ANR, Vermont Gas Systems reach deal on environmental mitigation for Addison pipeline

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources has reached an agreement with Vermont Gas to minimize the impact on wetlands and other sensitive areas for the company's Addison Natural Gas Project.
Vermont Gas has proposed an underground transmission line that would bring the benefits of natural gas to southern Chittenden, Addison and Rutland counties. The first phase of the route crosses several ecologically significant natural areas, including a sand plain forest and a northern cedar swamp.
To protect these sensitive areas, Vermont Gas will use a technique known as horizontal-directional drilling for portions of the proposed 41.2 miles of Phase I of the Addison Natural Gas Project. The innovative drilling technique safely houses the pipeline as much as 30 feet underneath the sensitive areas.
"Vermont Gas is grateful to the Agency of Natural Resources for working together to find a solution that better protects sensitive areas, including wetlands and creates the framework to keep this important project moving forward," said Eileen Simollardes, vice president for Vermont Gas.
Methane Emissions Lower than Previous Estimates
The agreement between the Agency of Natural Resources and Vermont Gas was announced on the same day as the publication of a study in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences demonstrating that drilling for natural gas emits less methane gas than indicated in previous estimates.
In the first scientific review of the impact of natural gas drilling and hydro-fracturing on methane emissions at multiple sites, the study found 20 percent less methane escaping than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) had previously estimated. The independent University of Texas study, which measured the potential for greenhouse gas emissions at 190 sites, was funded in part by the Environmental Defense Fund and nine companies.
"Our goal with the Addison Natural Gas Project is to share the economic and environmental benefits of natural gas with as many Vermonters as we can, so we're pleased to see another national study showing a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions," said Don Gilbert, President and CEO of Vermont Gas. "A separate full life cycle analysis specifically for our project concluded that natural gas is 23% cleaner than fuel oil."
Vermont Gas serves more than 45,000 customers in Franklin and Chittenden counties and is currently working to bring more affordable, cleaner and safe natural gas to Addison and Rutland counties through the Addison Natural Gas Project. The company's long heritage for safe and reliable operations includes its award-winning energy-efficiency programs, which reduce energy use while saving $13 million annually for Vermont homes and businesses. For more information about the Addison Natural Gas Project, visit www.addisonnaturalgas.com.
Source: Vermont Gas Systems 9.26.2013