FERC Approves UGI Sunbury Pipeline
A subsidiary of UGI Energy Services LLC has received federal approval to build a 35-mile natural gas pipeline in Pennsylvania. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted UGI Sunbury LLC a certificate of public convenience and necessity to construct and operate the Sunbury Pipeline. Subject to certain conditions, FERC’s approval authorizes UGI Sunbury to proceed with construction.
The Sunbury Pipeline will bring new natural gas supplies to homes and businesses in central Pennsylvania. One of the primary end-users is the Hummel Station, a 1,124-MW combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant being built at the site of the shuttered coal-fired Sunbury Generation Facility near Shamokin Dam in Snyder County, Pennsylvania.
“The support we’ve received from local, state and federal leadership and today’s approval by FERC enable this major step forward for a cleaner and more secure energy future in the central Susquehanna Valley and across the region,” said UGI Corp. president and CEO John Walsh in a May 2 announcement. “The Sunbury Pipeline will establish a vital delivery link between abundant Pennsylvania natural gas and the Hummel Station, and is another example of UGI’s efforts to bridge the infrastructure gap between low-cost producing areas of Pennsylvania and consuming areas across our region.”
RELATED: UGI Sunbury Pipeline to Power 1,000-MW Plant
The conversion of the former coal-fired Sunbury Generation Facility to natural gas is part of a broader national trend to utilize low-cost, clean burning natural gas to generate electricity.
“The new Hummel Station promises to be one of the most efficient and economical generating stations in the country,” said Brad Hall, President of UGI Energy Services. “That bodes well for the long term operation of this facility and UGI is pleased to be part of this exciting project.”
The pipeline, comprised of 20-in. diameter steel pipeline and related facilities, is designed to deliver up to 200 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of natural gas. The pipeline originates in eastern Lycoming County and its route extends south through Montour, Northumberland and Union counties before terminating at Hummel Station. The pipeline also provides supply flexibility to parts of the UGI Utilities distribution system along the route.
Pending timely receipt of all remaining regulatory approvals, construction of the Sunbury Pipeline is expected to be completed as early as November.
Tags: gas-fired electricity, Hummel Station, natural gas, UGI Energy Services, UGI Sunbury
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