Feds Approve Spectra's AIM Project

“we will grant the requested authorizations, subject to certain conditions,” officials at the Federal Energy Regulation Commission said in the order issued March 3.

Algonquin’s AIM project would:

• expand approximately 37.4 miles of pipeline and related facilities in New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts
• 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

The staff at FERC said:

• In addition to the proposed AIM Project facilities, Algonquin’s application identifies other replacement facilities that it states constitute a separate project that it plans to construct under the automatic authorization provided by section 2.55(b) of the Commission’s regulations for qualifying replacement facilities.[1] Algonquin refers to this project as the Algonquin Gas Transmission Project (AGT Project).[2] Algonquin states that the AGT Project will include the removal of four obsolete 2,700 hp compressor units at the Stony Point Compressor Station that will be replaced by a new 15,900 hp compressor unit that is included in Algonquin’s proposed AIM Project. However, Algonquin states that the AGT Project is a separate project for the purpose of meeting U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission standards and applicable state emission standards.
• We are additionally satisfied that Algonquin has taken appropriate steps to minimize adverse impacts on landowners.
• As for project alternatives, our environmental review considered the potential for energy conservation and renewable energy sources to serve as alternatives to Algonquin’s AIM Project, and concluded as discussed below that they do not presently serve as practical alternatives to the project.
• The final EIS concludes that if the project is constructed and operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, the project will result in some adverse environmental impacts. Most of these impacts described in the final EIS, however, will be reduced to less-than-significant levels with the implementation of Algonquin’s proposed mitigation and staff’s recommendations
• Prior to construction of the Stony Point to Yorktown Take-up and Relay segment, Algonquin shall file with the Secretary its final alternating current/direct current interference study associated with the West Point Transmission Project, documentation of all consultations with West Point Partners, and any additional mitigation measures to address safety-related issues

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