Planners for 33-Mile Natural Gas Line Seek Approval
Posted on: Thursday, 15 May 2008, 12:00 CDT
By Sean Adkins, York Daily Record, Pa.
May 15--A Houston, Texas-based pipeline operator has contacted area landowners seeking permission to survey their properties for a proposed natural-gas line that would stretch from Lancaster to southern York County.
Texas Eastern Transmission's 33-mile pipeline would start in Lancaster County and run west under the Susquehanna River into York County, said Susan D. Waller, a Spectra Energy spokeswoman. Texas Eastern Transmission is a subsidiary of Spectra Energy.
Once in York County, the pipeline would turn and head southeast, ultimately connecting to a Transco-owned compressor station in Peach Bottom Township, Waller said.
Should the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approve the project, the pipeline would funnel natural gas that would originate in the Rocky Mountain region.
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, Sempra Pipelines & Storage and ConocoPhilips are developing a 1,679-mile pipeline, dubbed the Rockies Express, that is intended to stretch from Colorado to Ohio.
"In our mind, it's a brand-new source of natural gas and gives the Northeast region more options and improves the reliability of the gas," Waller said.
Spectra Energy owns an existing pipeline that runs from Ohio to Lancaster County that would transport the natural gas.
The company's proposed project for York County would channel that domestically mined natural gas to an existing local station, allowing Spectra's customers, such as Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, access to the fuel,
Waller said.
Columbia Gas serves nearly 100,000 customers in York County.
But, before Spectra Energy would seek approval from FERC to build its line by November 2010, the company must determine a primary and alternative route for its project.
Earlier this month, the company sent letters to 270 landowners in York and Lancaster counties whose properties include existing rights-of-way used by other utilities for structures such as power lines.
"We are looking for the pipeline to run along those existing rights-of-way, along electric corridors," Waller said.
The company is seeking permission from landowners to survey the rights-of-way and determine if those areas could be part of the pipeline's route, she said.
The surveyors will look at cultural, environmental and civil issues associated with laying the line, Waller said.
Craig A. Myers of Hellam Township said he's concerned that he might eventually have difficulty selling his farm because he must disclose to potential buyers that his property includes a power line and, maybe, a natural gas pipeline.
"That's going to devalue my property," he said. "I want to speak someone in person before I give permission for someone to come on my property. I want to ask how I'm going to be compensated for the devaluation of my property."
Waller said she couldn't say what impact her company's proposed 24- or 30-inch-diameter pipeline might have on Myers' property. Rather, Spectra's right-of-way agents would have the authority to work out compensation with individual landowners.
"I recognize the need (of a pipeline) for a growing population," Myers said. "I'm not opposed to (the project). I'm just opposed to it on my property if I'm not being compensated."
sadkins@ydr.com;771-2047
THE COMPANY
--- What it does: Houston, Texas-based Spectra Energy focuses on the gathering, processing transmission, storage and distribution of natural gas.
--- Its customers: Spectra Energy's core customer base includes distribution companies, marketers and traders, natural gas producers, gas-fired electric generators and residential, commercial and industrial customers.
--- Its size: Spectra's natural gas operations include more than 18,000 miles of transmission pipeline and about 265 billion cubic feet of storage capacity in the U.S. and Canada.
--- Number of employees: 7,300
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Source: York Daily Record
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