By Philip Sean Curran, Staff Writer
A company that runs an interstate natural gas pipeline is proposing adding 13 miles of pipe through parts of three New Jersey counties, including a roughly 1 ½ mile stretch in Princeton.
The project, requiring the laying of a 42-inch gas main, has the potential to impact 29 residential properties from the Coventry Farms property, located just east of the Great Road, to Cherry Valley Road.
The company, Williams, based in Tulsa, Okla., still needs permission from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Williams says it needs to increase the capacity of its Transco pipeline, which runs from Texas to New York City. In particular, the company wants to install 28 miles worth of “pipe segments or loops” in parts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as the Keystone state has experienced a surge in natural gas production. In all, pipe-laying projects are planned for Luzeren and Monroe counties in Pennsylvania and Somerset, Hunterdon and Mercer counties in New Jersey.
”We’re still in the early stages of developing this,” said Williams spokesman Chris Stockton on Wednesday. The roughly $600 million project will require expanding easements from impacted property owners.
”We’re not introducing new infrastructure where we don’t currently have infrastructure,” Mr. Stockton said.
Construction, including compressor station upgrades, is scheduled to start in fall 2014, according to the company.
Company and municipal officials met Jan. 23 to discuss the project, although the town has no say in the matter, said municipal engineer Robert V. Kiser on Wednesday.
A tentative meeting with impacted property owners is being eyed for Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the municipal building. Later in April, Williams will have public open houses bringing in its professionals to answer questions.

