Duke Energy, Iroquois Pipeline and Williams Cos. have teamed upto build a $240 million gas pipeline, called the LighthousePipeline, to extend under Long Island Sound to southernConnecticut. The pipeline would transport U.S. and Canadian naturalgas from Williams’ Transco pipeline, Duke’s Algonquin and TexasEastern pipelines and the Iroquois pipeline to new generationprojects in Southern Connecticut. It’s also expected to facilitatedevelopment of other power generation projects on Long Island.

“This innovative partnership gives Transco a new opportunity toserve the thriving New England market,” said Cuba Wadlington Jr.,Transco’s senior vice president and general manager. “The creationof Lighthouse complements the recently announced Cross BayPipeline, which has been designed to provide up to 700,000 Dth/d tothe New York City market. Together, we believe these projectsexhibit our unwavering commitment to satisfy natural gas demand inthis market area.”

The Lighthouse project would involve construction of 35 miles of16-inch diameter pipe in southern Long Island and 60 miles of24-inch diameter pipe in southern Connecticut. The Long Islandsegment would extend from a connection with the recently announcedCross Bay Pipeline at Long Beach, NY, to a connection with Iroquoisat South Commack, NY. The Connecticut segment would originate at aninterconnection with Iroquois near Milford and extend to theMillstone area near New London. The pipeline is expected to have aninitial capacity of 350,000 Dth/d.

“Lighthouse builds on a strategy of market-based projects thatcan take advantage of multiple upstream options,” said Bobby Evans,president of Duke’s Texas Eastern and Algonquin systems. “Thisbrings increased efficiencies to the interstate grid coupled withthe strength of the New York market center for liquidity.”

The sponsors said Lighthouse is expected to be in service in2000 or 2001, depending on market response. Duke, Williams andIroquois each plan to own one-third of the new pipeline. A 60-dayopen season will be held this summer to determine the level ofmarket interest.

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