Spectra Energy

Two of the most unfit Senators in the U.S. Senate are Ed Markey and the faux American Indian, Elizabeth Warren. Both radical extremists–both kind of loopy. So it is no surprise that they are calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reverse the decision FERC made just last week to authorize Spectra Energy’s Atlantic Bridge project (see FERC Approves Atlantic Bridge Project for New England/Canada). What makes their request so bizarre is there isn’t a chance in Hates that FERC will reverse that decision–especially with President Donald J. Trump in charge (yes, elections have consequences). So why ask FERC to do it? Ostensibly antis like Markey and Warren are worried about FERC for the same reasons pro-gas supporters are worried. With the huffy departure of Commissioner Norman Bay today (calculated to do maximum damage to the Trump Administration), there won’t be enough Commissioners to make decisions on big pipeline projects (see FERC Commissioner Resigns Threatening Major M-U Pipeline Projects). Our concern is that important projects will get delayed. Markey/Warren’s concern is that already-approved projects, like Atlantic Bridge, won’t get a vote to reconsider for the same reason…
Read More “Mass. Senators Ask FERC to Reverse Atlantic Bridge Certification”

Although antis have tried to block major pipeline upgrades in the northeast/New England region, Spectra Energy continues to have success with building and completing its projects. Recently Spectra’s Algonquin Incremental Market (AIM) project, which built ~37 miles of new pipeline and half a dozen new compressor stations along the Alogonquin Gas Transmission pipeline, went into service (see New England Gets Small Increase in NatGas Pipeline Capacity). AIM is now delivering an extra 342 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of Marcellus/Utica natural gas to New England. AIM is part of a larger plan from Spectra called the Access Northeast project to combine several pipeline systems to send gas into New England and all the way to Nova Scotia, Canada. Access Northeast has been frustrated by regulators in New England (see Spectra Energy Puts Access Northeast Pipe to New England on Hold). However, another important piece of the larger puzzle has now fallen into place. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has just approved another piece of Access Northeast, called Atlantic Bridge. FERC previously granted the project a favorable Environmental Assessment last May (see Critical Project for Canadian LNG Exports Gets Favorable FERC Review). With certificates in hand, Spectra Energy can now start the bulldozers and begin construction. What does Atlantic Bridge entail? It beefs up capacity along the Algonquin and Spectra’s Maritimes & Northeast pipeline to carry more Marcellus/Utica gas into New England and now all the way to Nova Scotia…
Read More “FERC Approves Atlantic Bridge Project for New England/Canada”

Spectra Energy’s Access Northeast Pipeline project, a roughly $3 billion project to connect four existing pipeline systems (with enhancements): Texas Eastern, Algonquin Gas Transmission, Iroquois and Maritimes & Northeast, has suffered a string of setbacks this year. Spectra’s original strategy was to bring natural gas to New England by cutting deals with electric companies who need the gas to produce cheaper electricity at their natgas-fired power generation plants. However, the green environmental Nazis came out in force against the plan, (sadly) aided and abetted by Spectra’s competitors, and those plans are now in ruins with three states blocking any such plans (see MA Supreme Court Ruling Endangers New England Gas Pipelines; NH Regulators Veto Access Northeast Pipeline Contract; and CT Latest New England State to Give Up on NatGas Cooperation). Last month we reported that Spectra is not yet ready to give up. They’re changing strategies. Spectra says there are still some electric power generators on board (those that don’t need regulatory approval), and to make up the difference, Spectra is now targeting local natural gas distribution companies (LDCs) as potential customers (see Spectra Energy Changes Strategy re New England Pipeline). Spectra needs customers to sign on the dotted line–committing to long-term contracts–before they can raise the funding and build the project. This change in strategy means the project now won’t go online until 2019, at the earliest. In keeping with the revised schedule, Spectra, via their Algonquin Gas Transmission subsidiary, has just filed an update with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to say things are officially now on pause while they “solidify the commercial foundation” (i.e. find new customers). How long will it be on pause?…
Read More “Spectra Energy Puts Access Northeast Pipe to New England on Hold”