Pipeline Officials Propose Increased Capacity in Federal Filing

Next week, communities potentially affected by Kinder Morgan’s proposed natural gas pipeline expansion project in a number of Massachusetts and New Hampshire communities will have more solid information on the path of the project.

On Friday, Nov. 20, the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, a Kinder Morgan Company, will be filing a certificate application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Northeast Energy Direct natural gas pipeline project.

The proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project through a number of northern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire communities, including Peabody, has not met with much positive feedback from residents and local officials.

In an email sent to Peabody officials, Tennessee Gas Pipeline officials noted that they will be filing for a larger capacity for the pipeline than initially proposed. Officials state that “increased interest on the NED Supply portion of the project warrants a request to certificate 1.2 billion cubic feet per day of capacity, an increase from the 1 billion cubic feet per day as submitted in earlier pre-filing documents.”

However, officials noted the project “will incorporate several modifications to the route on both the mainline and several delivery laterals resulting from continued dialogue with local community stakeholders.”

State Attorney General Maura Healey has urged federal regulators to undertake a rigorous review of the impacts of the proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline before allowing the project to move forward.

In comments filed Oct. 16 with FERC, Healey renewed her call for a comprehensive evaluation of Kinder Morgan’s proposed Northeast Energy Direct interstate gas pipeline before allowing it to progress.

“This proposed pipeline would have a significant impact on local residents and the energy future of Massachusetts,” Healey said. “FERC should fully evaluate the need for this project in conjunction with other pipeline proposals for the region. My office will continue to play an active role in proceedings for this pipeline moving forward.”