Constitution Pipeline Company LLC announced that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued an order approving construction of its proposed 124-mile pipeline to increase natural gas supply to New York and New England markets, subject to certain conditions designed to ensure the protection of natural resources.

Assuming timely receipt of all remaining necessary regulatory approvals, Constitution Pipeline would begin construction as early as the first-quarter next year to help meet growing natural gas demand in New York and New England by the winter of 2015 or 2016.

"We're pleased that the FERC has approved construction on this key piece of natural gas infrastructure to the U.S. Northeast after a long and comprehensive review of this project," the project sponsors said in a joint statement. "Once in service, the Constitution Pipeline will provide critical access to new, domestic sources of natural gas, bolstering supply reliability and contributing toward stabilization of the prices consumers pay for energy."

The Constitution Pipeline is designed to enhance New York's natural gas supply options via an interconnect with the existing Iroquois Pipeline. Additionally, the Constitution Pipeline will provide New England markets with abundant, low-cost, cleaner energy via an interconnect with the existing Tennessee Gas Pipeline.

The Constitution Pipeline is designed to transport enough natural gas each day to serve approximately 3 million homes in the U.S. Northeast. The project involves the construction and operation of 124 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline from natural gas supply areas in northeast Pennsylvania and connecting with existing transmission pipelines in Schoharie County, N.Y. Earlier this year, Constitution Pipeline and Leatherstocking Gas Company LLC announced plans to install four delivery taps along Constitution's proposed route to facilitate local natural gas service to homes and businesses in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania.