The planned Kelso Beaver Reliability Project will support growing energy demand in the Pacific Northwest, ensuring a resilient system capable of managing erratic winter demand.

The project includes a new electric compressor station and upgrades along an existing 18-mile pipeline connecting Williams Northwest Pipeline in Kelso, Washington, to the PGE Beaver Generating Plant near Clatskanie, Oregon.

The proposed project will provide 131,000 dekatherms per day of eastbound transportation and 52,400 dekatherms per day of westbound service, boosting reliability through access to diverse storage supply. Also, the installation of electric compression will result in lower facility emissions compared to traditional gas-driven compressors.

Each year, new peak day records are established in the region, contributing to pricing volatility and stressing operational reliability. This project will provide the required operational flexibility for load balancing during unexpected system disruptions.

Increased storage capacity will support availability of on-demand natural gas peaking facilities. These facilities will help mitigate brownouts or blackouts when power demand exceeds renewable capacity, which could occur during extreme weather events or when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.

Northwest Pipeline operates over 1,303 miles of transmission pipeline in Washington and has the capacity to transport approximately 46% of the natural gas entering the state.