Pipelines

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    Atlantic Sunrise Supporters Far Outnumber Antis at PA DEP Hearings

    Yesterday saw the first two (of four) public hearings being hosted this week by the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) to elicit comments on the proposed $3 billion, 198-mile Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline, an expansion of Williams’ Transco Pipeline system. One of yesterday’s meetings was held in Lancaster (Lancaster County), and the other in Tunkhannock (Wyoming County). The striking thing about both meetings is that they were not the usual circus freak shows by anti-fossil fuelers we’ve come to expect. Indeed, in both venues, an overwhelming majority of those speaking were there to speak IN FAVOR of the projects. Oh, there were detractors, to be sure. Nonsensical statements made by people like Malinda Clatterbuck, one of the locals in Lancaster who is attempting to turn Lancaster into another North Dakota fiasco. Clatterbuck said “angst over the pipeline has caused premature births, divorces and heart attacks” among people she knows. Complete rubbish. Anyone can say (or do) anything at these hearings. Mark Clatterbuck (Malinda’s husband) also spoke. Mark was a protester in North Dakota against the Dakota Access Pipeline. He warned (threatened?) DEP representatives of a coming “community uprising” against the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline. Even though there was some opposition like the clattering Clatterbucks at last night’s hearings, the big news is that their opposition was drowned out by supporters of the pipeline project. And that’s good news for all Pennsylvanians…
    Read More “Atlantic Sunrise Supporters Far Outnumber Antis at PA DEP Hearings”

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    NatGas Grudge Match II: Marcellus vs Permian

    Competition is good. Last week we told you about the coming competition between the Marcellus/Utica Shale play in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, and the Haynesville Shale play in Louisiana (see NatGas Grudge Match: Marcellus vs Haynesville). The Haynesville was not so long ago dead–no new drilling. But that is no longer the case. The Haynesville is gearing up to compete against the Marcellus/Utica (or perhaps it’s the other way around?) to sell gas into the Midwest and along the Gulf Coast. The Marcellus/Utica is getting a flurry of new pipelines to make sales to other regions possible. But the Haynesville is not the only new competition coming for Marcellus/Utica. The Permian Basin shale play, located in Texas, is coming on super strong. Why? As we point out in today’s companion story about EIA’s June drilling report, drillers in the Permian are drilling new oil wells like crazy. Thing is, when you drill a new oil well, you don’t ONLY get oil–you get other hydrocarbons too, like natural gas and gas liquids (propane, ethane, butane, etc.). Because the Permian is drilling so many new oil wells, it’s also causing a flood of new natural gas into the market. The Permian is now the #2 natural gas producing shale play in the U.S., behind the Marcellus. What does this clash of the titans mean? According to one analyst, “Everyone can’t grow and everyone can’t win”…
    Read More “NatGas Grudge Match II: Marcellus vs Permian”

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    Sabal Trail Pipeline Begins Service Connecting M-U Gas to Florida

    In April MDN provided an update on the Sabal Train Transmission pipeline project (see Marcellus/Utica Gas Soon Heading to Florida Penninsula via Sabal Trail). Spectra Energy (and partners NextEra Energy and Duke Energy) are building Sabal Trail, a $3.2 billion, 515-mile interstate natural gas pipeline in Florida, Georgia and Alabama to deliver Marcellus gas to the southeast. The project has been underway for the past three+ years. Sabal Trail will connect to Williams’ Hillabee Expansion Project, which is a new pipeline spur built off the huge Transco pipeline system (see Williams Building Alabama Pipeline with Marcellus Connection). Williams is reversing a portion of the Transco to bring Marcellus gas south, much of it to feed natgas-fired electric plants. The fantastic news is that last week, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) authorized a partial startup of the Sabal Trail project and the Hillabee Expansion that will feed it…
    Read More “Sabal Trail Pipeline Begins Service Connecting M-U Gas to Florida”

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    Radicals File Lawsuit Against WV DEP for Approving MV Pipeline

    A group of profoundly radical “environmental” organizations filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit last Friday against the West Virginia Dept. of Environmental Protection–for doing their job. Sierra Club, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, Indian Creek Watershed Association, Appalachian Voices and Chesapeake Climate Action Network has sued the DEP because the department had the audacity to conduct a very thorough review, and then issue a stream and water-crossing permit (demanded under federal law) for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). MVP is a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA. The project, which filed an official application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in October 2015, is being built by EQT, NextEra Energy and several other partners. This is now SOP–standard operating procedure–for Big Green groups with deep pockets. Sue and keep suing in an attempt to slow and eventually kill off any project that remotely involves fossil fuels. Yes, they are RADICAL, they are EXTREME, waaaaaay outside the mainstream of American society. And they MUST BE STOPPED. When will someone launch weekly lawsuits against these Big Green organizations? Here’s the latest maddening development…
    Read More “Radicals File Lawsuit Against WV DEP for Approving MV Pipeline”

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    Reminder: Public Hearings This Week for Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline

    Just a quick reminder that the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection is conducting four public hearings, beginning today and running through Wednesday, for the Williams Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline project. If there is any way you can make it to one of the hearings to show your support for the project, do it! Below is the DEP announcement sharing the locations for the hearings. Today are two hearings, both from 6-9p, one in Tunkhannock and the other in Lancaster. Tomorrow the hearing is in Bloomsburg, and Wednesday in Annville. Come out to support this critical pipeline project…
    Read More “Reminder: Public Hearings This Week for Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline”

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    UTOPIA NGL Pipeline Under Construction, Should be Online Jan 2018

    In January 2016, Kinder Morgan (KM) committed to building the UTOPIA (Utica To Ontario Pipeline Access) pipeline, a 12-inch ethane pipeline that will run ~240 miles across the state of Ohio where it will connect with another pipeline and (eventually) flow ethane all the way to a cracker plant in Canada (see Kinder Morgan Ready to Move Forward with UTOPIA East Pipeline). However, all was not utopia in UTOPIA–some Ohio landowners got a bumble bee in their bonnet and refused to deal, so KM took them to court (see UTOPIA Pipeline Sues Holdout OH Landowners Using Eminent Domain and UTOPIA Pipeline Still Battling OH Landowners with Eminent Domain). UTOPIA hit a brick wall in Wood County when a judge blocked the use of eminent domain in that county, saying the project does not benefit the public good (see Wood County OH Judge Blocks Eminent Domain for UTOPIA Pipeline). No worries. UTOPIA signed lease agreements with more reasonable landowners and altered the route to avoid the ones who don’t want it (UTOPIA East Pipe Re-Routes Around OH Antis, Drops Eminent Domain). Hey, some people don’t want a truckload of money, who are we to argue? Here’s an update: At a recent industry conference in Ohio, Allen Fore, KM’s vice president of public affairs, said UTOPIA is currently under construction and is due to go online in January 2018…
    Read More “UTOPIA NGL Pipeline Under Construction, Should be Online Jan 2018”

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    NEXUS Pipe Revved Like a Race Car, Waiting for FERC Green Flag

    NEXUS is a $2 billion, 255-mile interstate natural gas pipeline that will run from Ohio through Michigan and eventually to the Dawn Hub in Ontario, Canada. Its purpose is to move Utica and Marcellus Shale gas from an over-saturated market in the northeast to markets in the Midwest and Canada. It is a joint venture between DTE Energy and Spectra Energy. Last December, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued a positive final Environmental Impact Statement for the project (see FERC Approves NEXUS Pipeline, Project on Track for 2017). The remaining obstacle for NEXUS is to obtain a certificate of public convenience and necessity from FERC, to begin construction. NEXUS had hoped to have that approval in hand on Feb. 3rd, when FERC issued a flurry of such certificates. However, NEXUS didn’t get one (see In FERC’s Game of Musical Chairs, NEXUS Pipeline Left Standing). That led some to ask, Is there still a market need for the NEXUS Pipeline project? (see Has the Clock Run Out for NEXUS Pipeline?). According to NEXUS president James Grech, you can lay those doubts and fears to rest. At the Utica Capital Midstream Seminar held earlier this week, Grech told audience members that the project is a “race car sitting there revved and all ready to go,” just waiting for a full quorum at FERC to green light (or rather wave the green flag) so they can begin construction. Grech indicates the project is ready to go, and WILL go, as soon as FERC approves it. That is, if a lawsuit by the CORNballs doesn’t derail it…
    Read More “NEXUS Pipe Revved Like a Race Car, Waiting for FERC Green Flag”

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    NG Advantage Virtual Pipe “Done Deal” in Broome County, Antis Stymied

    MDN recently told you about a proposed “virtual pipeline” (i.e. trucking system) coming to MDN’s neighborhood. NG Advantage wants to build a new compressor station and tap into the Millennium Pipeline where it crosses the Chenango River near Port Dickinson, a suburb of Binghamton, in Broome County (see NG Advantage Virtual Pipeline May be Coming to MDN’s Backyard). NG already has three businesses lined up to buy CNG (compressed natural gas) from the project. So-called “virtual pipelines” compress natural gas and load it onto tanker trucks, and then distribute that gas to businesses that are not fortunate enough to be located near a natgas pipeline. It’s a cool concept that bypasses anti-drilling objections to pipelines. However, virtual pipelines have one negative side-effect for local residents: lots of truck traffic. Fenton’s Planning Board recently approved the project and although we thought it wasn’t quite yet a done deal, apparently it is a done deal, as a small group of antis learned earlier this week at a Town of Fenton meeting. Town of Fenton Planning Board approval is all that’s required. The Fenton Town Board has no say in the matter. It’s “a done deal” according to a town official speaking at the meeting. MDN friend Vic Furman attended the meeting and filed a report. Vic says he faced down the antis following the meeting with some hard truth: the reason they now have to live with this virtual pipeline and the traffic it will generate…is because they objected to an in-the-ground pipeline (the Constitution). Vic said they grudgingly agreed that he’s right…
    Read More “NG Advantage Virtual Pipe “Done Deal” in Broome County, Antis Stymied”

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    Homeless Shelter, Drug Program, Others Get PennEast Pipe Largesse

    PennEast Pipeline has just released a list of 11 non-profit organizations receiving grants of “up to” $5,000 from the pipeline company. It’s not the first time (see our PennEast grant stories here). In fact, by our count, this is the eighth round of community grants given by PennEast. So far the company has handed out more than $600,000 to local organizations, making a huge difference in the communities where the pipeline is due to run. In this latest round: a homeless shelter, an anti-drug abuse campaign, and a number of first responders (police and fire departments). Here’s a rundown on the latest batch of groups to benefit from this important pipeline project… Read More “Homeless Shelter, Drug Program, Others Get PennEast Pipe Largesse”

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    Franklin County, VA Landowners Use Sheriff to Eject MVP Surveyors

    In May, MDN noted a disturbing trend in the Commonwealth of Virginia of entangling law enforcement in the non-criminal issue of surveying for a federally-authorized pipeline project (see VA Landowner Uses State Police to Eject Pipeline Surveyors). A small minority of landowners continues to use (we’d call it abuse) local law enforcement in their zeal to oppose the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA. Under Virginia State law, surveyors may enter a property without the property owner’s express permission to survey, as long as they have sent a prior notice to the landowner with target dates of when they will be on location. Some landowners, knowing the surveyors are coming, call in the cops to pressure the surveyors to leave. And the cops play along. Not a good situation. What typically happens is that the surveyors will leave and subsequently file for a court order of eminent domain, forcing the property owner to later allow the surveyors on their property. It’s a SURVEY for goodness sake! It’s a couple of guys (or girls) walking across the property, using a transit to figure out if/where the best route would go. Landowners are far better off working WITH surveyors to convey their wishes–“I’d prefer you’d leave that area alone”–rather than being obstructionists. But such is the uncivil world we now live in. We have another abuse of cops to eject surveyors, this one involves landowners in Franklin County, VA who called the Franklin County Sheriff’s office to order the surveyors off their property. No worries, the surveyors will be back in a few days with a court order in hand… Read More “Franklin County, VA Landowners Use Sheriff to Eject MVP Surveyors”

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    Rutgers Study Says Williams Pipeline to NYC Econ Boost of $327M

    Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement Project map – click for larger version

    In May 2016, Williams’ Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company (Transco) pre-filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a project called the Northeast Supply Enhancement project (see Williams Pre-Files with FERC to Expand Transco Pipeline in PA, NY). The new project will increase pipeline capacity and flows heading into northeastern markets. In particular, Transco wants to provide more natural gas to utility giant National Grid beginning with the 2019-2020 heating season. National Grid operates in New York City, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. At the time of pre-filing, Williams ran an open season to lock up commitments for the Northeast Supply Enhancement project (see Williams Announces Open Season for Northeast Supply Enhancement). The open season worked. National Grid committed to all 400,000 dekatherms (400 million cubic feet per day) of extra gas the project will provide. In March 2017, Williams filed a full, official application for the project (see Williams Files with FERC to Expand Transco Pipeline to NYC, NE). No doubt anticipating stiff opposition from lunatic anti-fossil fuelers, Williams commissioned an independent, third party study of the project with Rutgers University. Yesterday the Rutgers researchers released their comprehensive study (full copy below) that finds the Transco Northeast Supply Enhancement project, which will cost $1 billion to build, will generate $327 million in additional economic activity (GDP) in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. In addition, the project will directly and indirectly generate 3,186 jobs during the one-year construction period, resulting in an estimated $234 million in labor income. This is great news for PA, NJ and NY residents…
    Read More “Rutgers Study Says Williams Pipeline to NYC Econ Boost of $327M”

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    DOPEs Get Ready to Fight 13 Mile Pipeline Near Cincinnati

    As MDN previously reported, Duke Energy needs to replace an aging pipeline, built in the 1950s, near Cincinnati, OH–or some people in Cincy will have to go without natural gas (see Hearings Scheduled for Proposed Duke Pipeline in Cincinnati). Duke has proposed a 13-mile, 20-inch pipeline along two potential routes. Both routes are opposed by antis, including a group calling themselves NOPE–Neighbors Opposing Pipeline Extension. We call them DOPEs–Dummies Opposing Pipeline Extensions. Will the DOPErs volunteer to shut off the natural gas to their homes and businesses if the pipeline doesn’t get built? Not on your life! Two public hearings have now been scheduled, one for June 15 and the other July 12. Ahead of those hearings, the Ohio Power Siting Board recently released a 71-page report outlining the potential impacts of the pipeline (full copy below). In the report, staffers conclude that Duke Energy’s proposed Alternate Route represents the minimum adverse environmental impact (the best route) when compared to the Preferred Route. The staff recommend that a number of conditions become part of any certificate issued by the Board for the proposed pipeline. DOPErs are busy reading the report and gearing up to fight the pipeline at the two upcoming public hearings… Read More “DOPEs Get Ready to Fight 13 Mile Pipeline Near Cincinnati”

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    Antis Ask Army Corps of Engrs to Yank Rover Pipeline Blanket Approval

    Several radical environmental groups, including the Sierra Club, Michigan Residents Against the ET Rover Pipeline, and the Ohio-based nutters at FreshWater Accountability Project filed an official request with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to pull the Corps’ issuance of a “blanket” approval for the Rover Pipeline to use underground horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and instead require Rover to get a permit for each of the 45 bodies of water they intend to drill under with the technique. Which would, of course, bring the project to a halt–the intended outcome by the radicals. The groups are attempting to capitalize on several leaks experienced by Rover using HDD, including a 2 million gallon drilling mud spill in April that continues to generate headlines today (see OH EPA Says Diesel Fuel Found in Rover 2M Gal Drilling Mud Spill). So far the Corps is keeping mum, only acknowledging receipt of the request. Here’s a bit of news you won’t get in mainstream media: Rover continues to use HDD actively, every day, even now. Yes, HDD activity in a few locations (under waterways) has been halted, but HDD activity continues in 23 other locations. In addition to the news about the request by anti groups to the Corps, we’ve pulled the latest weekly construction report from Rover, embedded below… Read More “Antis Ask Army Corps of Engrs to Yank Rover Pipeline Blanket Approval”

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    As Deadline for Mountain Valley Pipe Final EIS Nears, Antis Squirm

    Local anti-drilling reporters in Virginia are breathlessly hyping the fact that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is set to issue a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on June 23 for the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), a $3.5 billion, 301-mile pipeline that will run from Wetzel County, WV to the Transco Pipeline in Pittsylvania County, VA. Antis are only too happy to provide a load of bull for local reporters to use in articles to scare the general public. For example, when talking about the pipeline, it’s always the “deeply controversial” Mountain Valley Pipeline. Of course it’s only “deeply controversial” to a few hundred people. Everyone else couldn’t care less. A bunch of pipeline opponents, who don’t like how the system works, want to change the rules. Funny, isn’t it, when the other side can’t win in the realm of public opinion, or in the courts, they resort to demanding the rules get changed–to favor them. Antis now want FERC to do something it has never done: Issue a revised or supplemental draft EIS, instead of a final EIS–which would restart a public comment period and seriously delay the project. Which is the point. We expect FERC will ignore this latest transparent effort to stop the project…
    Read More “As Deadline for Mountain Valley Pipe Final EIS Nears, Antis Squirm”

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    Is Virginia Governor Race a ‘Referendum on Pipelines’?

    Will Virginia in the south become what New York is in the north: a block to Marcellus/Utica gas leaving the region? Perhaps. At least, that’s what radical environmentalists are hoping is what happens. On June 13 Virginia will hold a primary. We recently wrote about its importance (see Fate of 2 Important Pipelines May Rest in Virginia Governor Race). Former Congressman Tom Perriello (far-left Democrat) says he’ll block both the $5 billion Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the $3.5 billion Mountain Valley Pipeline if he wins the primary and the general election. He may well win it. Antis are positioning this primary and the election as “a referendum on pipelines.” The brutal truth is that most people in the Old Dominion could care less about pipelines. It is only a small cadre of gentry-class horse farmers and radical anti-fossil fuelers who oppose the pipeline projects. But if you read local news, you wouldn’t know that. We’d like to say, “Hey, it doesn’t matter who wins, the law is the law and a governor can’t stop a federal pipeline project.” But then, we’re from New York where that is exactly what has happened! At least so far. Both the Constitution Pipeline (Williams) and the Northern Access Pipeline (National Fuel Gas Company) have been blocked by Democrat Gov. Andrew Cuomo for political reasons. Both pipelines have taken the state’s Dept. of Environmental Conservation to court, where it’s quite possible, even likely, the state will lose. However, nothing is 100% certain–and because of Cuomo’s actions, both pipelines are now years delayed. Our concern is that a major delay may happen in Virginia too, if the state elects someone like Perriello…
    Read More “Is Virginia Governor Race a ‘Referendum on Pipelines’?”

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    NFG’s Northern Access Pipeline Wins Eminent Domain Case…in NY!

    Talk about mixed signals. In April, MDN brought you the sad (and angering) news that once again Gov. Andrew Cuomo has caved to political pressure and instructed the Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to deny stream crossing permits for National Fuel Gas Company’s (NFG) Northern Access Pipeline project (see Cuomo’s Corrupt NY DEC Blocks NFG Northern Access Pipeline Permit). Not long after, NFG filed a lawsuit against the DEC for their arbitrary, capricious and politically-motivated denial of the permits (see NFG Sues NY DEC in Fed Court re Northern Access Pipe Rejection). Meanwhile, another series of court cases has been working its way through NY’s court system–eminent domain cases against a few holdout landowners who refuse to allow the Northern Access Pipeline across their properties. Some 97% of all landowners along the proposed route have signed easements with NFG, but there’s always a few holdouts. Last Thursday one of those holdouts lost in New York Supreme Court in Cattaragus County. (Don’t be confused, in NY, “Supreme Court” is just one level up from county court. The state’s highest court is called the Court of Appeals.) Camp Duffield in Cattaraugus County lost its court case against NFG, and consequently is now being forced, by court order, to submit to the pipeline–when and if it gets built. And that’s the conundrum. The courts obviously recognize NFG’s right, under a FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) order to build the pipeline. But the Cuomo-corrupted DEC does not… Read More “NFG’s Northern Access Pipeline Wins Eminent Domain Case…in NY!”