Energy partnership to route pipeline through Cape Girardeau

The nation's largest publicly traded energy partnership has announced plans to construct a 1,230-mile natural gas pipeline that will reach from Appalachia to Cape Girardeau to Texas.

Beginning in Pennsylvania, the first leg of the system built by Enterprise Products Partners L.P. would stretch 595 miles to Cape Girardeau, according to a news release.

Enterprise Products already has a terminal and pump station in Scott City that will be used as part of the pipeline, company spokesman Rick Rainey said.

"The activity in Cape Girardeau will not be that noticeable. Most of the work will be done at our terminal," he said. An expansion of the workforce at the terminal is not planned at this time, but it is possible that one or two employees may be added.

Mitch Robinson, executive director of Cape Girardeau Area Magnet, said he was not familiar with the project but that there are two existing pipelines that cross the river just south of SEMO Port. These have been in place since World War II, when they were built to supply the war effort.

The project, known as the ATEX Express pipeline, will use existing pipeline in Cape Girardeau and other areas and follow existing right of way to minimize cost and environmental impact, Rainey said.

The ethane fuel pumped through the pipeline will be used by chemical manufacturers in the Gulf of Mexico.

The company says its representatives are working with residents, landowners and community leaders along the proposed pipeline route and negotiating right-of-way agreements.

About 4,000 construction jobs are expected to be created as a result of the project, which is scheduled to be operational in the first quarter of 2014.

The company has 50,200 miles of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products and petrochemical pipelines.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

Scott City, Mo.