Spectra Energy Corp.’s, Spectra Energy Partners LP’s and Northeast Utilities’ Access Northeast Project formed an alliance with Iroquois Gas Transmission System LP, Spectra Energy said in a statement on Dec. 8. The Access Northeast Project will provide New England with additional access to natural gas supplies.

Collaboration with regional gas asset owners is a key objective for the project, which was announced in September to help address New England’s concerns about energy reliability and rising electric and gas prices. Access Northeast will move gas from the Appalachian Basin into New England.

“With FERC’s [the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s] recent issuance of a certificate approving the Constitution Pipeline Project and Iroquois’ companion Wright Interconnect Project, another major milestone in establishing a direct link to the Marcellus supply basin has been achieved,” said Jeff Bruner, president of Iroquois.

“Together, Iroquois and Spectra Energy’s Algonquin and Maritimes pipelines are directly connected to more than 70% of New England’s natural gas fired electric generation,” said Bruner.

During the project’s open season, shippers will be able to select from multiple receipt point options along the Algonquin pipeline system, including the Iroquois pipeline system at Wright, N.Y. Additionally, shippers will have the opportunity to choose from Algonquin’s receipt points with other existing interconnecting pipelines: Texas Eastern; Millennium; Tennessee Gas Pipeline; Columbia Gas; Transco; and future connections like the PennEast Project that will connect directly to Marcellus shale production in northeast Pennsylvania. Spectra Energy recently became a partner in the development of the PennEast Pipeline.