Three recent pipeline and compressor station projects have been announced and are now under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The projects are located in Southside, Southeast Virginia and far Western Virginia and are related to expansion of existing pipelines.
The proposed routes for the projects travel through areas with existing pollution, inadequate infrastructure, failing sewer storage and often, strains on existing water resources. The increased gas capacity traveling through the pipe would mean increased greenhouse gas emissions in areas already suffering from significant climate change impacts.
Want to learn more?
Contact Jessica Sims, jessica@appvoices.org, 804.356.1228
Virginia Reliability Project
Learn more
About the project and related concerns
About the region’s culture and geography
In the News
Project information
Virginia Reliability Project
Owner: TC Energy
Intent: Replace 48 miles of 12” pipe with 24” steel pipes south of Petersburg into Hampton Roads and upgrade Emporia compressor station with electric turbines
Needs claim: To bring an additional 135 million cubic feet per day of natural gas capacity to central and southern Virginia for purported 500K new homes
Scope: Virginia Scope of Work
- Emporia – compressor station upgrade
- 48-mile pipeline upgrade from 12” to 24” steel
Status: Status: Under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Comment period on the Environmental Impact Statement, has an open public comment now through November 25th. Submit a comment directly to the FERC docket, or use this petition from partner organization Chesapeake Climate Action Network.
Timeline from TC Energy:
- 12/2021: File FERC pre-application
- Fall 2022: File FERC application
- Winter 2023: FERC certification
- Winter/Spring 2024 – Construction
- November 2025 – In service
How to weigh in: Via FERC docket CP22-503-000. This comment guide is available.
Source: Virginia Reliability Project
Southside Reliability Enhancement
Williams’ Southside Reliability Enhancement Project is a proposed expansion of the company’s existing Transco gas pipeline which would transport more gas from Virginia into North Carolina. The project includes the construction of six miles of pipeline and a new, electric compressor station in Mecklenburg County, Va. A portion of the project includes the Commonwealth Energy Connector Project, which is under review by FERC in docket CP22-502-000.
Owner: Williams Transco
Intent: 423,400 dekatherms per day, new Compressor station 168 in Mecklenburg County, Va., (all electric), Modifications to three existing M&R stations in North Carolina, additional compression to existing compressor facilities in Pittsylvania, Va., and Davidson County N.C., proposing flow reversal modification in Davidson County.
In the News
- SPGlobal (Dec. 2021)
- Chatham Star Tribune (June 9, 2022)
- Charlotte Business Journal (June 12, 2022)
Source: Williams Transco
Virginia Electrification Project
The Virginia Electrification Project is intended for upgrades to Central Virginia compressor stations, converting to electric turbines.
Project information
Owner: TC Energy
Timeline, per company:
- Sept 2021: Filed FERC application
- Q1 2023: Begin construction
- Nov 2023: Project In-service
Source: TC Energy
East Tennessee Natural Gas System Alignment Program
The East Tennessee Natural Gas System Alignment Program is an expansion of existing line and new compressor stations planned for Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. The project includes:
Tennessee:
- Approximately 16.5 miles of new 24-inch-diameter pipeline next to an existing 16-inch-diameter pipeline in Knox and Sevier Counties and a new ‘electrically driven’ natural gas compressor station on open land along ETNG’s existing pipeline right-of-way in Jefferson County.
Virginia
- Replacement of 6.5 miles of existing 8-inch pipe with new 24-inch pipe within ETNG’s existing pipeline right-of-way in Washington County
North Carolina
- A new ‘electrically driven’ natural gas compressor station on open land along ETNG’s existing pipeline right-of-way in Rockingham County
How to engage
- Submit a scoping comment to FERC before November 18th, Docket# PF22-8-000
- Scoping Comment session Nov 16th, 6pm EST (info here)
- Call in number: 888-790-2037
- Participant passcode: 8945002
East Tennessee Natural Gas System Alignment Program
