Multiple recent pipeline and compressor station projects have been announced and are now under review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The projects are located in Southside, Southeast Virginia and far Western Virginia and are related to expansion of existing pipelines.
The proposed routes for the projects travel through areas with existing pollution, inadequate infrastructure, failing sewer storage and often, strains on existing water resources. The increased gas capacity traveling through the pipe would mean increased greenhouse gas emissions in areas already suffering from significant climate change impacts.
Virginia Reliability Project & Commonwealth Energy Connector
Learn more
About the project and related concerns
About the region’s culture and geography
In the News
Project information
Virginia Reliability Project
Owner: TC Energy
Intent: Replace 48 miles of 12” pipe with 24” steel pipes south of Petersburg into Hampton Roads and upgrade Emporia compressor station with electric turbines
Needs claim: To bring an additional 135 million cubic feet per day of natural gas capacity to central and southern Virginia for purported 500K new homes
Virginia Scope of Work
- Emporia – compressor station upgrade
- 48-mile pipeline upgrade from 12” to 24” steel
- Doubling horsepower for Petersburg Compressor Station
- “Commonwealth Energy Connector” Project is also included in this project, FERC Docket CP22-502-000
Timeline from TC Energy:
- 12/2021: File FERC pre-application
- Fall 2022: File FERC application
- Winter 2023: FERC certification
- Winter/Spring 2024 – Construction
- November 2025 – In service
The latest
FERC reviewed comments submitted on the Final Environmental Impact Statement and granted the project a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity . You can continue to submit comments in opposition to the project via FERC docket CP22-503 for Virginia Reliability Project and CP22-502 for Commonwealth Energy Connector. The project still needs multiple state and federal agency permits, including an air permit for the Petersburg Compressor Station. Appalachian Voices will release new info and a petition when the permit is under review in 2024.
Source: Virginia Reliability Project
Southside Reliability Enhancement
Williams’ Southside Reliability Enhancement Project is a proposed expansion of the company’s existing Transco gas pipeline which would transport more gas from Virginia into North Carolina. The project includes the construction of six miles of pipeline and a new, electric compressor station in Mecklenburg County, Va. A portion of the project includes the Commonwealth Energy Connector Project, which is under review by FERC in docket CP22-502.
Project information
Owner: Williams Transco
Intent: 423,400 dekatherms per day, new Compressor station 168 in Mecklenburg County, Va., (all electric), Modifications to three existing M&R stations in North Carolina, additional compression to existing compressor facilities in Pittsylvania, Va., and Davidson County N.C., proposing flow reversal modification in Davidson County.
In the News
- SPGlobal (Dec. 2021)
- Chatham Star Tribune (June 9, 2022)
- Charlotte Business Journal (June 12, 2022)
The latest: FERC granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the project on July 31, 2023 and for construction to commence once all applicable state and federal permits are obtained. Updates may be followed in Docket No. CP22-461 at www.ferc.gov.
Source: Williams Transco
Southeast Supply Enhancement Project
Part of Transco’s broader East Coast expansions, the Southeast Supply Enhancement Project will include pipeline looping adjacent to the existing Transco corridor and modifications to 9 facilities.
Owner: Williams Transco
Scope
- Virginia Scope of Work: A total of 26.3 miles of pipeline adjacent to the existing Transco corridor and additional compressor units located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia (Station 165).
- North Carolina Scope of Work: A total of 28.3 miles of pipeline looping adjacent to existing Transco corridors located in Rockingham, Guilford, Forsyth, and Davidson Counties and compression upgrades in Cleveland, Iredell, and Davidson Counties at Stations 145, 150, 155.
- South Carolina Scope of Work: Compressor Station reversal in Anderson County (Station 135).
- Georgia Scope of Work: Compressor Station reversals and regulators in Walton and Henry Counties (Stations 120 & 125).
- Alabama Scope of Work: Compressor Station reversal and modifications in Coosa County (Station 105)
Timeline (per company)
- Winter 2023: Initial Public Outreach
- Spring 2024: Pre-File with FERC
- Fall 2024: File FERC 7(c) application
- Fall 2026: Target Construction Start
- End of 2027: Target In-Service Date
Source: Williams Transco
The latest
- Surveying for the project began February 1, 2024. Updates may be followed in Docket PF24-2-000 at www.ferc.gov.
- Read the news coverage
Virginia Electrification Project
The Virginia Electrification Project is intended for upgrades to Central Virginia compressor stations, converting to electric turbines.
Project information
Owner: TC Energy
Timeline, per company:
- Sept 2021: Filed FERC application
- Q1 2023: Begin construction
- Nov 2023: Project In-service
The latest:
FERC granted a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity on April 18, 2023 and for construction to commence once all applicable state and federal permits are obtained.
Source: TC Energy
East Tennessee Natural Gas System Alignment Program
The East Tennessee Natural Gas System Alignment Program is an expansion of existing line and new compressor stations planned for Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. The project includes:
Scope
Tennessee:
- Approximately 16.5 miles of new 24-inch-diameter pipeline next to an existing 16-inch-diameter pipeline in Knox and Sevier Counties and a new ‘electrically driven’ natural gas compressor station on open land along ETNG’s existing pipeline right-of-way in Jefferson County.
Virginia
- Replacement of 6.5 miles of existing 8-inch pipe with new 24-inch pipe within ETNG’s existing pipeline right-of-way in Washington County
North Carolina
- A new ‘electrically driven’ natural gas compressor station on open land along ETNG’s existing pipeline right-of-way in Rockingham County
The latest:
FERC recently released an Environmental Assessment on the project, but has not yet granted a permit. Submit a comment or follow for updates on the project’s docket #CP23-131 at www.ferc.gov.
East Tennessee Natural Gas System Alignment Program
