Project Overview

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Williams has received customer requests to expand the capacity of its Transco pipeline to deliver additional natural gas to the Northeast. The requested capacity is necessary to meet the growing natural gas demand in the region. The Central New Jersey expansion project is being designed to create additional firm transportation service on the Transco pipeline by November 2005. The expansion will require approximately 3.5 miles of new 36-inch pipeline near the company's existing mainline system in Burlington County, N.J.

In December 2003, Williams began contacting local public officials to introduce them to the proposed expansion. As part of the preliminary planning phase, Williams identified and investigated several potential route alternatives for constructing facilities required for the expansion. In June 2004, the company's "preferred route" was presented to the public.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is charged by Congress with determining whether or not proposed interstate pipeline projects are in the public convenience and necessity. Before Williams obtains authorization to construct an interstate natural gas transmission pipeline, the company must first file a detailed project plan with the FERC. On August 11, 2004, Williams filed its application with the FERC formally seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct and operate the Central New Jersey Expansion Project. This application contained a detailed analysis of all of the route alternatives, including the company's preferred route.

In February 2005 FERC approved the project, determining that there was a public need for the project and the construction and operation of the facilities would not result in significant adverse impacts to the environment. Williams anticipates that construction will begin in the summer of 2005.

Project Schedule

Environmental Responsibility

With its proven track record of good environmental stewardship, Williams is committed to minimizing impacts to the environment. This commitment extends through all aspects of the project, working with local, state and federal agencies to design and construct the pipeline with a minimum of environmental impacts, and in conformity to all legal requirements. During the planning of the overall route, extra effort was taken to identify areas of endangered and threatened species, vegetative communities and wildlife. Avoidance of environmentally sensitive areas remains our primary objective.

About Williams

Williams has provided reliable, economic natural gas transportation services to the U.S. for over 90 years and is committed to meeting the ever-growing energy needs. The availability of clean and affordable energy is key to the success of promoting economic development while attracting and retaining industries in any community. Because of this, Williams is working to expand its pipeline systems across the U.S.

Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Williams' businesses produce, gather, process and transport clean-burning natural gas to heat homes and power electric generation across the country.

Williams' 15,000-mile natural gas pipeline network extends from the East Coast to the West Coast and from Mexico to Canada, delivering approximately 12 percent of all the natural gas used in the United States. 

Williams' Transco pipeline is a major transporter of natural gas in the Northeast, delivering more than half of the natural gas consumed in major metropolitan areas in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and New York.