Vermont Gas Systems has federal approval for Phase II of the company’s pipeline from Addison County under Lake Champlain to an International Paper mill in New York.
The approval, which came from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), is the only federal permission needed for the three-phase pipeline project. For each of the three phases in Vermont (Chittenden County to Addison County, Addison County under the lake to New York, and Addison County to Rutland County), Vermont Gas will need a Certificate of Public Good from the Vermont Public Service Board.
So far, only Phase I (Chittenden County to Addison County) has received a Certificate of Public Good. Board hearings for Phase II were delayed earlier this month due to lack of FERC approval and potential reconsideration of Phase I as a result of cost overruns.
Phase II is still under consideration by New York regulators as well, according to Vermont Gas spokesman Steve Wark. With the filings complete, Wark said, the company is now awaiting rulings from both state bodies.
“Now it is in process and both New York and Vermont have all the necessary information to begin their review processes or continue their review process as the case may be in Vermont, and ultimately make a decision,” he said.
With FERC approval for Phase II, and no other phases crossing state lines, Vermont Gas will no longer have to seek federal permission for any phase of the project, though the company has not yet applied for a Phase III Certificate of Public Good.
