FERC on Monday granted Northern Natural Gas Co. authorization to construct and operate its Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Project, proposed for Isanti, Sherburne and Rice counties, MN.

According to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s order [CP16-472], the expansion will provide an additional 76,000 Dth/d of winter peak-day firm service for residential, commercial and industrial customers.

The project will involve the construction of 4.8 miles of branch line loop extensions and an additional 15,900 hp at the existing Faribault Compressor Station.

The Northern Lights project is expected to cost around $44 million.

Northern Natural Gas operates a 14,700-mile pipeline system that extends from Southwest Texas to Michigan’s upper peninsula.

Monday’s FERC order comes as the Commission tries to settle as much business as possible prior to Commissioner Norman Bay’s departure at the end of the week. Bay’s unexpected decision to step down will leave the five-seat FERC with only two active commissioners and thus lacking a quorum.