A pipeline that would bring more natural gas to Snohomish County but has drawn the ire of Lake Stevens residents has received a key approval, and construction could start in June.
If state Department of Ecology and Snohomish County officials approve Williams Northwest Pipeline’s plans, the 9 1/2mile line will follow Christine Creek from Lake Stevens to Port of Everett property at the north end of Everett. The pipeline is expected to cost $24 million to build.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the project last week.
If built, the gas delivered by the pipeline will be purchased by Puget Sound Energy, which needs more capacity to deliver natural gas to Snohomish County, company spokeswoman Dorothy Bracken said.
Residents along Christine Creek have opposed the pipeline because they say it will destroy their quality of life and hurt property values.
"You just hope to heck you’re not at the wrong place at the wrong time," said Clayton Carnell of Lake Stevens.
Carnell said the pipeline would divide his property, which would make plans to subdivide the land and sell it much more difficult.
Beverly Chipman, a spokeswoman for Williams, said the company has tried to be responsive to those who live along the potential route. She said the route FERC approved avoids most of the homes in the area.
Originally, the pipeline was to be underground, but Williams officials determined that was unfeasible, Chipman said.
Williams received approval from the Department of Ecology to dig a trench along Christine Creek after alternate routes were ruled out, including a Highway 92 utility corridor.
Chipman said Williams would be required to rehabilitate portions of the stream that it digs up.
Bracken said existing natural gas lines don’t have enough capacity to serve all of Snohomish County, and customers in the Lake Stevens area are in danger of having their heat shut down on cold days, when demand skyrockets.
"This pipeline is meant to serve existing demand," she said.
The pipeline had been proposed to serve a natural gas-fired power plant that was to be built on Port of Everett property.
When that plan fizzled, Puget Sound Energy stepped in and said it would buy the natural gas if Williams would build the pipeline.
Reporter Lukas Velush: 425-339-3449 or lvelush@heraldnet.com.
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