Millenium Pipeline Commences 2008 Construction Program

The Millennium Pipeline Company has commenced its 2008 construction program to complete the 182-mile, 30-inch diameter natural gas pipeline across New York’s Southern Tier and the lower Hudson Valley.

More than 90% of the pipeline will be installed within or adjacent to existing pipeline rights-of-way. The Millennium pipeline project is the centerpiece of a $1 billion investment in new energy infrastructure that includes new facilities by Empire Pipeline, Algonquin Gas Transmission and the Iroquois Gas Transmission systems.

Millennium Pipeline began construction activities in 2007 with the installation of approximately 12 miles of pipeline, mostly in the Orange and Rockland counties of New York.

The majority of the mainline pipeline installation work is expected to be performed in 2008 to meet the project’s November 2008 targeted in-service date. Some land restoration and environmental monitoring work will extend into 2009 and beyond.

Dick Leehr, the Millenium Pipeline Company’s president, said: “After years of extensive planning, careful preparation, and detailed co-ordination, we are very excited to be launching our major construction efforts to complete this critical energy project in New York. We are on schedule to bring much-needed natural gas supplies to serve the region for the upcoming winter season.”