Duke Energy Ohio modifies design and identifies preferred route for natural gas pipeline

- Pipeline size and pressure reduced after feedback from customers and community leaders

- Preferred and alternate routes announced

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Sep 13, 2016, 04:40 ET

CINCINNATI, Sept. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In response to community feedback, Duke Energy has modified its plan for the Central Corridor Pipeline Extension Project. The company is now proposing to the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) to construct a smaller natural gas pipeline that operates with less pressure.

The proposed pipeline would have a 20-inch diameter and operate at approximately 400 pounds per square inch (psi), compared with the original design, which called for a 30-inch pipe with an operating pressure of approximately 600 psi.

This newly proposed pipeline will still enable Duke Energy to retire aging propane peaking plants. It will also moderately decrease reliance on natural gas from a single source in the southern part of the company's system that has reached its maximum capacity.

Longer-term system needs will be addressed through other modernization programs to be implemented over the next decade.

"We have been listening to feedback from our customers, neighbors and community leaders," said Jim Henning, president of Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. "The reduction in size and pressure of the proposed natural gas pipeline is a direct result of this feedback."

"This new pipeline is critical for us to continue safely meeting the natural gas needs of nearly two million people in this region, both today and for generations to come," he added.

As part of today's filing with the OPSB, the company submitted two proposed pipeline routes for consideration. The preferred route identified in the application will be the eastern route and would terminate in Fairfax. The company was also required to submit an alternate route. Both routes are shown at this link. The OPSB will decide the final route and may also suggest modifications as well.

The proposed natural gas pipeline will be of similar size and pressure as other pipelines that Duke Energy operates every day to deliver natural gas to its customers. The natural gas that travels through these pipelines, including the proposed one, will only be used locally to benefit the company's 525,000 residential and business customers in the region.

"Duke Energy has a long history of providing safe and reliable natural gas to homes and businesses," said Henning. "Retiring aging infrastructure and replacing older pipelines with new materials engineered with state-of-the-art safety features and monitoring abilities is the right thing to do for our communities."

Duke Energy will construct and operate this 12- to 14-mile natural gas pipeline following industry-best engineering and safety practices and in full compliance with state and federal regulations. Currently, Duke Energy safely operates more than 14,000 miles of natural gas pipelines and service lines in its Ohio and Kentucky service territory.

For more information about the Central Corridor Transmission Pipeline Extension, see the company's website at: http://www.duke-energy.com/centralcorridor.

About Duke Energy

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

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SOURCE Duke Energy