Florida GasTransmission Co. LLC received authorization from FERC to build andoperate natural gas pipeline facilities in Florida to serve the utilityPeoples Gas System.

"FGT's proposed Jacksonville expansion project willhelp Peoples Gas meet the growing demands of its customers," FERC said ina March 30 order. "Based on the benefits the project will provide toPeoples Gas and the minimal adverse effect on existing shippers, otherpipelines and their captive customers, and landowners and surroundingcommunities, the commission finds … subject to the environmental discussion andconditions included in this order, that the public convenience and necessityrequires approval of FGT's proposal."

FGT told FERC it needs the project to provide firmtransportation of 15,000 MMBtu/d at 800 pounds per square inch gage to theSeaCoast and Brandy Branch delivery points on the Jacksonville lateral. FGTentered into a precedent agreement for firm transportation service in October2014 with Peoples Gas, a division of Tampa Electric Co. Tampa Electric is a company.Before the project facilities are placed into service, FGT plans to provide upto 60,000 MMBtu/d of firm service and up to 30,000 MMBtu/d of firm seasonalservice. When the facilities are in service, FGT will provide Peoples Gas withup to 75,000 MMBtu/day of firm service and up to 60,000 MMBtu/d of seasonalservice. FGT told FERC the 60,000 MMBtu/d of firm service and the seasonal firmservice can be provided without the project facilities.

The Jacksonville expansion project is expected to costapproximately $46.5 million. The project will include theinstallation of approximately three miles of 30-inch-diameter loop pipeline and5.7 miles of 20-inch-diameter loop pipeline, as well as pig launchers andreceivers, mainline valves, a regulation station, and a new 5,000-horsepowercompressor unit at Compressor Station 16. The construction andmodification of facilities will occur in Suwannee, Columbia, Bradford and Claycounties in northern Florida.

The application for the expansion project was submitted toFERC on March 31, 2015. The project cleared an when FERC's Officeof Energy Projects staff issued a favorable environmental assessment on Jan.15. (CP15-144)