FERC approves two West Coast gas pipelines

FERC Apr. 24 approved two natural gas pipeline proposals aimed at West Coast energy markets. Northwest Pipeline Corp. received a certificate to construct and operate $75.2 million natural gas pipeline facilities in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties, Wash. In a separate action, Kern River Gas Transmission Co. won approval to build a $28.9 million lateral pipeline northeast of Los Angeles. Both firms are units of Williams Cos. Inc., Tulsa.

April 25, 2002

By OGJ Editors

WASHINGTON, DC, Apr. 25 --The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Apr. 24 approved two natural gas pipeline proposals by units of Tulsa-based Williams Cos. Inc. aimed at West Coast energy markets.
A lack of gas pipeline capacity to the state was a contributing factor to California's gas and power price spikes of the past 2 years (OGJ, Feb. 12, 2001, p. 70).

Northwest Pipeline Corp. received a certificate to construct and operate $75.2 million natural gas pipeline facilities in Thurston and Grays Harbor counties, Wash. Much of the gas from the project will fuel a 650 Mw electric power plant under construction in Grays Harbor, FERC said.
In a separate action, Kern River Gas Transmission Co. won approval to build a $28.9 million lateral pipeline northeast of Los Angeles. The line will transport gas to a 720 MW electric power plant under construction near Victorville, Calif.
FERC officials said the environmental impact from construction the two lines "would be minimal."