Multiple 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.
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Virginia Reliability Project
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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
- 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: FERC is reviewing comments submitted on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and will soon release a finalized version. You can continue to submit comments in opposition to the project. Sign our petition to FERC via FERC docket CP22-503 for Virginia Reliability Project and CP22-502 for Commonwealth Energy Connector. The project still needs multiple state and federal agency permits.
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)
The latest: FERC issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement for the project in Docket No. CP22-461. A decision to commence has not yet been issued by FERC.
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
The latest: FERC approved construction to commence on April 18, 2023.
You can follow this project and review bi-weekly construction reports at www.ferc.gov with Docket No. CP21-498.
Source: TC Energy[/caption
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
The latest:
FERC is preparing an Environmental Assessment on the project. A new comment period will open after the EA is released. Intervene or submit a comment into CP23-131 at www.ferc.gov.
East Tennessee Natural Gas System Alignment Program
