Company planning pipeline expansion

Wednesday meeting set to answer residents questions

By:Roger Alvarado
   The proposed expansion of an already existing natural gas pipeline system that passes through the township will be the topic of discussion during a three-hour public forum set to take place 6-9 p.m. Wednesday.
   The Williams Companies of Tulsa, Okla., which provides much of the natural gas consumed in the state and New York and Pennsylvania, says it wants to expand its Transco pipeline system by adding 3.5 miles of pipe by 2007.
   Company spokesman Chris Stockton says that if the expansion takes place the pipeline would expand to 42 inches in diameter and have the capacity to transport an additional 100,000 dekatherms — enough gas to service 440,000 additional houses. The Transco line currently transports 8 percent of the gas consumed in the country — half of which goes through New Jersey, Mr. Stockton said.
   "We have received requests from our customers that there be an increase in the amount of gas that we deliver to the region," Mr. Stockton said.
   Consequently, the company has requested that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission initiate a pre-filing environmental review of the proposed expansion of its pipeline system.
   The public forum, which will take place in the Municipal Complex, will collect input from citizens, governmental entities and other interested parties in order to best identify and address any issues relevant to the proposal.
   Mr. Stockton says the company anticipates requiring the addition of 3.5 miles of pipe in Somerset County.
   The facility design, location and other details have not yet been finalized, Mr. Stockton said.
   Transco’s existing pipeline, and the identified study area, is located along a route running generally in a southerly direction from South Branch Road near Case Road in Branchburg Township to Highway 601 near the 3M entrance in Montgomery, Mr. Stockton said.
   The proposal is currently in the planning phase, Mr. Stockton said.
   "What we want to do is give people the opportunity to look at maps that we’ve put together and comment on the certain areas in terms of whether they’re good or not good for the particular work that we want to take place," Mr. Stockton said.
   Representatives from Williams, including engineers, will be on hand as will representatives from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Mr. Stockton said.
   Mr. Stockton says his company is working to address the needs of each community affected.
   "We want to identify any areas of special concern and work around them now before getting to the next stage," Mr. Stockton said. "By starting early we have a lot of flexibility in moving forward."