The national pipeline expansion frenzy continued last week with Tennessee Gas Pipeline announcing a certificate application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to add new pipeline capacity in New England at its connection with the Maritimes & Northeast pipeline, which imports Canadian gas produced offshore Nova Scotia at the Sable Offshore Energy Project.

“By 2005, natural gas is expected to generate 45% of the electrical power in New England, compared with only 16% in 1998,” said Stephen C. Beasley, president of Tennessee Gas Pipeline. “Tennessee is pleased to provide additional, reliable service by substantially increasing our capacity from Dracut with this expansion. The use of our existing corridors allows Tennessee to minimize the environmental impact while still delivering an economic project.”

Tennessee said it is responding to 20 new gas-fired power generations projects that are in various stages of development in New England. The $35 million Dracut Expansion is scheduled to be available for service in the fall of 2002.

The project will replace 12 miles of existing 16-inch natural gas line with a 24-inch line from Dracut to Burlington, MA, using existing rights-of-way. It will increase takeaway capacity from Dracut by an additional 200,000 Dth/d to a total of over 600,000 Dth/d.

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