Developers of two pipeline projects itching to supply Southeast markets with natural gas are working to get construction underway as soon as next month, according to filings this week.
The projects, proposed separately by Williams Cos. and Mountain Valley Pipeline, involve laying new pipe in the same stretches of southern Virginia and North Carolina. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has signed off on both pipelines — and this week, Williams asked for permission to move ahead with construction, while Mountain Valley Pipeline filed a construction timeline.
The projects initially raised concerns about redundancy, with Williams saying its project could be modified to handle all planned volumes of natural gas. But FERC has said both developers demonstrated need, as electricity demand across the U.S. is anticipated to increase. FERC Chair Laura Swett has emphasized the need for oil and gas, calling pipelines the “backbone” of America at Energy Dialogues’ North American Gas Forum in December.
FERC green-lighted Williams’ Southeast Supply Enhancement project in January. The project is an expansion of the existing Transco natural gas transmission system.
