Tuscarora Gas Transmission proposes $60 million expansion

April 12, 2001
Tuscarora Gas Transmission Co. Thursday applied with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a $60 million pipeline expansion to meet the growing needs of gas customers in northern Nevada. Tuscarora is a pipeline subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources, Reno, Nev., and TC PipeLines LP of Houston.


By the OGJ Online Staff

HOUSTON, Apr. 12 -- Tuscarora Gas Transmission Co. Thursday applied with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for a $60 million pipeline expansion to meet the growing needs of gas customers in northern Nevada.

Tuscarora, a Nevada general partnership, is a pipeline subsidiary of Sierra Pacific Resources, Reno, Nev., and TC PipeLines LP of Houston.

The Tuscarora pipeline was constructed in 1995 by a partnership of Sierra Pacific Resources and TransCanada PipeLines Ltd. The 229-mile pipeline stretches from Malin, Ore., through northern California to Sierra Pacific Power Co.'s Tracy Power Station near Reno, Nev.

The proposed expansion consists of three compressor stations and a 14-mile pipeline extension from the Tracy Power Plant near Reno to Wadsworth, Nev., and would include an interconnect with the Paiute Pipeline.

If constructed, capacity on Tuscarora's pipeline system would increase to 220 MMcfd from 125 MMcfd.

Duke Energy Corp. proposes to construct a 540-Mw plant near Wadsworth, Nev., and Morgan Stanley Dean Witter is constructing a 360-Mw Naniwa Energy plant near Tracy, Nev.

In addition, the expanded capacity will supplement the growing gas distribution needs of Sierra Pacific Power Co. and the Southwest Gas Corp., who collectively distribute gas to all of northern Nevada and portions of northern California.

Subject to regulatory approval, Tuscarora plans to begin construction in April 2002 with completion slated for late 2002.