Millennium Pipeline

Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide NY

FERC Favorable EA for Millennium Pipeline Eastern System Upgrade
April 3, 2017April 3, 2017

The Millennium Pipeline stretches ~244 miles from Independence in Steuben County, NY to Buena Vista in Rockland County, NY. The Millennium, which is supplied by local production and storage fields and interconnecting upstream pipelines, serves customers along its route in New York’s Southern Tier region and helps meet the energy needs of northeast markets. In August 2016, the Millennium filed an application for what it calls its Eastern System Upgrade (see Millennium Pipe Asks FERC to Approve Eastern System Upgrade in NY). The ESU would add 7.8 miles of extra looped pipeline in Orange County, upgrade a compressor station in Delaware County, build a new compressor in Sullivan County and make some minor tweaks to metering stations in Rockland County. The ESU will pump another $275 million into the New York economy with the end result of increasing the flow of natural gas for New York and beyond by fall 2018. Despite the best efforts by THE Delaware Riverkeeper to stop this (and all other) pipeline projects, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a favorable environmental assessment (EA) on Friday for the project (full copy below). A favorable EA indicates the project is on track for a final approval this year. The projected in-service date is fall 2018…
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Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Orange County | Pipelines | Regulation

Millennium Asks FERC for OK to Cut Trees in NY w/o DEC Permits
March 1, 2017March 1, 2017

New York State is a hopeless, corrupt mess. MDN previously reported on a $900 million natural gas-fired electric generating plant coming to Orange County, NY (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). The CPV (Competitive Power Ventures) Valley Energy Center project is being opposed by local anti-drilling ninny nannies, including Hollywood star James Cromwell. No matter. It’s already under construction. The problem now is getting a 7.8 mile pipeline, an off-shoot pipeline from the mighty Millennium Pipeline, built to the plant to supply the natural gas it will need to run. In November the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the short pipeline (see FERC Approves Pipeline to Orange County, NY NatGas Power Plant). However, as with the Constitution Pipeline, the Cuomo Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is intentionally blocking this pipeline using delays. Millennium is not, like Williams did with the Constitution, sitting on its hands waiting for the DEC. The Millennium is aggressively pushing the DEC to grant the necessary water crossing permits and sued the DEC in January to make it happen (see Millennium Pipeline Sues Cuomo’s Corrupt DEC Over Expansion Delay). As with other such projects, Millennium is playing beat the clock with respect to cutting down trees before March 31. After that date federal law prohibits large-scale tree removal in order to protect roosting bats (don’t ask). Millennium, we are happy to report, continues to push aggressively. They’ve asked FERC for permission to cut down trees not on or near swamps, er a, wetlands, without having state permission in hand to do so. In other words, Millennium is asking FERC to put its boot on the neck of the DEC and push. Love it!…
Read More “Millennium Asks FERC for OK to Cut Trees in NY w/o DEC Permits”
Electrical Generation | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Litigation | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Orange County | Pipelines | Regulation

Millennium Pipeline Sues Cuomo’s Corrupt DEC Over Expansion Delay
January 23, 2017January 23, 2017

MDN has previously reported on a $900 million natural gas-fired electric generating plant coming to Orange County, NY (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). The CPV (Competitive Power Ventures) Valley Energy Center project is being opposed by local anti-drilling ninny nannies, including Hollywood star James Cromwell. No matter. It’s already under construction. Unfortunately the very worthy project is marred by corruption inside the Cuomo Administration (see NY NatGas-Fired Electric Plant an Inside Job for Corrupt Cuomo Aide). However, construction continues and the plant will get built. The problem now is getting a 7.8 mile pipeline, an off-shoot pipeline from the mighty Millennium Pipeline, built to the plant to supply the natural gas it will need to run. In November the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the short pipeline (see FERC Approves Pipeline to Orange County, NY NatGas Power Plant). However, as with the Constitution Pipeline, the Cuomo Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is intentionally blocking this pipeline using delays–no doubt at Cuomo’s direction. Millennium is not, like Williams did with the Constitution, sitting on its hands waiting for the DEC. The Millennium is aggressively pushing the DEC to grant the necessary water crossing permits and has just sued the DEC to make it happen…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Orange County | Pipelines | Regulation

FERC Approves Pipeline to Orange County, NY NatGas Power Plant
November 14, 2016November 14, 2016

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved a 7.8 mile off-shoot pipeline from the mighty Millennium Pipeline in Orange County, NY that will feed a new natgas-fired electric plant being built in Wawayanda. The pipeline will supply 130 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of Marcellus gas to feed the new power plant. This is the Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) $900 million plant being opposed by rich Hollywood actor James Cromwell, who lives near the plant site (see Actor James Cromwell Arrested Protesting NY Power Plant Site). The plant has been subjected to several frivolous lawsuits, but was OK’d by a judge last year (see Orange County, NY Marcellus-Fired Electric Plant OK’d by Judge). The last hope of the objectors was to appeal to FERC, telling FERC they should not be the ones overseeing the project since the Millennium Pipeline doesn’t cross state boundaries, and it will feed a power plant inside NY–i.e., it’s not an “interstate” but an “intrastate” project that should be overseen by NY authorities. FERC rejected that line of reasoning…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Regulation | Statewide NY

Millennium Pipe Asks FERC to Approve Eastern System Upgrade in NY
August 3, 2016August 3, 2016

Millennium Pipeline Map – click for larger version

The Millennium Pipeline stretches ~244 miles from Independence in Steuben County, NY to Buena Vista in Rockland County, NY. The Millennium, which is supplied by local production and storage fields and interconnecting upstream pipelines, serves customers along its route in New York’s Southern Tier region and helps meet the energy needs of northeast markets. Earlier this year, the Millennium pre-filed an application for what it calls its Eastern System Upgrade (ESU). The ESU would add 7.8 miles of extra looped pipeline in Orange County, upgrade a compressor station in Delaware County, build a new compressor in Sullivan County and make some minor tweaks to metering stations in Rockland County (see Millennium Pipeline Files with FERC to Upgrade Eastern Region). The ESU will pump another $275 million into the New York economy with the end result of increasing the flow of natural gas for New York and beyond by fall 2018. Last Friday the Millennium officially filed and asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for permission to move forward and build. That’s despite the best efforts by THE Delaware Riverkeeper to stop this (and all other) pipeline project…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Statewide NY

Millennium Pipeline Files with FERC to Upgrade Eastern Region
March 24, 2016March 24, 2016

The Millennium Pipeline stretches ~244 miles from Independence in Steuben County, NY to Buena Vista in Rockland County, NY. The Millennium, which is supplied by local production and storage fields and interconnecting upstream pipelines, serves customers along its route in New York’s Southern Tier region and helps meet the energy needs of northeast markets. MDN is written about 3 miles away from the path of the Millennium in Broome County, NY. In February the Millennium pre-filed an application for what it calls its Eastern System Upgrade (ESU). The ESU would add 7.8 miles of extra looped pipeline in Orange County, upgrade a compressor station in Delaware County, build a new compressor in Sullivan County and make some minor tweaks to metering stations in Rockland County. The project will pump another $275 million into the New York economy with the end result of increasing the flow of natural gas for New York and beyond by fall 2018. Of course THE Delaware Riverkeeper can’t stand it and has launched an all-out assault on the project, hoping to slow it down or stop it…
Read More “Millennium Pipeline Files with FERC to Upgrade Eastern Region”
Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Statewide NY

NY’s Millennium Pipeline Launches Open Season to Expand
March 12, 2015March 12, 2015

The Millennium Pipeline–a natural gas pipeline running through upstate New York’s Southern Tier area from Corning, NY to Rockland County, NY–announced a new open season yesterday. The open season will sign up new customers from now until the end of the month, March 31. The Millennium, which is jointly owned by NiSource, National Grid and DTE Energy, plans to expand facilities along the line, increasing capacity. That usually means they will install some new loops, or additional pipelines right next to the existing pipeline, along with upgrades to compressor plants. The purpose? Deliver more clean-burning natural gas to customers throughout the northeast…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Orange County | Pipelines

NY Anti-Driller Claims Compressor Station Causing Son’s Asthma
June 20, 2014June 20, 2014

A small group of virulent anti-drillers from New York City, who flee the city on the weekends and live in places like Orange County, NY, are once again slandering Marcellus drilling in New York State by targeting industry-related initiatives like pipeline compressor stations. To wit: A family who opposed the compressor station built by the Millennium Pipeline in Minisink, NY (southwest Orange County) now claim their 16-year old son has had a “sudden onset” of asthma which occurs only when they flee the city for the weekends to their summer home in Minisink. They conveniently blame the compressor station. What to do? Hire a so-called consultant to address a small group in the area, get a local reporter to show up and regurgitate a whopping pack of lies to scare everyone who reads the local rag…
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Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Broome County | Cortland County | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Onondaga County | Pipelines

Millennium Scraps Cortland-to-Syracuse Pipeline, Binghamton Next?
December 19, 2013December 19, 2013

In May MDN told you about plans by the Millennium Pipeline to expand “south to north,” to haul Marcellus Shale gas from Cortland to Syracuse, NY, launching a non-binding “open season” to gauge interest (see The Irony: Millennium Pipeline Expanding in NY for More Shale Gas). The Cortland-to-Syracuse pipeline was part of a larger plan, to go from Binghamton-to-Syracuse. The Millennium’s plan is/was to build a pipeline from Binghamton to Cortland first, and then from Cortland on to Syracuse. The open season in May was to see if there would be enough interest for the Cortland to Syracuse leg. Apparently, there was not.

An article in the Syracuse Post-Standard yesterday says the Millennium has scrapped their plan to build the Cortland-to-Syracuse pipeline. And, even more surprisingly, the Binghamton-to-Cortland pipeline (where the Millennium would connect to the Dominion Transmission pipeline) is now ominously “under review.” Which sure looks to us like the entire project may be scrapped. Question: Did the ever-present opposition from anti-drilling nutters sink the Millennium project?…
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Accidents | Delaware County | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines

Minor Incident in with Millennium Pipeline NY Compressor Station
December 9, 2013December 9, 2013

The Millennium Pipeline was supposed to have completed a new compressor station near Hancock (Delaware County), NY in November. They’re getting close to being done, but not quite there yet. The new 15,900 horsepower compressor facility will add an additional 107.5 million cubic feet per day of capacity to the Millennium Pipeline, allowing them to pump more Marcellus Shale gas to the Algonquin Gas Transmission interconnect at Ramapo, NY.

Whether it was part of normal work to get the facility ready or there was a “problem” with bringing the compressor online, last Thursday Millennium personnel knocked on the door of the only residence living close to the facility and requested the family either stay inside for the next several hours, or immediately evacuate for a few hours while Millennium vented natural gas from the facility. The family (wisely) decided to evacuate for several hours…
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Columbia Pipeline Group | Energy Services | Millennium Pipeline | NiSource | Pennant Midstream

NiSource 3Q13: Income Doubled, Progress on NE Midstream Projects
November 1, 2013November 1, 2013

NiSource, a huge midstream and utility company in the northeast/Midwest and parent of Columbia Gas, released their third quarter operations and financial update yesterday. They report income nearly doubled from a year ago (up 198%), and is on track to invest a massive $2 billion this year in upgrades and expansion projects. NiSource is a major midstream player in the Marcellus/Utica region through NiSource Midstream, Columbia Gas, Millennium Pipeline and Pennant Midstream–together what they consider their Columbia Pipeline Group (CPG).

Here’s relevant portions from yesterday’s update that concern the NiSource’s midstream operations in the Marcellus/Utica region:
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Delaware County | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Regulation

Millennium Pipeline Gets FERC Approval for Hancock, NY Compressor
October 4, 2013October 4, 2013

The Millennium Pipeline is a major northeastern natural gas transmission pipeline that starts in Steuben County, NY, runs along the center/bottom of the state (an area called New York’s Southern Tier) and angles down through the Catskill Mountains toward New York City, ending in Rockland County, NY. If you know anything about the geography of New York, it roughly parallels State Route 17 (in parts now called Interstate 86). The Millennium runs close to where MDN sits, not far from Binghamton. It handles an increasing amount of Marcellus Shale gas and is one of the important ways Marcellus gas gets to market.

Just down the road about 33 miles from MDN is a little town called Hancock, NY–in Delaware County. The Millennium runs by Hancock. The company previously filed a request with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to build a new compressor plant near Hancock, at a location called Hungry Hill. The Millennium wants to install a single 15,900 horsepower compressor engine to increase pressure and throughput of gas in the pipeline as it flows through Delaware County. A compressor at Hungry Hill would add 107,500 thousand cubic feet per day of additional capacity to the pipeline. FERC has just green lighted the project…
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Chemung County | Dominion Energy | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines

Millennium Pipeline Looks to Move More Marcellus Gas with Dominion
September 9, 2013September 9, 2013

The story of the northeast: Too much Marcellus Shale natural gas, not enough pipelines to move it all to market. More pipelines are on the way like the Constitution, but in the meantime, how to move the enormous amount of gas already flowing?

On Friday, the Millennium Pipeline, a major transmission pipeline that traverses New York State from Steuben County in the western part of the state to Rockland County in the southeastern part of the state, announced a binding open season through September 13 on a proposal to ship more Marcellus gas by creating an interconnect between Dominion Transmission’s pipeline and the Millennium at or near Horseheads, NY (close to Elmira)…
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Broome County | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Statewide NY

New Pipeline Construction Coming to Broome County, NY
May 16, 2013May 16, 2013

Last week MDN told you that one of New York State’s largest natural gas transmission pipelines, the Millennium, is planning to build a couple of new connectors to other pipelines running through upstate New York (see The Irony: Millennium Pipeline Expanding in NY for More Shale Gas). We now know a bit more about those plans. Several towns in eastern Broome County, NY have received notices from the Millennium that they sit along the proposed pathway where new construction would occur…
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Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Statewide NY

Analysis of Millennium Pipeline’s Proposed Expansion in NY
May 13, 2013

Andy Leahy, writing on the always-excellent NY Shale Gas Now! blog site, recently posted an analysis of the Millennium Pipeline announcement that they intend to Read More “Analysis of Millennium Pipeline’s Proposed Expansion in NY”
Broome County | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Millennium Pipeline | New York | Pipelines | Statewide NY

The Irony: Millennium Pipeline Expanding in NY for More Shale Gas
May 10, 2013May 11, 2013

The Millennium Pipeline, an interstate natural gas pipeline that spans most of New York State running from Corning to Rockland County, is expanding Read More “The Irony: Millennium Pipeline Expanding in NY for More Shale Gas”