NiSource’s Columbia Gas Transmission will spend roughly $1.5 billion over the next 5 years on system upgrades. These expenditures are covered by a customer settlement approved by the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Under the settlement, filed Sept. 4, 2012, CGT will invest $300 million/year from 2013 through 2017 on system improvements. The company will replace about 1,000 miles of existing interstate transmission pipelines, primary bare steel, with 400 miles to be completed in the first 5 years. It also will replace and modernize more than 50 compressor units.
In addition to these projects, CGT plans to increase system reliability by uprating pressures and looping systems where necessary and expanding its inline inspection abilities. It also plans to spend $100 million for ongoing maintenance.
Work will take place across CGT’s system, including Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Columbia projects that its entire infrastructure investment plan could involve an investment of $4 billion over an extended (10-15 year) period.
Contact Christopher E. Smith at [email protected].