Adelphia Gateway, a subsidiary of New Jersey Resources, has secured approval from the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for the Adelphia Gateway pipeline conversion project in southeastern Pennsylvania.

The pipeline company was issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the pipeline conversion project which it says affirms the need for reliable pipeline infrastructure to cater to constrained markets.

Steve Westhoven – President and CEO of New Jersey Resources said: “We are pleased FERC approved the Adelphia Gateway project and issued a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

“This is a critical next step in our efforts to provide clean, low-cost natural gas to customers in the Greater Philadelphia region.”

The Adelphia Gateway pipeline conversion project will involve 100% conversion of an existing 84-mile oil pipeline to natural gas. In 1996, the northern part of the pipeline, of 34 miles length was converted to transport natural gas.

The northern part of the pipeline extends from western Bucks County to Martins Creek Terminal in Northampton County.

The new pipeline conversion project will see the remaining 50 miles of the pipeline converted from oil to natural gas.

According to New Jersey Resources, upon the completion of acquisition of Interstate Energy Company and the existing pipeline from Talen Generation, the northern part will continue to operate to supply gas to a couple of natural gas-fired power plants in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Pennsylvania.

The company said that after all the required regulatory approvals are secured, it will begin work to convert the lower 50 miles of the pipeline from oil to natural gas.

Currently, Adelphia Gateway estimates the work to be completed and the Adelphia Gateway pipeline conversion project to be commissioned next year.

The natural gas supply transported via the Adelphia Gateway pipeline will cater to customers in the Greater Philadelphia area.

The Adelphia Gateway pipeline conversion project is anticipated to offer economic benefits of nearly $677 million during the first 15 years of its operations. It will transport natural gas to Kimberly-Clark’s mill in Chester to help the personal care company to replace its existing on-site coal-fired co-generation power plant.

By changing over to a natural gas-fired generation power plant, Kimberly-Clark is expected to bring down its greenhouse gas emissions from the facility by 50%.

  Adelphia Gateway, FERC, New Jersey Resources, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Steve Westhoven, US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, USA