Company seeking to build natural gas pipeline through Massachusetts files environmental draft

The company that wants to build a natural gas pipeline across northern Massachusetts has filed sections of its draft environmental report, rejecting several alternatives.

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.'s second installment of its pre-filing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on Wednesday said the project requires 91 miles of new right of way and 37 miles of co-location with existing power lines. The report says the project affects 1,554 total acres for construction, affecting 357 acres of federal endangered or threatened species habitat.

The pipeline would begin around Richmond and run to Dracut.

The Recorder of Greenfield (http://bit.ly/1u2Pubf ) reports that the report rejects alternatives routes for the pipeline, which has already drawn considerable local opposition.

Supporters say the pipeline would help relieve the need for more natural gas in New England.

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Information from: The (Greenfield, Mass.) Recorder, http://www.recorder.com