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Independent regulatory commissions

Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC Requests Variance for Horizontal Directional Drill in Virginia Reliability Project

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC has submitted a variance request to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to modify its construction procedures for the Virginia Reliability Project. The modification involves changing the method of crossing a 0.2-mile segment of the pipeline from open trench to horizontal directional drill (HDD) to avoid an archaeological site in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. This change eliminates trenching and reduces potential impact on the site, with HDD activities expected to take approximately eight days to complete.

Key Takeaways:

  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC has submitted a variance request to FERC to modify its construction procedures for the Virginia Reliability Project, specifically to change the crossing method on VM-108 from open trench to horizontal directional drill (HDD).
  • The modification is necessary to avoid an approximate 0.2-mile segment of VM-108 located within an archeological site identified during construction.
  • The HDD will be conducted entirely within the existing certificated workspace and will not require changes to alignment sheets or workspace boundaries.
  • Columbia confirms that all required federal authorizations have been obtained, necessary landowner approvals are in place, and no new sensitive resources will be affected by the HDD activity.
  • The nearest residences are located more than 1/2-mile from the proposed HDD entry and exit points, and HDD construction will be limited to daytime hours between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., except in cases of unforeseen circumstances.
  • Columbia requests that information submitted as Attachments 1 through 5 be accorded privileged and confidential treatment pursuant to 18 C.F.R. § 388.112 of the Commission's regulations.
  • The documents in Attachments 1 through 5 contain sensitive data, proprietary information, or information that otherwise is not appropriate for disclosure to the public.
  • Columbia is e-filing this variance request in accordance with the Commission's Order No. 703 Filing Via the Internet guidelines issued in Docket No. RM07-16-000 on November 15, 2007.
  • A copy of this cover letter is being served to each person whose name appears on the official service list for this proceeding.

Statistics:

  • 0.2 miles: the approximate segment of VM-108 located within an archeological site identified during construction.
  • 8 days: the estimated duration of HDD activities.
  • 24 to 48 hours: the anticipated duration of pipe pullback, which may necessitate nighttime construction.
  • 1/2-mile: the distance from the proposed HDD entry and exit points to the nearest residences.

Sources:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, November 16, 2023, Order Issuing Certificates and Approving Abandonment (Docket No. CP22-503-000).
  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, 185 FERC P 61,130 (2023).
  • 18 C.F.R. § 385.2010.
  • 18 C.F.R. § 385.2005.
  • 18 C.F.R. § 388.112.
  • FERC Order No. 703 Filing Via the Internet guidelines (Docket No. RM07-16-000).
  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, July 24, 2025, correspondence with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
  • Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC, August 15, 2025, courtesy copy of the HDD plan to document the change in crossing method form open cut to HDD.

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