FERC has issued a favorable environmental assessment (EA) for RH energytrans LLC’s Risberg Line Project, which would move 55,000 Dth/d of natural gas from northwest Pennsylvania to northeast Ohio to meet increasing demand.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff concluded “that approval of the proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the natural and human environment.”

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission were the cooperating agencies in preparing the EA. Now that it’s completed, FERC’s environmental review schedule puts the project on track for a federal authorization deadline of Sept. 27. The Commission is accepting public comment on the EA until July 30 [CP18-6-000].

The project would take gas from an interconnect with Tennessee Gas Pipeline in Crawford County, PA, to help meet peak day supply deficits and new industrial demand in Ashtabula County, OH. Utility Dominion Energy Ohio entered into a binding precedent agreement as the foundation shipper for 40,000 Dth/d.

At the time RH energytrans filed for a certificate of public convenience and necessity late last year to construct the 60-mile pipeline, North Atlantic Iron Corp. expressed interest in contracting for 15,000 Dth/d of firm transportation. The company plans to build a pig iron plant in Ashtabula on Lake Erie.

RH energytrans wants to recertify and use 31.6 miles of 8-inch and 12-inch diameter gas pipeline in Crawford County and Erie County, PA. From Erie County, the company would build about 28 miles of 12-inch diameter pipe in a new right-of-way to traverse the state line and terminate at a new delivery point that interconnects with Dominion’s distribution system in North Kingsville, OH.

The project would also include installing 728 hp of compression, launcher/receiver facilities, mainline valves, a meter station and other equipment.