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Possible pipeline expansion nearing federal review

Jul 29, 2014 5:26 am
Brian Nearing is reporting in the Times Union a Texas-based energy company expects to file plans this fall with federal regulators on expanding a natural gas pipeline that runs through upstate New York. The expansion will allow the pipeline to transport hydrofracked gas from Pennsylvania into northern Massachusetts and Boston. The line passes through upstate, including Columbia, Rensselaer and Schoharie counties, and continues into Massachusetts near North Adams. The Houston-based Kinder Morgan's proposal should be filed in September with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The company wants to begin construction in Jan. 2017 and have the pipeline operational by Nov. 2018. Opponents have been rallying against the expansion. Last week, a bike trip of college students against the project visited an existing Tennessee Gas gas pumping station in Malden Bridge, on the Kinderhook Creek. The project also has its supporters. Last week, the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, an industry lobbying group, came out in favor of the expansion. The group said low-priced natural gas could help reduce the region's higher-than-average electricity prices. Read the full story in the Times Union.