Analysis done for proposed natural gas pipeline that would run through Utah and three other states

SALT LAKE CITY — Government regulators have completed the final environmental analysis on a proposed natural gas pipeline project that would run through northern Utah.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Friday released its final environmental impact statement regarding the construction of the nearly 680-mile Ruby Pipeline.

According to an agency release, FERC determined that construction and operation of the project would result in some adverse environmental impacts. However, most negative impacts would be reduced to less-than-significant levels with the implementation of Ruby Pipeline LLC's proposed mitigation measures, additional measures and agreements being discussed by Ruby and other agencies related to permitting or conservation agreements, and the additional measures recommended by FERC staff in the impact statement.

The statement went on the to say that, in accordance with Federal statutes, "no comments may be submitted in response to a final EIS. The case is now ready for consideration by the commission."

The $2 billion pipeline would run for 677 miles through Wyoming, Utah, Nevada and Oregon. The project also would involve building four new compressor stations and related facilities.

Houston-based El Paso Corp. has said the pipeline would begin in Opal, Wyo., and travel through Utah's Rich, Cache and Box Elder counties and across Nevada before ending in Malin, Ore., near California's northern border. The pipeline would transport natural gas to local utilities that provide service to individual homes, small and large businesses and electric generating plants in California, Nevada and Oregon.

The pipeline would transport 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day and could be expanded to 2 billion cubic feet.

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