Maritimes &amp Northeast Pipeline (M&ampNE) 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, votingnotationally July 31 to adopt the final environmental impactstatement (FEIS). That statement reversed an earlier draftenvironmental impact statement (DEIS) which had called for a”Northern Alternate,” a 40 mile route change through Richmond andPittstown, ME. However, with further study and new information theCommission determined that alternate, promoted as environmentallysuperior would, in fact, “disturb more area, require more treeclearing and blasting (and subsequent disposal of rock), wouldcross more streams and waterfowl and wading bird habitat, and wouldbe within 50 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&ampNE 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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