FERC gives Sabal Trail final OK to build pipeline
Construction will begin in coming months on 516-mile natural gas pipeline
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By Carlton Fletcher
LAKE MARY, Fla. — Barring some unforeseen development, the battle to stop construction of the Sabal Trail natural gas pipeline is over.
Sabal Trail Transmission LLC received a certificate of public convenience and necessity Wednesday from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for construction and operation the Sabal Trail interstate natural gas pipeline. The 516-mile pipeline will have the capacity to deliver 1.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas to customers in the Southeast, including contracted services to Florida Power & Light Co. and Duke Energy of Florida.
Sabal Trail is a joint venture of Spectra Energy Partners LP, NextEra Energy Inc. and Duke Energy.
“Sabal Trail will provide a critically needed source of domestic, clean-burning, affordable natural gas to the Southeast U.S. to meet the growing demand for natural gas-fired generation, the cleanest and most versatile fuel for powering the region’s homes and businesses,” Sabal Trail Management LLC President Bill Yardley said in a release. “For more than 2 1/2 years, Sabal Trail has engaged with stakeholders, local community officials, and federal and state agencies to locate and design a pipeline system that will be built and operated safely and efficiently.
“Receiving this stamp of approval is a testament to our strong history of consultation and successful project execution. We are very pleased to reach this significant milestone and move one step closer to construction of the pipeline, which will diversify the region’s energy sources and generate significant economic benefits for local communities.”
The pipeline has come under heavy protest from many residents of Dougherty County.
Subject to certain conditions, Sabal Trail will proceed with final preparations in the coming months to commence construction on the pipeline. The Project has a targeted in-service date of May 1, 2017.
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