Kern River Gas Transmission Company is committed to meeting the increasing demand for natural gas in its market areas. The Apex Expansion Project will increase the amount of natural gas transported on the Kern River system by 266,000 dekatherms or approximately 266 million cubic feet per day. When the Apex expansion is completed in November 2011, the Kern River system will be able to transport more than 2.14 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day.

The Apex Expansion Project consists of additional pipeline and compression facilities. Kern River will make every effort to minimize the impact on the environment and landowners along the rights of way, and will work closely with local municipalities and state agencies to ensure the project reflects the communities’ interests and needs.

Project Benefits

The Apex Expansion Project will do the following:

• Provide increased reliability and operational flexibility on the Kern River system through the additional looping and added compression.
• Add 266 million cubic feet per day of capacity to safely and efficiently transport natural gas.
• Increase the availability of an abundant clean fuel for the generation of electricity.
• Provide much needed take-away capacity for the increasing natural gas supplies in the Rocky Mountain producing areas.
• Provide payroll, sales, ad valorem and excise taxes to state, county and local governments along the pipeline system during and after construction.

Project Description

The project includes the installation of approximately 28 miles of new 36-inch diameter pipeline through the Wasatch Mountains in Morgan, Davis and Salt Lake counties of northern Utah, adding 78,000 incremental horsepower of compression at one new and three existing compressor stations, and replacing a compressor unit at one existing station.

• Installing additional pipeline (New rights of way and easements)
  • Approximately 28 miles of 36-inch pipeline (Wasatch Loop) – Morgan, Davis and Salt Lake counties, Utah
• Constructing a new compressor station (New rights of way and easements)
  • Milford compressor station – Beaver County, Utah
• Installing additional compression
  • Coyote Creek compressor station – Uinta County, Wyo.
  • Elberta compressor station – Utah County, Utah
  • Dry Lake compressor station – Clark County, Nev.
• Replacing a compressor unit
  • Fillmore compressor station – Millard County, Utah

Project Timeline

• Feb. 27, 2009 – Submitted Federal Energy Regulatory Commission pre-filing request
• March 24-26, 2009 – Kern River held open houses
• June 9-10, 2009 – FERC held public scoping meetings
• Nov. 2, 2009 – Submitted FERC Section 7(c) application
• March 26, 2010 – FERC issued Draft Environmental Impact Statement
• March 26-May 17, 2010 – FERC public comment period on DEIS
• April 27-28, 2010 – FERC held public comment meetings on DEIS
• Fall 2010 – Receive FERC Section 7(c) certificate (anticipated)
• Fall 2010-Fall 2011 – Construction activities (anticipated)
• Nov. 1, 2011 – Place facilities into service

About Us

Kern River Gas Transmission Company owns and operates a 1,680-mile interstate natural gas pipeline between southwestern Wyoming and Southern California. With headquarters in Salt Lake City, Kern River currently delivers 1.9 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas to expanding markets in Utah, Nevada, California and Arizona. Kern River is a subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company. 

MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, based in Des Moines, Iowa, is a global provider of energy services. Through its energy-related business platforms, MidAmerican provides electric and natural gas service to more than 6.9 million customers worldwide. These business platforms are Pacific Power, Rocky Mountain Power and PacifiCorp Energy, which comprise PacifiCorp; MidAmerican Energy Company; CE Electric UK; Northern Natural Gas Company; Kern River Gas Transmission Company; and CalEnergy. Information about MidAmerican is available at www.midamerican.com.