Preliminary plans announced for new pipeline

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

Begining in Pennsylvania, the first leg of the new system would stretch 595 miles to Cape Girardeau, according to a company news release.

Mitch Robinson, executive director of Cape Girardeau Area Magnet said he was not familiar with the project, but expected it may run alongside 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 new project, known as the ATEX Express pipeline, will use existing pipeline and follow existing right-of-way in an effort to minimize cost and limit environmental impact, according to Enterprise Products. The company says its representatives are working with residents, landowners and community leaders along the proposed pipeline route and negotiating right-of-way agreements.

An estimated 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 already has 50,200 miles of natural gas, NGL crude oil, refined products and petrochemical pipelines.

A call placed to Enterprise Products was not immediately returned.

The company's full news release can be found on its website: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=80547&p=irol-newsArticle&id=1644093&...