Enbridge Pipeline Project Reaches Seventy Percent Completion

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): Enbridge is nearing the final stages of its 122-mile natural gas pipeline expansion as construction reaches approximately 70 percent completion.

Enbridge Project Manager Art Haskins said the project remains on schedule to begin providing gas to the TVA by November 1. Haskins said the existing system could not meet the additional gas requirements requested by the TVA.

“It will provide natural gas for TVA at their Kingston, now ‘Energy Center’ is what they’re calling it,” Haskins said. “And they are going to convert that natural gas into electricity that will come back to all of these communities.”

Haskins said the construction process involves multiple phases including clearing, grading, stringing pipe, welding, and ditching. Haskins said crews are currently working in 36 different areas along the route, with pipe already strung and welded in the areas north and east of Cookeville and Algood.

“There’s been some tremendous amounts of of rain especially in the eastern portion of of the project and just the challenges of building lateral infrastructure across miles and miles of land,” Haskins said. “But I think we’re we’re again we’re on track and things are going pretty well.”

Haskins said the associated compressor station in Hartsville is also progressing rapidly and currently stands at roughly 75 percent completion.

Haskins also said the company is utilizing temporary access roads to move 50 to 60-foot sections of pipe and heavy equipment, but these areas will eventually be restored to their original state.

“If it’s through a hay field or another crop field or whatever it is it can go back to whatever service it had before,” Haskins said. “The temporary space can be revegetated or again go back to whatever it was being used for before.”

Haskins said the project is subject to environmental conditions and inspections from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Haskins said internal and third-party monitors are also used to ensure the project follows all environmental permitting.

“We’re very thankful for the support of the landowners and the local contractors people that are working with our contracting company and our local community leaders who have been very positive about our project and looking forward to continuing to be a good neighbor for many years to come,” Haskins said.

Haskins said initial restoration work has already begun on approximately 14 percent of the project area.

Courtesy: www.theucnow.com