Columbia Gas Targets Feb 2027 for Storage Abandonment Approval
FERC schedules a November 2026 environmental assessment for Columbia Gas's proposed retirement of 57 wells across West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
Key points
- FERC plans to issue the environmental assessment for Columbia Gas's storage abandonment by November 30, 2026.
- The project involves retiring 57 wells and a compressor station across West Virginia and Pennsylvania.
- Federal agencies have until February 28, 2027, to make their final authorization decisions.
Columbia Gas Transmission LLC is moving to retire its Majorsville-Heard Storage Complex, with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) setting a firm timeline for the environmental review. According to a notice published by pgjonline.com, the agency plans to issue the environmental assessment by November 30, 2026, which triggers a 90-day decision deadline for federal permitting authorities, expiring on February 28, 2027.
The company filed its application in May 2026 under Docket No. CP26-527-000, citing that the facilities are no longer required to meet its current firm service obligations. The proposed abandonment covers three distinct storage fields spanning Marshall County in West Virginia and Greene and Washington Counties in Pennsylvania, marking a significant reduction in the operator's active infrastructure footprint in the region.
Scope of Facility Retirement
The project includes the decommissioning of 57 injection and withdrawal wells, 14 observation wells, and the Majorsville Compressor Station. Columbia also proposes to abandon all associated pipelines and aboveground appurtenances, along with the base gas remaining at the fields. This comprehensive removal aims to eliminate the operational burden of assets that no longer contribute to the company's delivery commitments.
Regulatory Process and Public Input
Following the initial application, FERC issued a Notice of Application on June 5, 2026, and opened a scoping period on June 30, 2026. The agency solicited comments from affected landowners, tribal governments, and state and local agencies regarding potential environmental impacts. No comments were received in response to the scoping notice, allowing the review process to proceed without public objection at this stage.
Upcoming Decision Timeline
The docket currently includes three filings since June, and FERC stated it will issue additional notices if the review schedule changes. The November 30 deadline for the environmental assessment is critical, as it initiates the statutory clock for federal agencies to make their authorization decisions by the end of February 2027. This schedule aligns with standard procedures for Section 7(b) Natural Gas Act proceedings.
