Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline (M&NE) has received acertificate for the last segment of an 800-mile system designed tocarry up to 530 MMcf/d of natural gas from Sable Island offshoreNova Scotia into New England and the U.S. Northeast.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission put a final stamp ofapproval on Phase II of the project, a 200 mile stretch of 24-inchand 30-inch pipe paralleling the Maine coast from the southern endof the state to Woodland on the Canadian border last Friday, votingnotationally to adopt the final environmental impact statement(FEIS). That statement reversed an earlier draft environmentalimpact statement (DEIS) which had called for a “NorthernAlternate,” a 40 mile route change through Richmond and Pittstown,ME. However, with further study and new information the Commissiondetermined that alternate, promoted as environmentally superiorwould, in fact, “disturb more area, require more tree clearing andblasting (and subsequent disposal of rock), would cross morestreams and waterfowl and wading bird habitat, and would be within50 feet of more residences.”

An in-service date is projected for November, 1999. The pipelinehad received preliminary approval covering all but theenvironmental aspects in July, 1997 (See NGI, Sept. 29, 1997)Combined with the Portland Natural Gas Transmission System (PNGTS),with which M&NE will share some of its pipe, the new supplyroute could bring as much as 650 MMcf/d to northeastern markets. PNGTS is expected to start deliveries this November with gas fromwestern Canada delivered through a connection with TransCanadaPipeLines.

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