Nick Snow
Washington Editor
WASHINGTON, DC, Mar. 11 -- Texas Gas Transmission LLC's proposed Fayetteville-Greenville expansion project would have limited adverse environmental impacts if recommended mitigation measures are used, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's staff concluded in a final environmental impact statement on Mar. 8.
The Owensville, Ky., company's proposal involves construction of two 36-in. natural gas pipeline laterals in central Arkansas and central Mississippi, according to company information.
It said the Fayetteville lateral would extend 167 miles from Conway County, Ark., to Texas Gas's main line in Coahama County, Miss., and would have 1.1 bcfd of capacity. The 750 MMcfd Greenville lateral would start near the company's compressor station near Greenville, Miss., and end at a Gulf South Pipeline Co. LP line near Koskiusko, Miss.
FERC said the proposed project also would include a 10,560 hp compressor station near Koskiusko and related aboveground facilities along both laterals. It said the Fayetteville lateral would use existing rights of way for about 90.5 miles, or 54%, of its length.
Texas Gas indicated that it will use recommended plans and procedures covering erosion control, water body crossings, storm water pollution controls, and other measures to control the project's environmental impact, according to FERC. "Horizontal directional drill construction methods would be used to cross many sensitive resources," it said.
FERC said commissioners would consider the final EIS and staff recommendations before issuing the final permit for the project. Texas Gas said this could occur during second-quarter 2008 after which it would soon begin construction. Service is projected to begin in the third quarter on the Fayetteville lateral segment from Grandview to Latona, Ark., and during first-quarter 2009 on the Greenville lateral and the segment from Latona to Lula, Miss.
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