Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion

About

This project’s purpose is to serve an electric power generation plant being constructed in Dover, Delaware. The 309MW plant, dubbed the Garrison Energy Center, is located in Garrison Oak Technical Park. This project marks the first delivery lateral firm transportation service on Eastern Shore Natural Gas’s (ESNG) system. GTA provided natural resource evaluations and federal and state permitting services for this approximately 5.5-mile utility alignment project. The White Oak Lateral Natural Gas Pipeline Expansion project will serve the electric power generation plant, converting its fuel source from coal to natural gas, and provide additional natural gas for continued growth for two local distribution companies. GTA coordinated with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section and DNREC Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, and the Delaware State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). GTA prepared resource reports to include in ESNG’s filing to obtain a FERC Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. Additionally, GTA obtained authorization to use Nationwide Permit 12: Utility Lines for impacts to federally regulated resources and obtained a no authorization required letter from DNREC’s Wetland and Subaqueous Land section. GTA also managed Cultural Resource Services through a subconsultant on behalf of ESNG and obtained a concurrence letter from the State Historic Preservation Office.

GTA provided FERC Environmental Inspector Training and currently serves as Environmental Inspector for construction of the project.

Construction began in early 2014 and is anticipated to extend through August 2014. The project has had horizontal directional drill under one railroad crossing, and Delaware Route 1 near the Dover Speedway. Open cut sections have been made through multiple residential communities and GTA has acted as a liaison with the property owners in coordinating restoration in a timely manner. Multiple open cut sections will be required through waterways and areas of shallow water. As such, the client is required to obtain a groundwater allocation permit though DNREC. GTA will observe the installation of the well point system used in dewatering the open cut section, and monitor the discharge and best management practices used during these activities.