Nick Snow
OGJ Washington Editor
WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 11 -- Construction of a proposed natural gas pipeline from southwestern Wyoming to southern Oregon could create some adverse environmental impacts that could be mitigated, the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said on Jan. 8.
The $3 billion Ruby Pipeline Project would extend 675 miles from an interconnect with existing pipelines near Opal, Wyo., across northern Utah and Nevada to interconnects east of Malin, Ore., according to its sponsor, Ruby Pipeline LLC. It would include four compressor stations with 160,500 hp of total capacity in addition to the 42-in. line with an initial capacity of 1.5 bcfd of gas, the El Paso Corp. subsidiary said at its web site.
The project’s adverse environmental impacts could be reduced to less than significant levels with implementation of the sponsor’s proposed mitigation measures, additional mitigation measures which Ruby is discussing with other agencies, and additional FERC recommendations, the final EIS indicated.
FERC said its final EIS decision was based on factors including more than 44% of the project using existing right-of-way or land nearby, Ruby’s commitment to design and operate the pipeline in accordance with US Department of Transportation regulations, and Ruby’s plans to implement site-specific or activity-specific plans, procedures, and agreements to protect natural resources, avoid or limit environmental impacts, and promote restoration of disturbed areas.
The project’s sponsor said that construction could begin later this year after all permits are obtained, with an estimated March 2011 in-service date.
Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].