Pipeline & Storage



Northern Access

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How will the new facility at Ellisburg Station be accessed?
  2. What kinds of emissions are released by the compressor stations? What are the hazardous materials?
  3. What kind of noise level can be expected at the proposed facilities at Ellisburg, PA, and on Reiter Road in East Aurora, NY?
  4. Will there be any noise or smell of gas at the proposed Reiter Road station?
  5. Will there be any personnel manning the East Aurora Station?
  6. Who should be called in the case of an emergency?
  7. Will the East Aurora Station be similar to the station at Elma, NY?
  8. What type of pipe will be used?
  9. Will any lines be changed or new pipeline installed?
  10. Will the local fire departments have the chance to become familiar with the new station?


  1. How will the new facility at Ellisburg Station be accessed?

    • An existing road will be modified and utilized to access the site of the station addition. No additional road egress is necessary.
  2. What kinds of emissions are released by the compressor stations? What are the hazardous materials?

    • The engine-driven compressors are fueled by natural gas. The emissions are the same as the furnace in your home. Of course, the unit is larger so the volume is greater.
  3. What kind of noise level can be expected at the proposed facilities at Ellisburg, PA, and on Reiter Road in East Aurora, NY?

    • Noise engineering experts commissioned by NFG have performed a noise impact analysis for the proposed compressor installations at Ellisburg and East Aurora. This effort involves monitoring existing noise levels as well as estimating levels experienced after addition of the new noise source. The results of the study are included in Resource Report 9 of the filing NFG submitted to FERC in consideration of the Northern Access project. This document is available for public review at www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary.asp, Docket No. CP11-128. In all cases, NFG installations will fall below the FERC-established limit of day-night sound level of 55dbA.
  4. Will there be any noise or smell of gas at the proposed Reiter Road station?

    • There will be some noticeable construction noise during station installation. We are going to great lengths to insure that this station is as quiet as possible during operation and it will comply with the allowable noise level established by the FERC.
    • The new facility proposed at Reiter Road, Wales Twp. NY will not be equipped with odor injection facilities. An occasional, but infrequent, odor of gas could be experienced as compressor units are shut down for routine maintenance. These events are short in duration and pose no threat to the public.
  5. Will there be any personnel manning the East Aurora Station?

    • The station will not have a full-time employee on-site. There will, however, be regular maintenance and safety checks done by National Fuel employees.
  6. Who should be called in the case of an emergency?

    • Please call National Fuel's emergency number at 1-800-444-3130 if there is a problem.
  7. Will the East Aurora Station be similar to the station at Elma, NY?

    • No, the two stations will be nothing alike. The station at Elma is older, with above-ground piping and less sound-mitigation. The new station at East Aurora will be state-of-the-art. The compressor buildings will be highly insulated to contain the engine noise and the piping will be buried to a greater extent to further dissipate sound.
  8. What type of pipe will be used?

    • High-grade steel pipe will be used.
  9. Will any lines be changed or new pipeline installed?

    • We will need to install connecting lines to the station, but there is no transmission pipeline construction associated with this project.
  10. Will the local fire departments have the chance to become familiar with the new station?

    • Yes. In fact, we have committed to meet with the fire companies during planning and design to develop plans for access to the site for fire trucks and to discuss the protocol for site access by local fire companies.
    • Once the station is operational, we will conduct annual meetings with all of the local emergency management responders to familiarize them with the station layout, access roads and safety equipment.
    • National Fuel currently holds annual meetings with emergency responders, municipalities and excavation contractors.