Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co. LLC (Transco) received a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for its 423-MMcfd Southside Reliability Enhancement Project from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Transco proposes to build and operate one new 33,000-hp compressor station and modify two existing compressor stations and three existing meter stations in North Carolina and Virginia.
The project would provide expanded year-round firm transportation capacity from Transco’s Compressor Station 165 and the Pine Needle Storage site along the mainline pipeline system to delivery points in North Carolina.
FERC staff concluded that construction and operation of the project would result in limited adverse environmental impacts, most of which would be temporary (during construction) or short-term (returning to background levels within 3 years following construction). Some permanent impacts, though not significant according to FERC, would occur from project operation. Project effects would be reduced to less than significant levels by proper mitigation, minimization, and avoidance measures and adherence to FERC recommendations, except for climate change impacts that were not characterized in this EIS as significant or insignificant.
The draft EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of:
- Installation of a new compressor station (Compressor Station 168) which includes one new 33,000-hp electric motor-driven compressor unit, and installation of new mainline valves on South Virginia Lateral A-Line and B-Line at the new station in Mecklenburg County, Va.
- Addition of one 16,000-hp electric motor-driven compressor unit at existing Compressor Station 166 in Pittsylvania County, Va.
- Installation of piping modifications to allow for flow reversal at existing Compressor Station 155 in Davidson County, NC.
- Replacement of one meter run to increase delivery volumes at the existing Ahoskie Meter Station in Hertford County, NC.
- Installation of new equipment to increase delivery volumes at the existing Pleasant Hill Meter Station in Northampton County, NC.
- Upgrade meter and controls and debottleneck piping at the existing Iredell Meter Station in Iredell County, NC.
FERC commissioners will take into consideration staff’s recommendations when they make a decision on the project. The draft EIS comment period closes Dec. 12, 2022.
