GAS PIPELINE ALLOWED TO CROSS FEDERAL PARK

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG), Norfolk, has received federal clearance to lay part of a 121 mile gas pipeline through Virginia's Colonial Natural Historic Park. VNG obtained the green light when President Bush signed special legislation. The bill allows the Interior secretary and the National Park Service to issue a permit to VNG for the 16 in., 225 MMcfd pipeline from parent CNG Transmission Corp.'s system in northern Virginia to Williamsburg, Va.

Dec. 24, 1990

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG), Norfolk, has received federal clearance to lay part of a 121 mile gas pipeline through Virginia's Colonial Natural Historic Park.

VNG obtained the green light when President Bush signed special legislation. The bill allows the Interior secretary and the National Park Service to issue a permit to VNG for the 16 in., 225 MMcfd pipeline from parent CNG Transmission Corp.'s system in northern Virginia to Williamsburg, Va.

A bill was needed because Interior lacks authority to grant rights of way for pipelines through Park Service land. The pipeline will cross 600 ft of park land along an existing utility corridor. VNG will use directional drilling to install the line so all construction will be outside the park.

VNG officials said they expect to begin construction in April 1991, with start-up planned by yearend 1991.

The pipeline will feed gas fired power plants in eastern and Central Virginia. Customers include the 660,000 kw Doswell plant being built by a unit of Mitsubishi Corp. in Hanover County and two 210,000 kw combined cycle generating turbines operated by Virginia Power in Chesterfield County.