HOUSTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Tractebel North America, Inc. ("TNA"), a
business unit of Tractebel Electricity & Gas International, one of the three
business divisions of SUEZ (NYSE: SZE), announced that the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) had issued its final environmental impact
statement (FEIS) for the Tractebel Calypso Pipeline Project on Friday,
January 23. The FEIS evaluates the potential environmental effects of the
construction and operation of the U.S. portion of the proposed project and
concludes that the project can be built with limited impact to the environment.
The FEIS is the last remaining step before FERC issues its Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity, signifying its authorization to construct
the project, which Tractebel expects to receive shortly.
In August, Tractebel Calypso received its draft environmental impact
statement (DEIS). As part of the routine process, FERC held a public meeting
and received comments on its DEIS prior to issuing the final statement. The
final environmental impact statement reflects consideration of all public
comments that were submitted following the release of the DEIS.
"We're pleased with the Commission's conclusions, and are ready to move
forward," said Paul Cavicchi, President and CEO of Tractebel Project
Development, Inc. ("TPDI"), the development subsidiary of TNA. "After a
comprehensive and careful review of routing and environmental issues, FERC's
green light further underscores our commitment to build this project in a
sound and environmentally prudent manner," he said. "We're one step closer to
bringing the Calypso project to Florida, a project that will provide clean
burning-natural gas to meet Florida's increased fuel needs by 2007."
The proposed Tractebel Calypso project will transport natural gas via
pipeline from the planned Tractebel Calypso Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
storage and regasification facility in Freeport, Grand Bahama. The pipeline,
originating in Freeport, would make landfall at Port Everglades with another
6.2 miles of onshore pipeline ending at the Florida Gas Transmission system
tie-in adjacent to FPL's Fort Lauderdale plant. It will transport
approximately 832 million cubic feet of natural gas into Florida per day.
According to the Florida Public Service Commission, the state's
electricity demand is expected to increase 25 percent in the next five years.
The Tractebel Calypso pipeline is designed to satisfy about 40 percent of
Florida's projected increase in electric generation capacity over the next
10 years.
Prior to this environmental review, Tractebel Calypso also received its
Preliminary Determination (PD) from FERC on non-environmental matters to build,
own and operate the natural gas pipeline. In issuing the PD, FERC assessed
the market demand and confirmed the growing need for natural gas in the
Florida market. In addition, Tractebel Project Development recently completed
a comprehensive geotechnical study of the pipeline route to further ensure
minimal impact to the environment.
Cavicchi noted that the issuance of both the PD and EIS is the result of a
collaborative effort between Tractebel officials, government agencies, and the
local communities. In addition to its FERC application, Tractebel Calypso has
filed numerous permit applications with federal, state and local agencies
including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, Broward County, U.S. Minerals Management Services and the State
Historic Preservation Office. They have also completed key negotiations with
officials from the U.S. Navy, John U. Lloyd State Park and Port Everglades,
which approved the proposed route that traverses through their property.
"We appreciate all the input we have received from the FERC staff, from
state and local officials, and from landowners," said Cavicchi, adding, "With
30-plus years of experience in the LNG business, with our engineering and
design expertise, and with our proven track record, Tractebel North America is
uniquely positioned to construct and operate this project both in Florida and
in the Bahamas."
Tractebel Calypso has received its Approval in Principle from the
Government of The Bahamas and is awaiting their final approval of its
Environmental Impact Statement. To date, Tractebel has supplied nearly half
of all of the United States' imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Upon approval, construction is scheduled to begin in 2004 with active
transport of natural gas in 2007. For more information on the Tractebel
Calypso Natural Gas Pipeline, visit http://www.tractebelcalypso.com .
About Tractebel North America, Inc.
The Tractebel Calypso Pipeline, LLC is a project of Tractebel North
America, Inc. (TNA). Based in Houston, TNA is a business unit of Tractebel
Electricity & Gas International and is responsible for managing Tractebel
EGI's positions within the energy value chain in the US, Mexico, and Canada,
including electricity generation and cogeneration, natural gas and LNG, asset-
based trading and origination, and energy sales and related services.
TNA owns and/or operates a total of 61 power, cogeneration, steam, and
chilled-water facilities that represent a capacity* of more than 5,807 MW of
electricity generation, 12 million pounds per hour of steam, and 147,000 tons
per hour of chilled water. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Tractebel LNG North
America, owns and operates an LNG receiving terminal in Everett, Massachusetts,
which commenced operations in 1971 and currently serves most of the gas
utilities in New England and key power producers, meeting between 15-20% of
New England's annual gas demand.
In Mexico, Tractebel operates three natural gas distribution companies,
located in Guadalajara, Queretaro and Tampico. Tractebel also operates
cogeneration plants in Tampico and Monterrey and is the only company in Mexico
with the capacity to offer integrated solutions regarding natural gas,
electricity and energy-related services.
Tractebel Electricity & Gas International is one of the 3 business
divisions of SUEZ, an international industrial and services Group that
provides businesses, public authorities and individuals with innovative
solutions in Energy and the Environment.
Based in Brussels, Tractebel EGI offers global solutions in energy and
services to customers in North America, the southern cone of Latin America,
Southeast Asia and the Middle East. It develops, builds and operates energy
facilities both in electricity and gas, including liquefied natural gas (LNG).
It transports and distributes natural gas and LNG in several countries outside
Europe.
Tractebel EGI is also active as a trader around its assets and as a
marketer in electricity and gas, and offers energy related services to
industrial and commercial customers.
Tractebel EGI has a strong presence in its markets with a total power
capacity* of nearly 28,000 MW, and a gas transport capacity of 15 billion m3/y.
In 2002 EGI sold nearly 69,000,000 MWh of power, 11.89 billion m3 of gas and
more than 60 million tons of steam to industrial and residential customers
worldwide.
In 2002 Tractebel EGI booked a turnover of 3,732 million euros.
*In operation, under construction, in development
SOURCE Tractebel North America, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.tractebelcalypso.com
CONTACT:
Paula Rockstroh of Tractebel North America,
Inc., +1-713-636-1962, or fax, +1-713-636-1916, or
prockstroh@tractebelusa.com
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