Federal regulators reviewing the proposed Northeast Energy Direct pipeline are asking energy giant Kinder Morgan to consider alternate routes. But, the company sees it as part of a typical review process.FERC is requesting Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co., a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan, supply data on alternate routes for the 400-plus mile natural gas pipeline. The current route runs through Berkshire County, north of Pittsfield.
One other option runs along the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Kinder Morgan’s Vice President of Public Affairs Allen Fore says filing the project’s formal application with FERC in November started the real review process.
“Up to now it’s been a preliminary process,” Fore said. “Now the review has started and this is a perfect example of FERC taking into account questions from the public and stakeholders and asking us to provide additional information to answer those questions.”
FERC’s review of the $5 billion project is expected to take about a year.