Industry

Williams’ Southeastern Trail project receives favorable environmental assessment

Staff Reports

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) recently published its environmental assessment (EA) for Williams’ Southeastern Trail Project, concluding that the project would not significantly affect the environment.

The Southeastern Trail Expansion Project creates additional firm transportation capacity to serve utility and local distribution companies located in Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The project consists of approximately 7.7 miles of 42-inch pipeline looping facilities in Virginia, horsepower additions at existing compressor stations in Virginia, as well as piping and valve modifications in other states.
The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and
operation of the project in accordance with the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). In a response published Feb. 8, 2019, the FERC staff concludes that, “approval of the proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.”
The Southeastern Trail Expansion Project has been designed to minimize impacts to landowners and the environment by increasing the utilization of existing pipeline infrastructure. Virtually all of the project activities are within Transco’s existing rights of way and/or property boundaries.
Williams submitted an application to the FERC for the Southeastern Trail Expansion Project in April 2018. If approved, the project would be placed into service in November 2020.