FERC Authorizes Algonquin Pipeline Retrofits

(Issued March 3, 2015)

FULL RULING

On February 28, 2014, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin) filed an application in Docket No. CP14-96-000 pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Part 157 of the Commission’s regulations for authorization to construct and operate its Algonquin Incremental Market Project (AIM Project) in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Algonquin also requests NGA section 7(b) authorization to abandon a meter and regulating station in New London County, Connecticut, which will be replaced as part of the project, as well as to remove and replace certain aboveground facilities.

Algonquin states that the project will enable it to provide 342,000 dekatherms (Dth) per day of firm transportation service from its existing recipient points in Ramapo, New York, to various city gate delivery points in Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

For the reasons stated below, we (FERC) will grant the requested authorizations, subject to certain conditions.

I. Background and Proposals

Algonquin is a limited liability company organized and existing under Delaware law and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Spectra Energy Partners, LP. Algonquin is a natural gas company as defined in the NGA, engaged in the transportation of natural 1 15 U.S.C. § 717f(c) (2012). 2 18 C.F.R. Pt. 157 (2014).Docket No. CP14-96-000 – 2 – gas in interstate commerce subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction. Algonquin’s natural gas pipeline system extends from points near Lambertville and Hanover, New Jersey, through the states of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, to points near the Boston area. A.

Project Proposal

Algonquin proposes to construct, install, operate, and maintain approximately 37.4 miles of pipeline and related facilities in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Specifically, Algonquin proposes the following activities:

• replace approximately 20.1 miles, in three segments, of 26-inch-diameter pipeline with 42-inch-diameter pipeline in Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties, New York, and Fairfield County, Connecticut;

• install approximately 2.0 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline looping in Middlesex and Hartford Counties, Connecticut (Line 36A Loop Extension);

• replace approximately 9.1 miles of 6-inch-diameter pipeline with 16-inchdiameter pipeline on the E-1 System Lateral in New London County, Connecticut (E-1 System Lateral Take-up and Relay);

• install approximately 1.3 miles of 12-inch-diameter pipeline looping in New London County, Connecticut (E-1 System Lateral Loop); and

• install approximately 4.1 miles of 16-inch-diameter pipeline and approximately 0.8 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline off its existing I-4 System Lateral in Norfolk and Suffolk Counties, Massachusetts (West Roxbury Lateral).  In addition, Algonquin proposes to add 81,620 horsepower (hp) of compression at six compressor stations in New York, Connecticut, and Rhode Island with the following modifications:

• install two new 15,900 hp natural gas-fired compressor units, restage one existing compressor unit, install gas cooling for the new compressor units, and modify station piping at the Stony Point Compressor Station in Rockland County, New York;

• install one new 10,320 hp natural gas-fired compressor unit, restage one existing compressor unit, replace the compressor body of one existing compressor unit, install gas cooling for the new compressor unit, and modify station piping at the Southeast Compressor Station in Putnam County, New York;Docket No. CP14-96-000 – 3 -

• restage one existing compressor unit at the Oxford Compressor Station in New Haven County, Connecticut; • install one new 15,900 hp natural gas-fired compressor unit, install gas cooling for the new compressor unit and two existing turbine-driven compressor units, and modify station piping at the Cromwell Compressor Station in Middlesex County, Connecticut;

• install one new 7,700 hp natural gas-fired compressor unit, restage two existing compressor units, install gas cooling for the new compressor unit and two existing compressor units, and modify station piping at the Chaplin Compressor Station in Windham County, Connecticut; and

• install one new 15,900 hp natural gas-fired compressor unit, restage one existing compressor unit, install gas cooling for the new compressor unit, and modify station piping at the Burrillville Compressor Station in Providence County, Rhode Island.  (FERC)