Columbia Gas seeks quick approval for Intel pipeline

Mark Williams, The Columbus Dispatch
·2 min read
Clover Valley and Miller Road are among several realigned roads in the area around the Intel chip manufacturing plant in New Albany, as seen in this September photo.
Clover Valley and Miller Road are among several realigned roads in the area around the Intel chip manufacturing plant in New Albany, as seen in this September photo.

Columbia Gas of Ohio is asking for expedited state approval to build a natural gas pipeline to the site in Licking County where Intel is constructing two factories.

If approved, construction of the 4.2-mile, 12-inch diameter pipeline could begin as soon as April and be brought into service in 2024, according to the company.

"The project will allow Columbia to provide required natural gas for Intel’s planned operations as well as serve businesses that will serve or supply Intel," the company said in documents filed with the Ohio Power Siting Board, the state agency that reviews pipeline projects.

"We're excited to do our part to supply gas to Intel," said Ellen Macke, director of government and public affairs for Columbia Gas of Ohio.

Intel announced in January its plans to invest $20 billion to build two semiconductor factories in New Albany. It is the largest economic development project in state history. Intel has said the factories, calls fabs, will be finished in 2025.

Columbia is seeking an expedited review that would be completed in 90 days. Such an option is available for pipeline projects under five miles long.

More:Intel spends $111 million on 750 acres of land for its New Albany factories

Columbia blacked out the project's cost on documents filed with the Siting Board.

The pipeline would start on County Road 51, north of Evans Road, and move south to State Route 62, according to a map of the project.

From there, the pipeline would go northeast on 62 to Beech Road and then south along Beech Road to Miller Road. The pipeline would travel east on Miller to Clover Valley Road and north on Clover Valley to the site.

The project is in Harlem Township, Plain Township, Monroe Township, Jersey Township, and the City of New Albany.

The route is mostly agricultural, and Columbia says the pipeline would be built along existing right of way so as to minimize the effect from construction.

"We've worked with local municipal officials," Macke said. "We're going to have minimal land acquisition."

mawilliams@dispatch.com

@BizMarkWilliams

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbia Gas wants to start soon on pipeline to Intel site