Methane gas buildout in Virginia
Multiple pipeline, methane gas power plant and compressor station projects have been announced and are now under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the State Corporation Commission. Some are already under construction after receiving approvals. The projects are located across the state, in Central Virginia, Southside, Southeast Virginia and far Western Virginia.
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Chesterfield Energy Reliability Center
Dominion Energy has proposed a 944 megawatt gas-fired “peaker” power plant for Chesterfield County, Virginia. The project would be located at the site of the existing Chesterfield Power Station and would cost $1.5 billion to build. Community members are mobilizing to fight this project. Read more on the proposed Chesterfield project.
Southeast Supply Enhancement Project
Project information:
Part of Transco’s broader East Coast expansions, the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project will include pipeline looping adjacent to the existing Transco corridor and modifications to 9 facilities.
Owner: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company (Williams Cos.)
Scope:
- Virginia scope of work: A total of 26.3 miles of pipeline adjacent to the existing Transco corridor and additional compressor units located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (Station 165).
- North Carolina scope of work: A total of 28.3 miles of pipeline looping adjacent to existing Transco corridors located in Rockingham, Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson counties and compression upgrades in Cleveland, Iredell, and Davidson Counties at Stations 145, 150, 155.
- South Carolina scope of work: Compressor Station reversal in Anderson County (Station 135).
- Georgia scope of work: Compressor Station reversals and regulators in Walton and Henry Counties (Stations 120 & 125).
- Alabama scope of work: Compressor Station reversal and modifications in Coosa County (Station 105)
Timeline for project development from Transco:
- Winter 2023: Initial Public Outreach
- Spring 2024: Pre-File with FERC
- Fall 2024: File FERC 7(c) application
- Fall 2026: Target Construction Start
- End of 2027: Target In-Service Date
The latest on SSEP
FERC has announced it will publish an Environmental Assessment, instead of an Environmental Impact Statement, for the project in November 2025. A public comment period and potential hearings will follow, with a decision on the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in February 2026. State level permit applications, including Clean Water Act Section 401 permits in Virginia and North Carolina are expected to be submitted in Spring 2025. Permits from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and authorization from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service will also be required.Surveying for the project began February 1, 2024. Updates may be followed in Docket PF24-2-000 Follow FERC proceedings in Docket# CP25-10-000 at ferc.gov
Connect with the coalition fighting the project at nossep.org
Virginia Reliability Project & Commonwealth Energy Connector
Project Information
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
Virginia scope of Work:
- Emporia – compressor station upgrade
- 48-mile pipeline upgrade from 12” to 24” steel
- Doubling horsepower for Petersburg Compressor Station
- “Commonwealth Energy Connector” Project is also included in this project, FERC Docket CP22-502-000
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
The latest:
The Virginia Reliability Project received FERC and state level approvals and began construction in 2024. After a pause during the winter 2024, the pipeline and its related Commonwealth Energy Connector resumed construction in 2025. No additional permit will be required for the gas compressor station expansion in Petersburg, Virginia.
More about the Virginia Reliability Project
About the project and related concerns
About the region’s culture and geography
In the News
Southside Reliability Enhancement Project
Williams’ Southside Reliability Enhancement Project is an 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.
Project Information
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)
The latest: FERC granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project on July 31, 2023 and for construction to commence once all applicable state and federal permits are obtained. Updates may be followed in Docket No. CP22-461 at www.ferc.gov.
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:
SCOPE
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
The Latest
FERC granted the project a CPCN on March 21, 2024 and the pipeline is currently under construction.