Enbridge wants to expand the Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline system in the Northeast, affecting New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
In fall of 2023, Enbridge sought bids from buyers for increased capacity on its “Algonquin” Gas Transmission (AGT) pipeline. Since this is an existing major gas transmission system, any increases would by supplied mostly through replacing existing pipeline with larger diameter pipe where possible, extending or installing new pipeline loops in parallel to existing pipeline facilities where possible, and adding compression at existing compressor stations, depending on subscribed volumes (the amount of customers who bid and how much capacity they are willing to secure). If they had a full slate of customers, it could supply an increase of up to 750,000 dekatherms a day (Dth/d), depending on customer need.
» See “Project Maple” Open Season info for soliticing bids from customers
As of June 3, 2024, Enbridge has not filed any projects under the title “Project Maple” with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the primary permitting agency for interstate pipeline systems.
PROJECT MAPLE STARTS
The first mention of “Project Maple” outside of the Open Season proposal is now appearing as an appeal to the municipal gas & electric commissioners in Middleborough, MA for a contract to purchase gas off the system. Their presentation outlines a “lift and relay” (replacing smaller pipeline with larger new pipeline in the same right of way) on the “G System” lateral and mentions work on the “J System” lateral near Cambridge, MA
OTHER PROJECTS / SEGMENTS FILED
Two stand-alone projects on the AGT were recently filed with FERC. One project in CT and one in RI. Enbridge asked for “blanket authority” under an existing permit from 1987. Filing this way, these projects would have received automatic approval if no protests were filed in response.
Opposing organizations were able to get protests filed on both dockets in time to trigger review by FERC. Though those extended review periods have expired, as of June 3, 2024, FERC has not approved the projects nor replied to Enbridge’s repeated pleas on the dockets for swift approval.
– FERC docket #CP24-21, a regulator facility to be added to an injection site on the E-1 lateral in Coventry, CT
– FERC docket #CP24-49, replacement of existing 6″ pipeline with a 12″ pipeline under the Sakonnet River in RI (part of Narragansett Bay)
Click on the links above for more information on each of these developments.
Will there be a larger portion of “Project Maple”? Will it continue as a series of segmented, small filings? We don’t know. But we’re monitoring and taking action where we can.
Follow the links for information on all the pieces of this developing gas infrastructure proposal.
PIPELINE EXPANSIONS SHOULD NO LONGER BE ALLOWED
Enbridge is claiming that this project will be helpful for reaching our states’ climate targets. They cite switching heating customers from oil to gas, and helping address the intermittency of renewable electric generation by being a “dispatchable resource” as reasons for this expansion.
In the face of not only the climate emergency, but also mandates from all states for the elimination of fossil fuel emissions, arguments for gas as a solution are long outdated. What we need is to double down on energy efficiency, renewables and energy storage to address any times of high demand.
It’s long past time to allow further investment in and expansion of infrastructure for gas and other combustible energy sources.