FERC authorizes expansion of Transco gas pipeline in New Jersey

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has authorized the Rivervale South to Market project, which is an expansion of the existing Transco natural gas pipeline.

The Rivervale South to Market project in New Jersey will uprate 10.35 miles of existing Transco pipeline, add a 0.61-mile pipeline loop, and upgrades and modifications to existing facilities in New Jersey. The contractor, Williams, anticipates beginning construction on the Rivervale South to Market project in early 2019, pending further approvals.

The Transco natural gas pipeline that extends nearly 1,800 miles between South Texas and New York City. The pipeline provides natural gas to markets in 12 Southeast and Atlantic Seaboard states, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

“The demand for clean, reliable, and low-cost natural gas continues to climb, particularly in northeastern markets like New Jersey and New York City,” Micheal Dunn, chief operating officer of Williams, said. “The region has made tremendous strides in improving air quality due primarily to the conversion from fuel oil to natural gas. The Rivervale South to Market project will further propel this progress in a manner that minimizes environmental impacts by maximizing the use of our existing Transco infrastructure.”

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that increased utilization of natural gas has resulted in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions declining 13 percent since 2005. Greenhouse gas emissions are now at their lowest levels since 1992.