Iroquois Seeks Federal Approval For Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion

By Andrew Gorosko

Iroquois Gas Transmission System, LP, has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to expand its natural gas pipeline system, including the construction of a new 1.6-mile-long buried pipeline loop near its existing gas pipeline in Sandy Hook.

Iroquois is seeking a “certificate of public convenience and necessity” from FERC to build the expansion project. Iroquois is asking that FERC act on its application by March 31, 2008, Iroquois spokeswoman Ruth Parkins said October 3.

The overall gas system expansion project, which would be constructed in three phases, would allow Iroquois to receive an additional 200 million cubic feet per day of natural gas at its interconnection with the Algonquin natural gas pipeline in Brookfield. The additional natural gas would be transported by the Iroquois pipeline to the KeySpan natural gas system at South Commack on Long Island, NY.

As part of the first phase of the expansion project, Iroquois would construct a buried high-pressure 1.6-mile-long pipeline loop, which is three feet in diameter, in Sandy Hook. Similar pipeline loops would be built in Upstate New York, in the towns of Wright and Boonville.

Those three pipeline loops would be in operation by November 1, 2008, according to Iroquois.

In a second construction phase, Iroquois would install two new 10,300-horsepower gas compressor units in Milford, which would be operating by January 1, 2009.

In a third phase, Iroquois would install a second 10,300-horsepower gas compressor, with cooling facilities, at its existing gas compressor station in Brookfield. That equipment would enter service by November 1, 2009.

Sandy Hook Pipeline

Last April, Iroquois representatives explained to a group of Sandy Hook residents the firm’s proposal to construct an additional section of natural gas pipeline near Lower Paugussett State Forest in Sandy Hook, as part of its plan to increase the volume of natural gas that it transports to Long Island, N.Y.

The Iroquois Pipeline Operating Company held the informational session to describe its pipeline expansion proposal and answer questions from the public. Several people who live near the route of the proposed pipeline construction attended the session, as did several public officials.

The new pipeline section would be installed parallel to an existing buried 11.3-mile-long, two-foot-diameter pipeline section, which Iroquois constructed in Newtown between 1989 and 1991.

Some of the homes now standing near the area proposed for the new pipeline were constructed after the original Iroquois pipeline was installed.

The proposed pipeline section would be linked to the existing pipeline in a “looping” system designed to increase the volume of natural gas that the pipeline system can transport.

The KeySpan Gas East Corporation natural gas distribution company wants to receive an additional 200 million cubic feet of natural gas daily at Long Island. The proposed Iroquois pipeline loop in Sandy Hook would be one of the components required for such increased gas distribution. The natural gas carried by the interstate Iroquois pipeline is produced in western Canada.

The 1.6-mile-long pipeline section is proposed to extend along the company’s right-of-way for its existing pipeline. The new pipeline would extend from the area near Canterbury Lane to the area near Stone Bridge Trail.

Homes at the end of Canterbury Lane would be the nearest houses to the new looped pipeline. The two closest homes to the pipeline loop would be on Canterbury Lane, at distances of approximately 115 feet and 128 feet from the new pipeline, according to Iroquois.

The new looped pipeline would be built 25 feet away from the main pipeline and would run parallel to the main pipeline.

About eight landowners abut Iroquois’ proposed right-of-way for the new pipeline.

The new pipeline section would pass through the general vicinity of Canterbury Lane, Somerset Lane, Kale Davis Road, Leopard Drive, Osborne Hill Road, Crabapple Lane, Paugussett Road, Forest View Road, and Stone Bridge Trail.

Robert Perless, Iroquois’ project manager, has said that Long Island is experiencing rapid growth, especially in Suffolk County, so KeySpan wants Iroquois to transport additional natural gas to Long Island. The Iroquois pipeline crosses beneath Long Island Sound.

Mr Perless has said that constructing an additional pipeline section near the state forest in Sandy Hook would have the least impact on residential properties in the general area. Construction work could start in late spring/early summer of 2008, if the required approvals are received by March 31, according to Ms Parkins.

Blasting, which would be needed to create a trench in rock ledge for pipeline installation, would be preceded by preblast inspections at homes that fall within a certain distance of the planned blasting. The results of such preblast inspections are compared to conditions following the blasting to determine whether the blasting caused any property damage which would be covered by the pipeline installer’s insurance.

The project would include bringing workers and equipment to the site, preparing the right-of-way for construction, trenching, the installation of new pipe, and pipe testing. Site restoration work would follow the construction project.

Information on the pipeline expansion project is posted on the company’s website, www.iroquois.com.