FERC Opens Comments on Northern Natural Gas Pipeline Project
Published Date: 4/16/2026
Notice
Summary
Northern Natural Gas Company plans to retire an old gas pipeline and build new facilities in parts of Iowa and Minnesota. The government wants your thoughts on how this might affect the environment before making a final decision. If you live nearby or care about nature, now’s the time to speak up—comments are due by May 13, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Landowners May Be Asked to Grant Easements
If you own land near the project, Northern may contact you to negotiate an easement to construct, operate, and maintain pipeline facilities. You are not required to sign, but if the project is approved the company could use eminent domain and the court would determine compensation under state law.
Project Will Abandon and Replace Many Pipeline Miles
Northern proposes to abandon about 131 miles of pipeline in-place (approximately 106 miles on the M500 A-line and 25.4 miles on the M500 J-line) and to build multiple pipeline extensions, including 8.3, 2.1, and 7.5 mile extensions and 28.5 miles of additional pipeline for the Northern Lights 2027 Expansion. The NL27 Project would add about 79.3 dekatherms per day of incremental firm service and uprate a turbine compressor unit at the Hugo Compressor Station.
Construction Footprint and Permanent Land Use
The Ventura-to-Farmington project would use a 50- to 100-foot construction right-of-way totaling about 421 acres and maintain about 92 acres permanently; the Northern Lights project would use a 60- to 100-foot construction right-of-way totaling about 567 acres and maintain about 162 acres permanently, with about 63 acres overlapping existing footprints. Much of the non-permanent acreage would be restored after construction.
Public Scoping and Comment Deadline
FERC is opening a public scoping process and asks for comments on environmental impacts, alternatives, and mitigation; written comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 13, 2026. You can submit comments via FERC's eComment, eFiling, or by mail referencing docket CP26-130-000.
FERC Will Evaluate Specific Environmental Topics
FERC staff said the environmental document will evaluate impacts on geology and soils; water resources and wetlands; vegetation and wildlife; threatened and endangered species; cultural resources; land use; air quality and noise; and reliability and safety. The document will also consider reasonable project alternatives and mitigation measures.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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