Millennium Pipeline Co., L.L.C. announced Tuesday that it has commenced its 2008 Construction Program to complete the 182-mile-long, 30-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline across New York's Southern Tier and lower Hudson Valley. More than 90 percent of the pipeline will be installed within or adjacent to existing pipeline rights-of-way. Millennium is the centerpiece of a $1 billion investment in new energy infrastructure that includes new facilities by Empire Pipeline, Algonquin Gas Transmission and the Iroquois Gas Transmission systems.
Millennium Pipeline began construction activities last year with the installation of approximately 12 miles of pipeline, mostly in Orange and Rockland counties. The majority of the mainline pipeline installation work, however, will be performed in 2008 to meet the project's November 2008 targeted in-service date. Some land restoration and environmental monitoring work will extend into 2009 and beyond. More than 2,000 workers -- many of them hired locally -- will be involved in this major construction project.
"After years of extensive planning, careful preparation, and detailed coordination, we're very excited to be launching our major construction efforts to complete this critical energy project in New York State," said President Dick Leehr. "We're on schedule to bring much-needed natural gas supplies to serve the region for the upcoming winter season."
"This pipeline is critical to our economic future in New York. Not only will it supply much needed new sources of natural gas supply to serve Southeastern New York, it will provide greater reliability in service to the region and enhance the value of developing storage fields and local production interests in the Southern Tier. This year alone the Project is expected to inject millions of dollars into the upstate economy," noted Paul DeCotis, New York State's Deputy Secretary for Energy.
The contractors selected to perform the pipeline construction work are U.S. Pipeline, Inc. (USPL), a Houston-based pipeline construction and engineering services company, and Precision Pipeline, LLC of Eau Claire, WI. Midwest Underground Technology will install horizontal directional drill crossings below selected rivers, streams and roadways.
The Millennium Pipeline is anchored by its customers National Grid, Consolidated Edison of New York, Central Hudson Gas and Electric Corp. and Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. Millennium will serve markets along its route in the Southern Tier and lower Hudson Valley as well as providing essential service to the New York City markets through its pipeline interconnections. Millennium will transport up to 525,400 Dth/day when it is scheduled to go into service in November 2008. Millennium is jointly owned by affiliates of NiSource Inc., National Grid and DTE Energy.
