Office of Energy Projects 

Energy Infrastructure Update 

For July 2011 

Page 1 of 5 

Natural Gas Highlights 

 The Ruby Pipeline commenced service in July. The 678 mile pipeline will transport 1,456 MMcf/d of Rockies natural 

gas from Wyoming to customers in the Pacific Northwest and California. 

 Tiger Pipeline placed into service its Expansion Project – Phase I. These pipeline facilities will enable Tiger Pipeline 

to transport an additional 400 MMcf/d of gas from the Haynesville and Mid-Bossier shale basins to eastern markets. 

 Ryckman Creek received authorization to construct and operate a new storage facility (Ryckman Creek Storage 

Project) in Uinta County, Wyoming. This storage field will have a total working gas capacity of 35 Bcf. 

 Equitrans received authorization to construct and operate its Sunrise Project which will provide 314 MMcf/d of new 

capacity for the transportation of Marcellus shale gas to markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. 

 Millennium filed an application to construct and operate its Minisink Compressor Project which will provide an 

additional 225 MMcf/d of capacity to transport market area gas to Algonquin at Ramapo, New York. 

 Sawgrass Storage filed an application to convert a depleted natural gas reservoir in Lincoln and Union Parishes, 

Louisiana into a natural gas storage facility with a working gas capacity of 30 Bcf. 

Natural Gas Activities in July 2011 

Status No. of 

Projects 

Storage 

Capacity 

(Bcf) 

Deliverability 

(MMcf/d) 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d) 

Miles of 

Pipeline 

Compression 

(HP) 

Pipeline 

Placed in Service 2 1,856.0 698.3 187,726 

Certificated 2 455.6 49.8 33,155 

Proposed 5 592.0 13.5 52,430 

Storage 

Placed in Service 1 10.0 0 0 

Certificated 1 35.0 480 33,000 

Proposed 2 32.7 300 19,000 

LNG 

Placed in Service 0 0 0 0 

Certificated 0 0 0 0 

Proposed 0 0 0 0 

 Source: Staff Database 

Natural Gas Activities through July 31, 2011 

Through July 31, 2010 

Status No. of 

Projects 

Storage 

Capacity 

(Bcf) 

Deliverability 

(MMcf/d) 

Capacity 

(MMcf/d) 

Miles of 

Pipeline 

Compression 

(HP) 

Pipeline 

Placed in Service 

through July 31, 2010 

14 

10 

8,060.5 

5,090.2 

1,430.1 

225.4 

618,771 

140,905 

Certificated 

through July 31, 2010 

8 

14 

2,272.2 

7,533.1 

238.1 

1,432.2 

110,385 

439,454 

Storage 

Placed in Service 

through July 31, 2010 

5 

6 

25.3 

43.9 

2,545 

1,011 

6,283 

8,180 

Certificated 

through July 31, 2010 

7 

9 

138.3 

79.0 

3,200 

3,248 

91,710 

72,028 

LNG 

Placed in Service 

through July 31, 2010 

1 

1 

16.4 

4.22 

2,000 

400 

0 

0 

Certificated 

through July 31, 2010 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

 Source: Staff Database 
Office of Energy Projects 

Energy Infrastructure Update 

For July 2011 

Page 2 of 5 

Hydropower Highlights 

 On July 7, 2011, DHL staff issued an original license to the City of Ouray for the proposed 20-kW Ouray Water Supply 

Small Conduit Hydroelectric Project No. 13797, located near the City of Ouray, Colorado. The proposed project 

would generate electricity by conveying excess water from the Weehawken Spring through an existing 1-mile-long, 6-

inch-diameter pipeline and a new 300-foot-long, 6-inch-diameter pipeline connected to a Pelton wheel turbine. The 

project would generate an average of 150,000 kWh annually. 

 On July 20, 2011, DHL staff issued a new license to Lockhart Power for the 1.9-MW Pacolet Hydroelectric Project No. 

2621, located on the Pacolet River in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. The license authorizes the construction of 

additional generating facilities to increase the installed capacity of the project by 1.1 MWs, for a total installed capacity 

of 1.9 MWs. 

 Seattle City Light filed an application on July 12, 2011, for non-capacity related amendment of license. The project is 

located on the Skagit River, in Whatcom, Skagit, and Snohomish counties, Washington. The licensee proposes to 

amend the license to construct a second tunnel between the Gorge Dam and Gorge Powerhouse. This proposal 

would increase operational capacity from 176 MW to 207.5 MW and increase annual generation by 56,000 MWh. 

 Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife filed an application on July 22, 2011, for a conduit exemption for its proposed 

Oak Springs Project No. 14235, located on its Oak Springs Fish Hatchery system, in Wasco County, Oregon. The 

project will develop 0.085 megawatts of capacity and have an average annual generation of 680,000 kilowatt-hours. 

 George Wenschhof filed on July 15, 2011, an application for a conduit application, pursuant to the Colorado MOU, for 

the Meeker Wenschhof Project No. 14230. The project will develop 0.023 MW and generate 100,000 kWh annually. 

 On July 29, 2011, Red River Hydro LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Symbiotics LLC, filed a license application for 

the proposed 78-MW Overton Lock and Dam Project No. 13160. The proposed project would be located on the Red 

River in Rapides Parish, Louisiana. The project would be located at an existing lock and dam owned and operated by 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 

 On July 18, 2011, Turnbull Hydro, LLC, of Idaho Falls, Idaho brought on line the Upper Turnbull Project, FERC No. 

12598. The project is located on the Spring Valley Canal in Teton County, Montana, and contains a single unit rated 

at 5.3 MW. This project was one year in construction. 

 On July 15, 2011, Wagon Wheel Associates began commercial generation at its Humphreys Project, FERC Project 

No. 13871. This resulted in a capacity increase of 0.310 MW for SFRO’s 5-MW exemption projects. 

 In July 2011, City of Gloversvill, NY, brought on line the Rice Reservoir, FERC No. 13635. The project is located on 

the Dixon - Rice Reservoir Conduit in Fulton County, NY, and contains a single unit rated at 25 kW. 

Hydropower Activities in July 2011 

Conventional Pumped Storage Hydrokinetic

Status

No. Capacity 

(MW) No. Capacity (MW) No. Capacity (MW) 

Total No. 

of Projects

Total 

Capacity 

(MW)

Filed 

License 1 78.000 0 0 0 0 1 78.000 

5-MW Exemption 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Capacity Amendment 1 31.500 0 0 0 0 1 31.500 

Conduit Exemption 2 0.108 0 0 0 0 2 0.108 

Issued 

License 2 1.120 0 0 0 0 2 1.120 

5-MW Exemption 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Capacity Amendment 1 7.867 0 0 0 0 1 7.867 

Conduit Exemption 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Placed in Service 

License 1 5.300 0 0 0 0 1 5.300 

5-MW Exemption 1 0.310 0 0 0 0 1 0.310 

Capacity Amendment 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Conduit Exemption 1 0.025 0 0 0 0 1 0.025 

 
Office of Energy Projects 

Energy Infrastructure Update 

For July 2011 

Page 3 of 5 

Hydropower Activities Year to Date (through July 31, 2011) 

Conventional Pumped Storage Hydrokinetic

Status

No. Capacity 

(MW) No. Capacity (MW) No. Capacity (MW) 

Total No. 

of Projects

Total 

Capacity 

(MW)

Filed 

License 9 336.423 0 0 0 0 9 336.423 

5-MW Exemption 4 1.346 0 0 0 0 4 1.346 

Capacity Amendment 7 56.250 0 0 0 0 7 56.250 

Conduit Exemption 6 6.054 0 0 0 0 6 6.054 

Issued 

License 6 48.910 0 0 0 0 6 48.910 

5-MW Exemption 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Capacity Amendment 9 34.897 0 0 0 0 9 34.897 

Conduit Exemption 4 1.725 0 0 0 0 4 1.725 

Placed in Service 

License 2 13.000 0 0 0 0 2 13.000 

5-MW Exemption 2 0.375 0 0 0 0 2 0.375 

Capacity Amendment 1 3.000 0 0 0 0 1 3.000 

Conduit Exemption 4 1.365 0 0 0 0 4 1.365 

 Source: Staff Database 

Electric Generation Highlights 

 FPL’s West County Energy Center natural gas-fired Unit 3 came online, completing the expansion at the plant. Unit 1 

and 2 had been in operation since 2009. All three units are 1,250 MW each. 

 GDF SUEZ and International Power’s Astoria Energy II plant in New York City began commercial operation. The 

entire output from the 575-MW natural gas fired plant is contracted to the New York Power Authority for 20 years. 

 The 620-MW natural gas-fired Kleen Energy Power Plant in Middletown, Connecticut is in commercial operation. The 

plant was rebuilt after a fatal explosion there last year. 

 First Wind’s 60-MW Rollins Wind Project in Penobscot County, Maine came online. This project consists of 40 GE 

1.5-MW wind turbines which will produce enough energy to power 23,000 homes per year. 

 Edison Mission Group’s 30-MW Community Wind North Project in Lincoln County, Minnesota came online. The 

energy output from Community Wind North is sold under a 20-year power purchase agreement to Xcel Energy’s 

Northern States Power Co. The project consists of 12 2.5-MW Clipper turbines that will produce enough power for 

10,000 homes. 

 Denver International Airport and Constellation Energy announced the completion of a 4.4-MW ground-mounted solar 

power system. Constellation built and will manage the solar panels and the airport will purchase the electricity 

produced by the panels for the next 20 years. This is the third large solar power project for Denver International. The 

airport now hosts a total of 8-MW of solar power producing about 6 percent of its energy demand. 

 The 3-MW Frenchtown I Solar in Hunterdon County, New Jersey came online. Frenchtown I is interconnected with 

Jersey Central Power and Light. The full energy output from Frenchtown I will be purchased by Consolidated Edison 

Energy. 

 The Emmett J. Bean Federal Center in Indianapolis has installed the largest rooftop array of solar panels in the 

Midwest. The 3.2-MW solar project consists of 6,152 Power solar panels produces electricity for use inside the 

building. 
Office of Energy Projects 

Energy Infrastructure Update 

For July 2011 

Page 4 of 5 

New Generation In-Service (New Build and Expansion)

July 2011 January – July 2011 

Cumulative 

January – July 2010 

Cumulative 

Primary Fuel Type No. of 

Units 

Installed Capacity 

(MW) 

No. of 

Units 

Installed Capacity 

(MW) 

No. of 

Units 

Installed Capacity 

(MW) 

Coal 0 0 8 835 18 4,812 

Natural Gas 3 2,445 61 7,837 58 4,204 

Nuclear 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Oil 0 0 0 0 3 5 

Water 0 0 7 19 10 19 

Wind 13 90 62 2,873 38 1,568 

Biomass 0 0 35 85 50 250 

Geothermal Steam 0 0 2 23 0 0 

Solar 10 17 87 198 28 83 

Waste Heat 0 0 1 135 3 91 

Other 0 0 9 20 0 0 

Total 26 2,552 272 12,025 208 11,033 

Source: Data derived from Ventyx Global LLC, Velocity Suite. 

Total Installed Operating Generation Capacity

Primary Fuel Type Installed Capacity (GW) % of Total Capacity 

Coal 343.61 30.13% 

Natural Gas 474.91 41.64% 

Nuclear 106.92 9.38% 

Oil 52.78 4.63% 

Water 99.17 8.70% 

Wind 42.83 3.76% 

Biomass 13.48 1.18% 

Geothermal Steam 3.40 0.30% 

Solar 1.35 0.12% 

Waste Heat 0.96 0.08% 

Other 1.04 0.09% 

Total 1,140.44 100.00% 

Source: Data derived from Ventyx Global LLC, Velocity Suite. 
Office of Energy Projects 

Energy Infrastructure Update 

For July 2011 

Page 5 of 5 

Electric Transmission Highlights 

 On July 12, the Kansas Corporation Commission approved siting for ITC Great Plains LLC’s “V Plan.” The 345-kV 

transmission project is 122 miles. Construction of the $300 million project is expected to begin in 2013 and be 

completed in 2014. 

 An Oklahoma administrative law judge recommended that the Oklahoma Corporation Commission approve a 

settlement offer that granted Clean Line Energy Partner, a transmission-only company, public utility status. This ruling 

will allow Clean Line to move forward with its plans to build the $3.5 billion Plains and Eastern Clean Line project, an 

800-mile, interstate HVDC line that will connect Texas and Oklahoma to the southeastern United States. 

 The U.S. Department of Defense has dropped its objections to the interstate SunZia transmission project. The 500-

kV, 460-mile transmission project will cross New Mexico and Arizona. SunZia’s estimated total transmission capacity 

is 3,000 megawatts for two 500 kV AC lines, or 4,500 megawatts should a hybrid configuration of one 500 kV AC line 

and one 500 kV DC line. The $800 million project is expected to be in service by the end of 2015. 

 The cities of Lancaster and Pittsburg, California are partnering with a transmission-only developer to create the High 

Desert Power Authority. The High Desert Power Authority will develop the 40-mile AV Clearview Transmission Line, 

an underground, double-circuit 345-kV line between Southern California Edison Co.’s South Base substation and a 

new substation that will connect into the Vincent-Lugo line. The AV Clearview Transmission Line will allow solar 

development in areas that are hard to reach with overhead transmission lines. 

Transmission Projects Completed Proposed Transmission Projects 

In-Service by July 2013 

July 2011 July 2010 High Probability of 

Completion All Voltage (kV) 

Line Length (miles) 

≤230 1.3 75.2 3,123.0 5,816.7 

345 0 0 4,278.9 5,697.5 

500 0 0 1,706.8 5,930.5 

Total U.S. 1.3 75.2 9,108.7 17,444.7 

Transmission Projects with a Proposed 

In-Service Date by June 2013 Transmission Projects 

Completed in July

Sources: Data derived from Staff Database and U.S. Electric Transmission Projects ©2011 The C-Three Group, LLC 

Disclaimer: This Report contains analyses, presentations and conclusions that may be based on or derived from the data sources cited, but do not 

necessarily reflect the positions or recommendations of the data providers.