Developers are proposing a natural gas pipeline expansion that would beef up the lines connecting New Jersey to Nova Scotia. The possible expansion is the fourth that has been proposed for the region.
Northeast Utilities and Spectra Energy are partnering in the bid to expand two already existing gas transmission networks, the Algonquin network, and the Maritimes and Northeast Pipeline.
The project would supply as much as a billion cubic feet per day, which would be a big boost to gas supplies.
By itself it’s what New England Governors have said is the minimum the region needs to help alleviate winter-time price-spikes.
There are already three other projects being contemplated: two are expansions of existing pipelines, and a third would be new development and has been met with pushback in Massachusetts.
Spectra says this latest upgrade could come on line as early as November 2018, at a cost of roughly $3 billion dollars. That’s assuming it clears all the hurdles between announcement and construction.