US FERC approves Sabal Trail’s $3.2bn gas pipeline project

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) in the US has issued a certificate of public convenience and necessity to Sabal Trail Transmission’s $3.2bn interstate natural gas pipeline project.

Sabal Trail Transmission is a joint venture between Spectra Energy Partners, NextEra Energy and Duke Energy.

The approval will allow the company to construct and operate the Sabal Trail gas pipeline project and further authorises it to proceed with final preparations to commence construction soon.

The pipeline is expected to be in-service by 1 May 2017.

Upon completion, the 516-mile pipeline will have the capacity to deliver about 1.1 billion ft² of natural gas per day to the Southeast US, including transportation services to Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy.

Sabal Trail Management president Bill Yardley said: "Sabal Trail will provide a critically-needed source of domestic, clean-burning, affordable natural gas to the Southeast US to meet the growing demand for natural gas-fired generation, the cleanest and most versatile fuel for powering the region’s homes and businesses.

"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."

Sabal Trail filed an application on 21 November 2014, requesting approval to construct and operate the project.

The project will include a new pipeline, six compressor stations, and six metre stations in Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.