Township Board of Supervisors is requesting a meeting with representatives of El Paso Corporation to discuss the environmental and logistical impacts of the project, such as potential consequences to emergency responders and township roads. In part, the letter reads, “a rural township of no more than 3,000 residents and limited resources can never be expected to shoulder the burden of specialized training or purchase extra equipment to be prepared for a potential gas incident.”

El Paso Corporation owns North America’s largest natural gas pipeline system. According to its website, the expansion is being sought to “transport new diversified natural gas supplies, including newly accessed shale gas in Pennsylvania, to serve the growing demand for interstate natural gas transmission service in the Northeastern United States. The project would provide access to natural gas supplies from Gulf Coast, Appalachian, Rockies and Marcellus Shale supply areas and gas deliveries to points along the 300 Line path and into various interconnections with other pipelines in northern New Jersey.”

Construction of the project is subject to regulatory approval from the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) and other agencies. TGPC plans to file its certificate application during the second quarter of 2009 and anticipates construction to occur during 2010 and 2011, pending regulatory approvals for the project.

Visit www.elpaso.com/tgp300lineexpansion/default.shtm for more information on the 300 Line Expansion Project or call 866/683-5587.