Constitution Pipeline Receives FERC Authorization to Proceed with Limited Tree Felling Activities in Pennsylvania
January 29 2016 - 5:07PM
Business Wire
- Natural Gas Pipeline Critical to
Meeting Region’s Expanding Energy Needs
- Project to Support 2,400 Jobs and $130
Million in Labor Income in the Region
Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC received authorization from
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) today to proceed
with limited tree felling activities along its
federally-certificated pipeline right-of-way in Pennsylvania. The
authorization is a significant milestone and major step forward for
the pipeline designed to transport enough natural gas to serve
approximately 3 million U.S. homes.
“We appreciate the FERC’s prompt issuance of a limited 'Notice
to Proceed' for non-mechanized hand felling of trees in
Pennsylvania,” the project sponsors said in a joint statement.
“Although the Commission has not yet authorized tree felling in New
York, we are optimistic that authorization will come in order for
the project to meet its 2016 in-service commitment while complying
with the environmental conditions of the FERC Order and the USFWS
Biological Opinion.”
Approximately one-quarter of the trees planned to be felled are
located within Pennsylvania, while the remaining tress are located
in New York. Constitution Pipeline plans to begin limited tree
felling activities in Pennsylvania as soon as its contractors and
crews can be trained and deployed, finishing before March 31 to
avoid adverse impacts to migratory birds and the Northern
long-eared bat. These activities will be subject to third party
environmental monitoring. In coordination with state and federal
agencies, Constitution Pipeline has agreed to voluntarily provide
$8.6 million in conservation funding for the restoration and
preservation of migratory bird habitats as a conservation
measure.
Assuming timely receipt of all remaining permits, in addition to
a full “Notice to Proceed” from FERC, Constitution Pipeline
anticipates beginning mainline construction in the spring of 2016
in order to help meet growing natural gas demand in New York and
New England during the fourth quarter of 2016.
Last week in Afton, N.Y., more than 300 people, including
landowners, elected officials, business leaders, labor union
members and community leaders, rallied in support of the pipeline
project, highlighting the economic benefits the pipeline will
deliver to New York. Construction of the project is estimated to
directly and indirectly support 2,400 jobs and generate $130
million in labor income for the region. Once operational, the
pipeline’s economic impact is anticipated to result in more than
$13 million in local tax revenue and more than $600,000 in new
income in the region.
In addition to serving markets in New England and New York City,
Constitution Pipeline and Leatherstocking Gas Company, LLC have
announced plans to install four delivery taps along Constitution's
proposed route to facilitate local natural gas service to homes and
businesses in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania.
The Constitution Pipeline project involves the construction and
operation of approximately 125 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline
from natural gas supply areas in northeast Pennsylvania and
connecting with existing transmission pipelines in Schoharie
County, N.Y. Once complete, the pipeline will immediately become a
key piece of natural gas pipeline infrastructure in the Northeast,
creating an important connection between consumers and reliable
supplies of clean, affordable natural gas. Constitution will help
address pipeline infrastructure issues that have exposed New
England and New York consumers to periods of high natural gas
prices and, significantly higher electric-generation costs.
Constitution will also provide opportunities to improve regional
air quality by using cleaner-burning natural gas in lieu of other
fuels.
Constitution Pipeline Company
Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC is owned by subsidiaries of
Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE:WPZ), Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation
(NYSE:COG), Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. (NYSE:PNY), and WGL
Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:WGL). The 125-mile pipeline project is
proposed to connect domestic natural gas production in northeastern
Pennsylvania with northeastern markets during the fourth quarter of
2016. Additional information about the Constitution Pipeline can be
found at www.constitutionpipeline.com.
Portions of this document may constitute “forward-looking
statements” as defined by federal law. Although the company
believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially
different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the “safe
harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Reform
Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to
material changes in performance is contained in the company’s
annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160129005968/en/
Constitution Pipeline Company, LLCChris Stockton,
713-215-2010christopher.l.stockton@williams.com
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