FERC authorizes plan to expand Transco gas pipeline to New York, New Jersey

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized an expansion of the Transco natural gas pipeline to consumers in New Jersey and New York.

The Gateway Expansion Project will create 65,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation capacity to meet the growing natural gas demand in these northeastern markets.

“Natural gas is a critical, low-cost component of the mix of energy sources necessary to meet the region’s growing energy needs and to help meet its aggressive clean air goals,” said Michael Dunn, chief operating officer at Williams, which will build the expansion. “Energy infrastructure upgrades like our Gateway Expansion project will help ensure consumers continue to benefit from clean, reliable and affordable energy.”

The project has been designed to minimize community and environmental impacts by using existing pipeline infrastructure. Practically the entire expansion route is located within Transco’s existing rights of way or property boundaries. The project also includes adding electric horsepower at an existing Transco compressor station in Essex County, N.J. Further, modifications will be made to two existing Transco meter stations in Passaic County and Essex County, N.J.

Williams anticipates beginning construction on the Gateway Expansion Project in the spring of 2019. The targeted completion date is Nov. 1, 2020, in time for the 2020/2021 winter heating season.

Transco delivers natural gas through its approximately 10,000-mile pipeline network that extends from South Texas to New York City. The system provides gas to 12 Southeast and Atlantic Seaboard states, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.