Columbia Pipeline Group

Accidents | Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Pipelines | Stark County

Explosion at Columbia Pipeline Meter Station in NE OH Kills Worker
October 25, 2017October 25, 2017

Stark County, OH

In a tragic accident, one worker was killed and another injured while working at a Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline metering station in Stark County, OH on Monday. Media reports say Wesley J. Johnson, 60, of Wooster, OH was standing near the pipe when the end cap came off the pipe and the pressure of the gas in the line exploded outward (not igniting), throwing Johnson backward into a fence. He died instantly from massive trauma to his chest. The pipe valve has been sent to a crime lab to determine what happened. Residents living in the area around the metering station were evacuated for 45 minutes, until the all-clear was given for them to return. Nearby residents reported hearing an explosion and said the sound of the gas coming out of the pipeline was loud–like a jet engine. It’s always a sad day when we have to report of a fatality in the industry…
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Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Jefferson County (WV) | Maryland | Pipelines | Statewide MD | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

Jefferson County, WV Hopes Hinge on Gas Pipe Under Potomac River
September 12, 2017October 16, 2019

Jefferson County, WV has been working for the last 30 years to get natural gas piped into the community. Jefferson is on the cusp of seeing that long-time dream turn into reality–if anti fossil-fuelers in Maryland don’t screw it all up. In April, MDN brought you the news that Columbia Pipeline (now owned by TransCanada) has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build a 3.5 mile, 8-inch pipeline that will carry natural gas from Pennsylvania to connect the Mountaineer Gas system in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia with the Columbia Gas Pipeline in Pennsylvania (see New 3.5 Mile Pipeline Project to Drill Under the Potomac River). The purpose of the Eastern Panhandle Expansion project is to deliver natural gas via local distribution channels (local utility Mountaineer Gas) to a new industrial facility in Berkeley County, WV, scheduled to open this fall, and to provide gas to other local businesses and residents in the Tri-State area. Most of the proposed pipeline crosses through a tiny sliver of Washington County, Maryland. The main “issue” with the project is that the pipeline will be drilled underneath the Potomac River, which serves as the border between WV and MD. That has radical anti-fossil fuelers in an uproar (see Mountaineer Pipeline Under Potomac Latest Focus of Anti Movement). Here’s a look at the faces of those whose lives will be changed for the good by a short, 3.5 mile pipeline under the Potomac, IF…
Read More “Jefferson County, WV Hopes Hinge on Gas Pipe Under Potomac River”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide WV | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

WB XPress Pipeline Gets Important USDA Approval for Natl Forest
September 8, 2017September 8, 2017

TransCanada’s WP XPress pipeline project has just scored an important permit from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service that allows the project to move forward in the Monongahela National Forest. In Jan. 2016, Columbia Pipeline Group (now owned by TransCanada) filed a full, official application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval of the $850 million WB XPress Project (see Columbia Pipeline Files to Build $850M WB XPress Project in WV/VA). WB XPress consists of two new compressor stations, 26 miles of pipeline replacement located along existing corridors (11.6 miles of it in Monongahela National Forest), and 2.9 miles of new pipeline in Virginia and West Virginia. The WB XPress Project will expand capacity of the Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline system in the region by 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), linking Marcellus gas supplies to new markets. FERC issued a favorable environmental assessment for the project in March of this year (see FERC Gives Columbia WB XPress Enviro Thumbs Up). While the Forest Service has given its blessing, the project still needs a final approval from FERC before it can begin construction–something TransCanada asked for just last week. Here’s where things stand with the WP XPress project…
Read More “WB XPress Pipeline Gets Important USDA Approval for Natl Forest”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Hocking County | Industrywide Issues | Ohio | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada

Locals and Pipeline Workers Break Bread in Hocking County, OH
September 7, 2017September 7, 2017

Here’s a story you won’t read in mainstream news outlets–because it doesn’t fit the media’s anti-fossil fuel narrative that all pipelines are evil, and the people installing them are either misguided, or perhaps evil too. TransCanada’s Leach XPress pipeline project involves construction of approximately 160 miles of new “greenfield” natural gas pipeline and compression facilities in southeastern Ohio and West Virginia’s northern panhandle, flowing 1.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas all the way to Leach, Kentucky (hence the name). The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Leach XPress and a companion project, Rayne XPress, in January of this year (see FERC Approves $1.8B Leach & Rayne XPress Pipeline Projects). Construction began in March. One of the locations where the pipeline is actively under construction is Hocking County, in southeast Ohio. A local resident reached out to the pipeline crew working in the area, inviting them to church. Two of the crew members took him up on his offer. After that, the crew foreman invited the entire church to a pizza party with the workers–and they came. Some of the church members brought along homemade soup to share with the workers–and new friendships were forged as they got to know each other over a share meal. Hispanic, African Americans, Caucasians–all together, all having a great time. No talk about the evils of pipelines. Adults behaving like adults. What a breath of fresh air! It all started by inviting the local crew to church…
Read More “Locals and Pipeline Workers Break Bread in Hocking County, OH”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Maryland | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Statewide MD | Statewide PA | Statewide WV | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

Mountaineer Pipeline Under Potomac Latest Focus of Anti Movement
August 9, 2017August 9, 2017

Eastern Panhandle Expansion – click for larger version

In April, MDN brought you the news that Columbia Pipeline (now owned by TransCanada) has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build a 3.5 mile, 8-inch pipeline that will carry natural gas from Pennsylvania to connect the Mountaineer Gas system in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia with the Columbia Gas Pipeline in Pennsylvania (see New 3.5 Mile Pipeline Project to Drill Under the Potomac River). The purpose of the Eastern Panhandle Expansion project is to deliver natural gas via local distribution channels (local utility Mountaineer Gas) to a new industrial facility in Berkeley County, WV, scheduled to open in Fall 2017, and to provide gas to other local businesses and residents in the Tri-State area. Most of the proposed pipeline crosses through a tiny sliver of Washington County, Maryland. The main “issue” with the project is that the pipeline will be drilled underneath the Potomac River, which serves as the border between WV and MD. That has radical anti-fossil fuelers in an uproar. As we pointed out in July, the project is in a fight for its life (see WV Fight Over Simple Expansion of Local Gas Delivery Pipeline). Lack of natural gas is strangling expansion in Jefferson County, WV. But that makes no difference to antis in Maryland who are kicking up a fuss and planning to stage a kayak protest in the Potomac. Below is an update on anti efforts to stop the project, and pro efforts to get it approved and built…
Read More “Mountaineer Pipeline Under Potomac Latest Focus of Anti Movement”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Morgan County (WV) | Pipelines | Regulation | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

Anti-Pipe Objections Aired in Wrong Forum in Morgan County, WV
August 3, 2017August 3, 2017

As MDN has previously reported, Mountaineer XPress Pipeline includes 165 miles of new pipeline with approximately 2.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day of transportation capacity from existing and future points of receipt along or near the Columbia pipeline system–most of it located in West Virginia (see Details on Columbia Pipeline Mountaineer XPress Pipeline Project). Just last month the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) gave Moutaineer XPress and its companion project, Gulf XPress, a favorable final environmental impact statement (see FERC Issues Favorable Final EIS for Mountaineer/Gulf XPress Pipes). The only thing left now is for FERC to issue a certificate for construction to begin–which won’t happen until Sen. Chuck Schumer and obstructionist Democrats allow a Senate vote on new commissioners, to restore a voting quorum at FERC. Don’t hold your breath. At any rate, a few local residents in Morgan County, WV appeared before the Morgan County Commission last night to complain about the project. The residents were there at the prompting of several Big Green groups, who organized the effort. Problem is, Morgan County can’t do a thing about the pipeline project. It was the wrong forum to complain in, but that didn’t stop them…
Read More “Anti-Pipe Objections Aired in Wrong Forum in Morgan County, WV”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide WV | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

FERC Issues Favorable Final EIS for Mountaineer/Gulf XPress Pipes
July 31, 2017July 31, 2017

In February the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a draft final environmental impact statement (DEIS) for two important pipeline upgrades to carry more Marcellus/Utica gas to southern markets–Mountaineer XPress and Gulf XPress (see FERC Issues Favorable Enviro Report for Mountaineer & Gulf XPress). It’s always a good sign when you get a favorable DEIS, because it almost always means you’ll get a favorable final EIS. MDN previously reported on Mountaineer XPress, which includes 165 miles of new pipeline with approximately 2.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day of transportation capacity from existing and future points of receipt along or near the Columbia pipeline system–most of it located in West Virginia (see Details on Columbia Pipeline Mountaineer XPress Pipeline Project). Gulf XPress consists of constructing seven new midpoint compressor stations along the existing Columbia pipeline system in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi, with the aim of moving an additional 875 million cubic feet (MMcf) of Marcellus/Utica gas per day southward, to the Gulf Coast region. Good news. FERC issued a favorable final EIS on Friday…
Read More “FERC Issues Favorable Final EIS for Mountaineer/Gulf XPress Pipes”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Maryland | Morgan County (WV) | Pipelines | Statewide MD | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

WV Fight Over Simple Expansion of Local Gas Delivery Pipeline
July 11, 2017July 11, 2017

Eastern Panhandle of WV

In April, MDN brought you the news that Columbia Pipeline (now owned by TransCanada) has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build a 3.5 mile, 8-inch pipeline that will carry natural gas from Pennsylvania to connect the Mountaineer Gas system in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia with the Columbia Gas Pipeline in Pennsylvania (see New 3.5 Mile Pipeline Project to Drill Under the Potomac River). The purpose of the Eastern Panhandle Expansion project is to deliver natural gas via local distribution channels (local utility Mountaineer Gas) to a new industrial facility in Berkeley County, WV, scheduled to open in Fall 2017, and to provide gas to other local businesses and residents in the Tri-State area. Most of the proposed pipeline crosses through a tiny sliver of Washington County, Maryland. The main “issue” with the project is that the pipeline will be drilled underneath the Potomac River, which serves as the border between WV and MD. That has radical anti-fossil fuelers in an uproar. They spit and spout about “fracked gas from Pennsylvania,” among other reasons to oppose the project. At its core, this is a project to bring Marcellus/Utica natural gas to more businesses and residents that want access to that gas–primarily in West Virginia. And yet there is a full court press by antis to defeat the project. Their aim these days is to prevent building a single inch of new pipelines that flow “evil fossil fuels.” And so this project, which would connect new customers to clean-burning natgas, is in a fight for its life…
Read More “WV Fight Over Simple Expansion of Local Gas Delivery Pipeline”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | M&A | TC Energy/TransCanada

TransCanada Sells 4 Northeast Powergen Assets, 1 in Marcellus
June 7, 2017June 7, 2017

Canadian-based TransCanada, famously known for wanting to build the Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast, didn’t want to be left out of the most important midstream story of the century (the Marcellus/Utica), so they bought Columbia Pipeline Group–closing on the sale in July 2016 (see TransCanada and Columbia Pipeline Tie the Knot Today). The original deal cost TransCanada $10 billion (U.S. dollars), and later TransCanada bought out the remaining portion of Columbia it didn’t own for another $915 million (see TransCanada Raising Big $ to Complete Buyout of Columbia Pipeline). In order to pay for everything, both the original purchase and buying out the rest of Columbia, TransCanada announced floated $3.2 billion (Canadian) in new stock, and entered an agreement to sell off their electric power assets in New England for $3.7 billion (U.S.). On Monday, TransCanada announced the closing of the deals and the transfer of their electric power assets–3 natgas-fired plants, including one located in the Marcellus region (Lebanon, PA), and one wind farm. According to their announcement, TransCanada will hit their asking price of $3.7 billion, using the money to pay off “bridge loans” involved in financing the Columbia Pipeline deal… Read More “TransCanada Sells 4 Northeast Powergen Assets, 1 in Marcellus”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Maryland | Pennsylvania | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide MD | Statewide PA | Statewide WV | TC Energy/TransCanada | West Virginia

New 3.5 Mile Pipeline Project to Drill Under the Potomac River
April 26, 2017April 26, 2017

Click for larger version

Columbia Pipeline, now owned by TransCanada, recently (in March) filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build a 3.5 mile, 8-inch pipeline that will carry natural gas from Pennsylvania to connect the Mountaineer Gas system in West Virginia with the Columbia Gas Pipeline in Pennsylvania. The purpose of the Eastern Panhandle Expansion project is to deliver natural gas via local distribution channels to a new industrial facility in Berkeley County, WV (scheduled to open in Fall 2017), and to provide gas to other local businesses and residents in the Tri-State area. Most of the pipeline crosses through a tiny sliver of Washington County, Maryland. The main issue with the project is that the pipeline will be drilled underneath the Potomac River, which serves as the border between WV and MD. That has antis in an uproar. The good news is that FERC has agreed to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the project. That is, this is now a real project with a high degree of likelihood it will get built…
Read More “New 3.5 Mile Pipeline Project to Drill Under the Potomac River”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide VA | Statewide WV | Virginia | West Virginia

FERC Gives Columbia WB XPress Enviro Thumbs Up
March 28, 2017March 28, 2017

Click image for larger version

In Jan. 2016, Columbia Pipeline Group (now owned by TransCanada) filed their full, official application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for approval of the $850 million WB XPress Project (see Columbia Pipeline Files to Build $850M WB XPress Project in WV/VA). WB XPress consists of two new compressor stations, 26 miles of pipeline replacement located along existing corridors, and 2.9 miles of new pipeline in Virginia and West Virginia. The WB XPress Project will expand capacity of the Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline system in the region by 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), linking Marcellus gas supplies to new markets. The first and most important step in an approval process is an environmental review conducted by FERC. If the environmental assessment (EA) comes back positive, the project is virtually assured of approval. Good news: FERC just delivered a favorable EA for WB XPress…
Read More “FERC Gives Columbia WB XPress Enviro Thumbs Up”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Lawrence County (OH) | Ohio | Pipelines

Leach XPress Pipeline Begins Drilling Under the Ohio River
March 17, 2017March 17, 2017

Leach XPress Map Showing BM-111 Loop – click for larger version

In August 2014, MDN told you that Columbia Pipeline Group decided to move forward with investing $1.75 billion dollars for two new projects: the Leach XPress and Rayne XPress pipeline projects (see Columbia Gas: $1.75B for 2 Projects to Send Marcellus Gas to Gulf). Leach Xpress will begin in Marshall County, West Virginia, cross Ohio and end up in Leach, Kentucky. In January 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the two projects (see FERC Approves $1.8B Leach & Rayne XPress Pipeline Projects). Construction has since begun. Part of the Leach XPress project is a sub-project called the BM-111 Loop, three-mile segment of 36-inch diameter pipe, extending from Columbia’s existing Burlington, OH (Lawrence County) meter station. That segment will go under the Ohio River. Work on the BM-111 Loop, which will employ 140 people during construction, has just begun…
Read More “Leach XPress Pipeline Begins Drilling Under the Ohio River”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | TC Energy/TransCanada

FERC Issues Favorable Enviro Report for Mountaineer & Gulf XPress
February 28, 2017February 28, 2017

In December, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) threw a little cold water on two important pipeline upgrades to carry more Marcellus/Utica gas to southern markets. A final environmental impact statement (EIS) was due from FERC for both the Mountaineer XPress and Gulf XPress projects no later than April 28, 2017. FERC said that the deadline would slip by three months due to reroutes and additional environment information requested (see FERC Delays EIS for Mountaineer XPress & Gulf XPress Pipelines). MDN previously reported on Mountaineer XPress, which includes 165 miles of new pipeline with approximately 2.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per day of transportation capacity from existing and future points of receipt along or near the Columbia pipeline system–most of it located in West Virginia (see Details on Columbia Pipeline Mountaineer XPress Pipeline Project). Gulf XPress consists of constructing seven new midpoint compressor stations along the existing Columbia pipeline system in Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi, with the aim of moving an additional 875 million cubic feet (MMcf) of Marcellus/Utica gas per day southward, to the Gulf Coast region. However, before FERC issues a final EIS for both projects, they must first issue a draft EIS (or DEIS)–which they did yesterday. The good news is that it was a favorable DEIS, signaling a favorable EIS will be issued by the end of April. The further good news is that FERC has scheduled five public hearings (four in WV and one in TN) for late March. We have FERC’s DEIS announcement below, along with a copy of the full DEIS (all 532 pages!)…
Read More “FERC Issues Favorable Enviro Report for Mountaineer & Gulf XPress”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Pipelines | Regulation | TC Energy/TransCanada

Rayne Xpress Gets FERC Approval to Begin Construction in KY
February 6, 2017February 6, 2017

Rayne XPress map – click for larger version

In January, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to approve and issue a certificate to Columbia Pipeine’s Leach XPress and Rayne XPress pipeline projects (see FERC Approves $1.8B Leach & Rayne XPress Pipeline Projects). The two projects work hand in glove to move Marcellus/Utica gas all the way to the Gulf Coast (see Columbia Gas: $1.75B for 2 Projects to Send Marcellus Gas to Gulf). You might think (as we did) that when FERC granted the final certificate, that would be the end of the story. Start the bulldozers, begin building! But no, such is not the way it works in bureaucrat-land. It seems FERC also needed to issue a “Mother May I?” certificate to begin construction, which they did on Friday (amidst a flurry of other certificates issued)…
Read More “Rayne Xpress Gets FERC Approval to Begin Construction in KY”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | TC Energy/TransCanada

Columbia Pipeline Launches Open Season for New M-U Project
January 25, 2017January 25, 2017

Last week the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved Columbia Pipeine’s Leach XPress and Rayne XPress pipeline projects (see FERC Approves $1.8B Leach & Rayne XPress Pipeline Projects). The two projects together will flow an additional 1.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of Marcellus/Utica gas to the Gulf Coast. With those two successes in hand, Columbia Pipeline Group (now owned by TransCanada) is floating another project, called Buckeye XPress. As you can guess from the name, this new project will beef up service along the Columbia Gas Transmission pipeline from Ohio (and PA and WV) to send even more Marcellus/Utica gas to the Gulf via the interconnection at Leach, Kentucky. Columbia launched a non-binding open season to gauge interest in the project, which will use looping and beefed up compressor stations to increase capacity another 700 million cubic feet (MMcf) per day along the existing pipeline Columbia pipeline system, which is abbreviated TCO…
Read More “Columbia Pipeline Launches Open Season for New M-U Project”
Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Pipelines | Regulation | TC Energy/TransCanada

FERC Approves $1.8B Leach & Rayne XPress Pipeline Projects
January 20, 2017January 20, 2017

Yesterday the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) voted to approve and issue a certificate to Columbia Pipeine’s Leach XPress and Rayne XPress pipeline projects. This is fantastic news for the Marcellus/Utica region. MDN has covered these projects from their beginning. In August 2014 Columbia, then a subsidiary of Nisource, committed to building the two projects that will flow Marcellus/Utica gas to the Gulf Coast (see Columbia Gas: $1.75B for 2 Projects to Send Marcellus Gas to Gulf). The Leach XPress project involves construction of approximately 160 miles of natural gas pipeline and compression facilities in southeastern Ohio and West Virginia’s northern panhandle, flowing 1.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas all the way to Leach, Kentucky (hence the name). Rayne XPress works hand in glove with Leach. There is an existing natgas pipeline from Leach, KY all the way to the Louisiana Gulf Coast. That pipeline is called the Rayne, for Rayne, LA. The Rayne Xpress project will beef up the Rayne pipeline with new compressor stations to add an additional 1 Bcf per day of capacity–Marcellus and Utica Shale gas capacity that will flow to the Gulf Coast. It wouldn’t make sense to approve one without the other, and yesterday FERC approved both…
Read More “FERC Approves $1.8B Leach & Rayne XPress Pipeline Projects”