The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the application to construct the Northern Access 2016 Project, which expands the interstate gas pipeline systems of National Fuel Gas Supply Corp. and Empire Pipeline Inc., a Feb. 4 press release said.

Northern Access Project will transport domestically-produced natural gas and provide low-cost, reliable energy for residential and commercial customers throughout the North American pipeline system.

About 97 miles of new pipeline will be constructed in McKean County, Pa., and in Allegheny, Cattaraugus and Erie counties, N.Y. About 2 miles of new pipeline will be constructed in Niagara County, N.Y.

Also, compression facilities at an existing compressor station in Erie County will be added, and a new compressor station and a new dehydration facility, both in Niagara County, will be built. The pipeline will be integrated with the existing National Fuel pipeline network, providing increased reliability to western New York’s natural gas markets.

Once completed, the Northern Access Project will provide 490,000 dekatherms per day of incremental firm transportation capacity on Supply. Of that, 140,000 dekatherms per day will be delivered to the Tennessee Gas Pipeline 200 Line. The remaining 350,000 dekatherms per day will be delivered to Empire’s pipeline system, providing access to New York state, Canadian, Northeast and Midwest U.S. markets.

The Northern Access Project will have a direct and indirect economic impact of more than $930 million, with about $735 million taking place in New York state.