National Fuel Gets go ahead for FM100 Project

(Williamsville, NY) National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. has been given the green light to start construction on a multi-million dollar project to build a new pipeline to increase its transportation capacity in the region.

A release issued recently stated that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the beginning of construction on the FM100 Project, which includes work in Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter, Clearfield and Clinton counties.

“National Fuel is targeting the end of calendar year 2021 for the project to be placed into service,” the release stated.

The company hired William Owens Sr., a 50-year veteran of the natural gas industry, as ombudsman for the project to “further enhance landowner and stakeholder relations. He will serve as a front-line resolution specialist for landowners and stakeholders. As an objective party, Owens will answer questions, investigate issues and coordinate with appropriate personnel and stakeholders.”

The project, according to National Fuel, locally entails the following: Installation of 29.5 miles of new 20-inch coated steel pipeline in Sergeant, Norwich and Liberty townships in McKean County and in Roulette, Pleasant Valley, Clara and Hebron townships in Potter County; installation of the new Marvindale compressor station in Sergeant Township and an adjacent interconnect; installation of up to 1.41 miles of 24-inch pipeline looping the existing pipeline in Allegany and Hebron townships in Potter County; installation of 0.4 miles of 12-inch diameter pipeline, extending the existing pipeline in Sergeant Township; installation of a new overpressure protection station in Hebron Township (Carpenter Hallow OPP Station).

Another part of the project includes abandonment in place of approximately 44.9 miles of 12-inch steel natural gas pipeline in Huston and Lawrence townships in Clearfield County, Benezette Township in Elk County, the Borough of Driftwood, and Gibson and Lumber townships in Cameron County and Wharton and Portage townships in Potter County; abandonment and removal of the Costello Compression station in Portage Township, Potter County, and abandonment and removal of an existing meter station in Wharton Township, Potter County.

The financial impact of the project in the region is in the hundreds of millions, according to National Fuel.

Spokesperson Carly Manino provided the following information. “The project’s economic impact includes investing more than $250 million in Pennsylvania; creating approximately 500 jobs during construction, estimated over $63 million in regional construction payroll and services spending; estimated over $3 million in regional material purchases and fuel spending.”

The total economic impact is estimated at more than $500 million, Manino indicated.

National Fuel will support local businesses throughout the construction, and will continue ongoing work with area companies.

David P. Bauer, president and CEO of National Fuel, had this to say about the project: “...in line with our ongoing focus on greenhouse gas emissions, the project includes commitments to install best-in-class emissions controls, including the use of vent gas recovery systems at two new compressor stations, which are expected to limit the carbon footprint from our growing operations.”

More information about the project is available on National Fuel’s website.