Gas Company Plans Pipeline Swap in Midwest
Published Date: 5/21/2026
Notice
Summary
Northern Natural Gas Company plans to retire an old pipeline and build new ones in Iowa and Minnesota to boost natural gas capacity by over 79,000 dekatherms daily. The government will review the environmental impact and expects to finish this by the end of 2026. This affects local communities and energy users, aiming for smoother, stronger gas service without surprises on timing or costs.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Pipeline adds 79,303 dekatherms/day
Northern Natural Gas Company’s project would add 79,303 dekatherms per day of incremental firm natural gas service by building new pipeline segments in Iowa and Minnesota. The project replaces capacity lost from abandoning 131 miles of 16‑inch pipeline and includes specific new pipeline mileage and facilities in those states.
Landowner compensation and property concerns
Three landowners submitted comments raising concerns about compensation, diminution of property value, agricultural and structural effects, and the extent and duration of construction and restoration. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says all substantive comments on these topics will be addressed in the Environmental Assessment.
Environmental review schedule and comment period
FERC staff will prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project, issuing the EA on October 2, 2026, with a 30-day public comment period, and a 90-day federal authorization decision deadline of December 31, 2026. If the schedule changes, FERC will provide additional notice.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17101, Georgia Power Company; Notice of Application for Temporary Variance Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Georgia Power Company asked for a temporary change to rules at their Flint River Hydroelectric Project in Georgia. This could affect water quality rules and needs approval from state agencies. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before any decisions are made.
2026-17103, Seefeld Corporation: Notice of Application for Surrender of Exemption Accepted for Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Protests
Seefeld Corporation wants to give up its special exemption for the Smith Creek Hydroelectric Project in Washington. This change could affect local water quality rules and needs approval from the Washington Department of Ecology. People have until September 17, 2026, to share their thoughts or get involved before the decision moves forward.
2026-16925, Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-725U); Comment Request; Extension
In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is soliciting public comment on the currently approved information collection FERC-725U (1902-0274), Mandatory Reliability Standards for the Bulk Power System; CIP Reliability Standards. There are no proposed changes to the reporting requirements. The comment period ended on July 27, 2026, with no comments received.
2026-16739, Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC, Venture Global CP Express, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed CP2 LNG Expansion Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions
2026-16616, Regulatory Agenda
We are publishing our regulatory agenda (the Agenda) in accordance with Public Law 96-354, "The Regulatory Flexibility Act," and Executive Order 12866, "Regulatory Planning and Review." FERC's complete Agenda, available on OMB's website at https://www.reginfo.gov, is a compilation of all rulemaking activities on which we have recently completed action or have proposed or are considering action. Our last Agenda was provided in May 2025 and in this current agenda, we have listed 42 rulemaking activities. We also note that the Agency has one inactive rulemaking that is not listed in this Agenda. This issuance of our Agenda contains ten (10) Pre-Rules, eleven (11) Notice of Proposed Rules, eight (8) Final Rules, and thirteen (13) Completed activities. Four (4) rulemakings are Section 3(f)(1) Significant; two (2) are Other Significant; one (1) is a routine rulemaking activity; two (2) are administrative, and thirty-two (32) are Substantive, Nonsignificant rulemaking activities.
2026-16637, Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new filings from several natural gas pipeline companies about rate changes and rule updates. These changes could affect pipeline rates starting as soon as July 9, 2026, and some compliance updates kick in January 1, 2027. If you want to speak up or get involved, you need to comment by late August 2026.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-10226, Sugar River Power LLC; Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, and Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process
Sugar River Power LLC is moving forward to get a license for their Lower Village Hydroelectric Project on the Sugar River in New Hampshire. They’ve started the official process, including sharing plans and working with wildlife and historic groups to keep things safe and respectful. This means local communities and nature will be involved as the project moves ahead, with key steps happening through 2026 and beyond.
Next: 2026-10228, Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment
Duke Energy Carolinas wants to renew the license for its Bad Creek Pumped Storage Project near Lake Jocassee, South Carolina. The government will prepare an environmental assessment to make sure the project won’t harm the environment, and they’ll ask the public to share their thoughts. This review will happen soon, with a 30-day comment period starting in early May 2027.