Assessment backs plan to upgrade natural gas pipeline

It involves nearly 6 miles of pipe through south Snohomish County. Public comments are open.

CLEARVIEW — A company is looking to upgrade nearly 6 miles of natural gas pipeline through south Snohomish County.

Northwest Pipeline wants to do the work to meet increasing demand in the region.

A recent environmental assessment concluded that the project through unincorporated Lynnwood, North Creek and Clearview would have no significant effect. The study recommends the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission make that finding official.

People can submit comments about the project to FERC until March 13.

If approvals move ahead, pipeline construction would begin in the summer of 2019 and finish the following November.

The upgrade would take place along a pipeline known as the North Seattle Lateral. It supplies Puget Sound Energy, which provides natural gas service to much of Snohomish County from Marysville south, along with parts of several other counties.

The project would replace 5.9 miles of 8-inch pipe with 20-inch pipe. It also would relocate and replace a short distance of 16-inch pipe. Other equipment upgrades are part of the plan.

The pipeline crosses about 11 miles, west to east. The upgrade would start near the intersection of Filbert and North roads in the Lynnwood area. It would follow a route south of 180th Street until reaching Yew Way in the Maltby area.

The environmental assessment looked at problems that might arise from natural and man-made disasters. It explored the potential for groundwater contamination after spills or leaks. It also tried to take into account natural hazards such as landslides and earthquakes.

Construction noise, dust and tree clearing were reviewed as well. Some concerns involved specific properties, including impacts to house foundations, drainage and septic systems.

Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465; nhaglund@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @NWhaglund.

Learn more

The environmental assessment for a proposed natural gas pipeline upgrade through parts of south Snohomish County is available online at www.ferc.gov. Use the eLibrary link. Comments can be submitted online with the site’s eFiling feature. New users must create a free account.

To search for relevant documents, or make comments, use docket numbers CP17-441-000 and CP17-441-001.

For questions about filing online, contact FERC at 202-502-8258 or FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.

Comments can be mailed to: Kimberly Bose, secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission , 888 First St. NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.

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