Empire Pipeline
Tioga County Extension Project
On May 19, 2011, Empire Pipeline Inc., a subsidiary of National Fuel Gas Company, received approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) at Docket Number CP10-493-000 to construct a natural gas pipeline in Steuben County, N.Y. and Tioga County, P.A., with an interconnect to Empire's existing Empire Connector Pipeline at the northern end of the project. The new, 15-mile pipeline will bring abundant supplies of domestic, clean-burning natural gas from locally produced Marcellus Shale and Trenton-Black River gas wells to consumers in this region and beyond.
As of November 22, 2011, all facilities associated with this project were in-service. The new, 15-mile pipeline will bring abundant supplies of domestic, clean-burning natural gas from locally produced Marcellus Shale and Trenton-Black River gas wells to consumers in this region and beyond.
The Tioga County Extension Project included the construction of approximately 15 miles of a 24-inch pipeline, beginning near the New York/Pennsylvania State Line just west of John Hill Road in Jackson Township, P.A., and ending near the Millennium Pipeline Compressor Station on Quackenbush Hill, just north of West Road in Corning Township, N.Y. Additionally, the Company replaced approximately 1.4 miles of its existing pipeline system in Victor, N.Y., constructed a new interconnection with Tennessee Gas Pipeline in Ontario County, N.Y., and performed miscellaneous modifications at existing measurement and compressor stations.
PROJECT TIMELINE |
| Fall 2009 |
Preliminary environmental and engineering studies |
| October 19, 2009 |
Empire Public Meeting, Corning, NY |
| January 28, 2010 |
Begin FERC NEPA pre-filing process |
| February 17 & 18, 2010 |
Empire Public Meetings, Corning and Victor, NY |
| April 27 & 28, 2010 |
FERC Scoping Meetings |
| Spring 2010 |
Detailed environmental and engineering studies |
| August 26, 2010 |
Submitted 7(c) application to FERC |
| Summer 2010 - Winter 2010/2011 |
Negotiate rights-of-way (ROW) |
| May 19, 2011 |
Received FERC approval |
| July 2011 |
Construction begins |
| Fall 2011 |
Restoration activities begin |
| November 22, 2011 |
All facilities in-service |
| Summer 2012 - ongoing |
Remaining restoration; monitor crop yields |
For Landowners
A project meeting was held on October 19, 2009, at the location below, in order to provide information on the project and how it may affect property owners and others in the area.
DATE & TIME |
MEETING LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
Monday, Oct. 19, 2009
7 p.m. |
Radisson Hotel - Corning |
125 Denison Parkway East
Corning, NY 14830 |
Click here to view a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that was given at the meeting above.
Additional project meetings for landowners to discuss a preferred pipeline route were held on the following dates:
DATE & TIME |
MEETING LOCATION |
ADDRESS |
Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010
7 p.m. |
Radisson Hotel - Corning |
125 Denison Parkway East
Corning, NY 14830 |
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010
7 p.m. |
Victor Central School District (VEC) |
953 High Street
Victor, NY 14564 |
Click here to view a copy of the PowerPoint presentation that was given at the meetings above.
More information about landowners' rights and ways to become involved in this process can be found on FERC's website: http://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/get-involved.asp.
Company representatives have surveyed the property on the proposed pipeline route. These surveys have provided us with data needed to determine the most suitable route for this pipeline project. Factors used in making this determination included, but were not limited to: environmental or archeological sensitivity, the presence of threatened and endangered species, pipeline engineering issues, site conditions (including locations of buildings, drain tiles, wells, and other natural and manmade features), geological conditions and cost.
In areas where new pipeline is to be constructed, Empire has acquired new rights of way. Where Empire has existing rights of way, the pipeline will be replaced under these original rights. A right of way is an agreement by which a property owner grants permission to Empire to use a portion of his or her property to install, operate and maintain the pipeline facilities. Right of way compensation is determined by the current land values, which are established by recent sales of comparable properties in the area. Historically, the presence of a natural gas pipeline, which is buried a minimum of three feet underground, has not reduced property values. In addition, Empire is committed to restoring the areas affected during construction to original or better condition, and allowing the continued use of the land for agricultural and recreational purposes.
Empire plans to begin construction in June 2011 and complete the Project in September 2011
FERC Filings
In order to access Empire Pipeline's FERC filings, please visit www.FERC.gov and complete the following steps:
- Click on eLibrary in the upper right-hand corner.
- Under "Search Options," click on "General Search."
- Switch the "Date Range" to "All" and type in "CP10-493" in the box that asks for the "Docket Number."
A copy of Empire Pipeline, Inc.'s application as filed with the FERC can be viewed at one of the following libraries:
Victor Free Library
15 West Main Street
Victor, NY 14564
(585) 924-2637
Pioneer Library System
2557 Rt. 21
Canandaigua, NY 14424
(585) 394-8260
Southeast Steuben County Library
300 Nasser Civic Center Plaza
Suite 101
Corning, NY 14830
(607) 936-3713