FERC staff will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for Columbia Pipeline Group Inc.’s proposed Mountaineer XPress natural gas pipeline project.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said staff would prepare the EIS and ultimately use it as part of the process for deciding whether the project [PF15-31] meets the threshold for public convenience and necessity. The agency is accepting public comments through Dec. 17, with four public scoping meetings scheduled next month in West Virginia.

The 167-mile Mountaineer XPress would provide an additional 2.7 Bcf/d of firm transportation service from the Marcellus and Utica shales to markets on the Columbia Gas Transmission (TCO) system, including western West Virginia, the TCO Pool and other points. The project includes 24- and 36-inch diameter pipeline, three compressor stations, three regulator stations and modifications at three existing compressor stations.

Columbia has entered into firm contracts for more than 88% of the pipeline’s capacity, according to FERC documents. Meanwhile, the company said it hopes to begin construction in fall 2017, with a targeted in-service date of Oct. 31, 2018. FERC approved Columbia’s pre-filing for the project, which is expected to cost $2.03 billion, last September (see Daily GPI, Sept. 16).

According to FERC, the scoping meetings are scheduled for 6 p.m. on Dec. 7 in New Martinsville; Dec. 8 in West Union; Dec. 9 in Ripley; and Dec. 10 in South Charleston. For one hour preceding each of the meetings, Columbia representatives plan to be available with maps depicting the project’s route and to answer questions.