MichCon Announces Jamestown Pipeline Plan

Two-year project will provide western Michigan with future gas supply 


HUDSONVILLE, Mich., April 26  /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. (MichCon) today announced a two-year project to install a new natural gas pipeline in West Michigan that will increase gas supplies and help meet future market demand spurred by residential and business growth.

Construction of the 16.3-mile Jamestown Pipeline will begin in June and be completed in the 2008 construction season. It will run through Ottawa and Kent counties, Jamestown and Byron townships, and the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood.

"This project, in addition to providing Western Michigan with an ample natural gas supply for years to come, will also enhance the safety and reliability of the gas supply to the southern Grand Rapids area," said Jerry Norcia, MichCon executive vice president. "By installing a new pipeline in an existing utility right-of-way, we will minimize the impact to the environment and the potential for third-party damage."

About 92 percent of the pipeline will be built in an electrical transmission tower right-of-way, which also will minimize the construction impact to traffic on local streets and highways.

The $70 million project will provide immediate economic benefits and long- term property tax benefits. In addition to the pipeline, the project will involve construction of a meter and odorization station in Hudsonville, a pressure reduction station in Byron Township and two additional interconnections to the MichCon distribution system.

"Even though construction this year will be in a mostly rural area, we want to assure our customers that we'll communicate when construction starts in their area," Norcia said. "As always, we'll be especially attuned to the environmental and safety impacts of the project."

MichCon is a subsidiary of DTE Energy, a Michigan-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. MichCon serves 1.3 million customers with natural gas service in 550 Michigan communities.  Information about DTE Energy is available at http://www.dteenergy.com/. 

DATASOURCE: MichCon



CONTACT:  Scott Simons, [phone], Lorie N. Kessler,

[phone], both of DTE Energy



Web site:  http://www.dteenergy.com/

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