Atlantic Coast Pipeline, a joint venture between Dominion, Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas and AGL Resources, is seeking the US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval to construct 564-mile interstate natural gas transmission pipeline from West Virginia to North Carolina, US.
The joint venture plans to invest $5bn to build, own and operate the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline, which would run from Harrison County through Virginia with an extension to Chesapeake, Virginia, and then south through central North Carolina to Robeson County.
In addition to addressing the need for cleaner electricity generation, the project is expected to meet growing natural gas demand as well as give boost to economic growth.
With an initial capacity of 1.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, the pipeline project will also provide a new route for direct access to the production in the Marcellus and Utica shale basins of West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Subject to regulatory approval, the project construction work is scheduled to commence in the second half of 2016 with planned commissioning in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Dominion Energy president Diane Leopold said: "The ACP will enhance overall energy reliability in the region, bringing natural gas that will heat homes and power businesses, support thousands of jobs, and promote lower energy prices and economic development.
"It will be used to fuel a new generation of efficient power stations being built to achieve future federal and state environmental regulations."
Dominion has 45% stake in the joint venture while Duke Energy holds 40%, Piedmont has 10% and AGL Resources has 5%.
Separately, Dominion Transmission is also seeking FERC approval to build $500m Supply Header project, which involves development of approximately 38 miles of natural gas pipeline and upgrading of existing compression facilities in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Image: US plans to meet growing natural gas demand. Photo: courtesy of supakitmod/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.