Northern Gas Plans Pipeline Swap and Expansion
Published Date: 10/8/2026
Notice
Summary
Northern Natural Gas Company plans to retire old pipeline sections in Iowa and Minnesota and build new ones to keep gas flowing smoothly and add extra capacity. This project will affect local communities and the environment but aims to do so responsibly, with a decision expected after public comments by November 2, 2026. The upgrades will help deliver more natural gas reliably, supporting energy needs without major environmental harm.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Adds 79,303 dekatherms/day capacity
The Project would provide an additional 79,303 dekatherms per day of incremental firm natural gas service to replace capacity lost through abandonment. This increases pipeline capacity intended to support natural gas delivery in the affected region.
Abandonment and local construction footprint
Northern will abandon-in-place about 106 miles of the M500 A-line and 25 miles of the M500 J-line, and construct new pipeline segments including a 36-inch 8.3-mile extension, a 36-inch 2.1-mile extension, a 30-inch 7.5-mile extension, and 10 pipeline extensions totaling about 29 miles, plus compressor station uprates, two new receiver facilities, relocations/removals, and nine new valve settings. The Commission's environmental assessment states that approval would not be a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment; the public comment deadline is 5:00 p.m. ET on November 2, 2026.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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