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 greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The requested capacity is necessary to meet the growing natural gas demand in the region. The Potomac expansion project is being designed to create additional firm transportation service on the Transco pipeline by November 2007. The expansion will require approximately 16.5 miles of new 42-inch pipeline that will loop the company's existing mainline system in Pittsylvania and Campbell counties, Va., and replace a portion of pipe in Fairfax county, Va.

Once complete, the expansion will provide the capacity to transport an additional 165,000 dekatherms of natural gas per day to the region (enough gas to serve about 700,000 homes).

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is charged by Congress with determining whether or not proposed interstate pipeline projects are in the public interest. Before Williams obtains authorization to construct an interstate natural gas transmission pipeline, the company must first file a detailed project plan with the FERC. Williams filed a formal application with the FERC on July 17, 2006. The FERC approved Williams' Potomac project on April 12, 2007.

In November 2005 Williams notified FERC of its intent to initiate a pre-application environmental review process, soliciting early input from citizens, governmental entities and other interested parties to identify and address potential issues.

In January 2006, Williams hosted a series of public workshops (PDF, 316 KB) in Pittsylvania, Campbell and Fairfax counties, Va. The meetings were designed to solicit early feedback from members of the community so that issues with potential facility locations can be identified and addressed. Approximately 60 people attended the three workshops.

If FERC determines there is a public need for the project and the construction and operation of the facilities do not result in significant adverse impacts to the environment, FERC will issue a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing the company to proceed with the project. A detailed analysis of all of the route alternatives, including the company’s preferred route, has been submitted to the FERC for consideration and ultimate approval.

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 will be taken to identify areas of endangered and threatened species, vegetative communities and wildlife. Avoidance of environmentally sensitive areas remains our primary objective.