FERC gives Transco expansion environmental OK

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has given Williams' 400mn cf/d (11.3mn m³/d) Northeast Supply Enhancement expansion project a positive environmental review, but the line may remain in regulatory limbo after state regulators rejected a key permit last year.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation in April 2018 denied a water certificate to the $930mn expansion of Williams' Transcontinental Gas pipeline (Transco), saying its application materials had incomplete information and because FERC's environmental review may result in changes to the project. Williams in mid-May 2018 resubmitted its application, which is still pending.

The company hailed FERC's environmental approval as a major milestone for the project before the commission's final decision on the project, expected later this spring.

FERC's final environmental impact statement for the project said it would result in some adverse environmental impacts but that those impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with mitigation measures.

The Northeast Supply Enhancement project would expand service on Transco by adding about 37 miles (60km) of new pipeline across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, increasing horsepower at existing compressor stations and building a new compressor station in Somerset County, New Jersey.

FERC prepares either an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement for pipeline projects, depending on each project's scope. An environmental impact statement has more steps and includes meetings to hear public comments, as well as a final draft including FERC's response to comments.

The project is scheduled to begin service in late 2020.