Northeast Supply Enhancement advances at FERC

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a favorable draft environmental impact statement for Williams' Northeast Supply Enhancement natural gas pipeline project.

The $930mn Transcontinental Gas pipeline expansion would provide 400mn cf/d (11.3mn m³/d) of gas to National Grid in time for the winter 2019-20 heating season. Once complete, the project will serve demand in the northeast, including 1.8mn customers of National Grid in portions of New York, New York.

FERC staff concluded that the project would result in some adverse environmental impacts. But those impacts could be reduced to less-than-significant levels if proposed mitigation measures are followed.

The project includes about 36 miles (58km) of pipeline looping facilities, the addition of 21,902hp at an existing compressor station and a new 32,000hp compressor station. Transco expects the project to come on line in December 2019.

The expansion is designed to complement the existing Brooklyn Queens Interconnect/Rockaway Lateral Project, which was completed in the spring of 2016, and was the first new gas supply delivery point in decades for National Grid customers in the region.

FERC said it is soliciting comments on the draft statement for the Northeast Supply Enhancement by 14 May. The commission has also announced four public comment sessions on the project to take place from late April through early May in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Pipeline expansions that provide an outlet for supplies from the northeast have come under increasing regulatory scrutiny after other high-profile projects were stalled or cancelled. State regulators in New York denied a key water permit for the 628mn cf/d Constitution pipeline, bringing the development of that $748mn project to a standstill.

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 environmental review process is the final step before the commission decides on whether to approve the project.