Northeast Supply Enhancement

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About Williams

Williams is a 100 year old company and a major operator of gas pipeline infrastructure. The company operates three major interstate pipeline systems, including the 10,000-mile Transco interstate natural gas pipeline system. This massive system delivers approximately 10% of the nation’s natural gas, including providing about 1/3 of the natural gas consumed in Pennsylvania, as well as about half of the natural gas consumed in New Jersey and New York City.

Project Overview

As New York City’s demand for natural gas increases, the associated energy infrastructure becomes even more critical. The Northeast Supply Enhancement project will expand critical natural gas pipeline infrastructure in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York to help meet the region’s growing demand for natural gas. With natural gas’ relatively lower-carbon emissions (compared to higher-carbon fuel sources), this project has the potential to displace up to 15.6 million tons of CO2– which is like removing 3 million passenger cars from roadways – annually.

The Northeast SupplyEnhancement project will increase Transco pipeline deliveries to National Grid -- the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S. -- by 400 million cubic feet per day (enough natural gas to serve the daily needs of about 2.3 million homes)for the 2019/2020 winter heating season.

Once complete, the project willhelp provide affordable, clean and reliable energy to northeastern consumers, including the 1.8 million customers served by National Grid in Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and Long Island.

Thanks to domestic natural gas, New York City is currently experiencing its cleanest air in over 50 years. As the City continues to phase out the use of heavy fuel oils, its use of natural gas is projected to continue to grow. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has set a plan in motion that calls for an increase of natural gas usage to meet the City’s climate change goals. In April 2015 he released OneNYC, the four-year update to PlaNYC, which set sweeping goals to curb city emissions 80 percent by 2050.

Regulatory Process

Before Williams can modify or construct any new pipeline facilities, the company must obtain a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), in addition to various other permits. The project filed their 7(c) application with FERC on March 27, 2017 (Docket No. CP17-101). FERC will prepare an environmental evaluation using information included in the Certificate Application. If FERC determines that the project is environmentally acceptable – and is satisfied the project is in the public interest – it will issue an Order granting a Certificate.

Project Scope

The project consists of a total of 35.5 total miles of pipeline, installed as loops parallel to the existing Transco pipeline system, in addition to a new compressor station in Somerset County, N.J. and other existing compressor facility modifications.

Pipeline Facilities

  • 10-mile, 42-inch “D” loop located in Lancaster County, Pa.
  • Modifications to existing compressor station 200 in Chester County, Pa.(adding a 21,902hp electric motor driven compressor)
  • 32,000 horsepower greenfield compressor station in Somerset County, N.J. (two turbine-driven compressor units; Station 206)
  • 3.4-mile 26-inch “B” loop of the Lower New York Bay Lateral located in Middlesex County, N.J. from Station 207 to the Morgan M&R station (onshore)
  • 23.5-mile 26-inch loop of the Lower New York Bay Lateral from the Morgan M&R station in Middlesex County to the Rockaway Transfer Point (offshore)

Schedule

  • April 2016 – Offshore surveys began
  • May 2016 – FERC pre-filing
  • May / June 2016 – Onshore civil, biological, cultural surveys began
  • Fall 2016 – Filed draft RR 1-12
  • Spring 2017 -- Submitted 7(c) application to FERC
  • Summer 2018 -- Proposed construction start
  • Winter 2019/2020 – Proposed in-service

Fueling a Renewable Future

Thanks to natural gas, the United States has reduced its carbon emissions more than virtually any other nation in the world, including Europe. And thanks to its affordability, natural gas has become the fuel of choice for electric power generation, businesses, manufacturers and consumers.

What isn’t as well known is that natural gas compliments low-carbon energy solutions by providing the flexibility and affordability needed to support a growing renewables component in power generation. Natural gas currently produces one-third of all electric power generation. A reliable supply of natural gas allows utilities to embrace renewables without raising costs or jeopardizing reliability. Renewable energy industry leaders, such as American Wind Energy Association, have pointed to natural gas’s flexibility and ability to provide capacity which helps make the use of renewables a reality. / “Natural gas and renewables complement each othervery nicely … I think it’s important to recognize thatthese industries, although we do compete, areworking together to address some of the mostpressing energy needs in the country.”
—(Rhone Resch, CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association,January 2013)