Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC Requests Authorization to Commence Service on Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has been informed by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC of its intention to commence service on its Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project. The project, approved in July 2018, involves the construction of facilities to provide up to 47,500 dekatherms per day of incremental firm transportation service. However, a groundwater spring issue has emerged during horizontal directional drilling activities in March 2025, necessitating the development and implementation of long-term mitigation measures. Columbia has engaged with multiple agencies, including Maryland Department of the Environment, US Army Corps of Engineers, and National Park Service, to address the issue.

Key Takeaways:

  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC has submitted a request to the FERC to commence service on its Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project, which was approved in July 2018.
  • The project involves the construction of facilities to provide up to 47,500 dekatherms per day of incremental firm transportation service.
  • A groundwater spring issue emerged during horizontal directional drilling activities in March 2025, which necessitates the development and implementation of long-term mitigation measures.
  • Columbia has engaged with multiple agencies, including Maryland Department of the Environment, US Army Corps of Engineers, and National Park Service, to address the issue.
  • The proposed mitigation design was submitted to all agencies on June 3, 2025, and construction is anticipated to take approximately one week upon approval.
  • Columbia will continue to monitor the spring and provide updates to FERC staff in its biweekly status reports for the Project.

Statistics:

  • The Eastern Panhandle Expansion Project involves the construction of facilities to provide up to 47,500 dekatherms per day of incremental firm transportation service.
  • The groundwater spring issue emerged during horizontal directional drilling activities in March 2025.
  • Columbia retained a karst subject matter expert and senior geologist from Terracon Consultants, Inc. to perform a geophysical analysis and provide recommendations for mitigation.
  • The proposed mitigation design was submitted to all agencies on June 3, 2025.

Sources:

  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, Order Issuing Certificate, 164 FERC 61,036 (2018)
  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, Notice to Proceed with Construction, Docket No. CP17-80-000 (issued October 22, 2024).
  • 18 C.F.R. S.S 385.2010 of the FERC's regulations.