TULSA, Okla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ) today reported that construction is officially underway in Pennsylvania on the greenfield portion of the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project – an expansion of the existing Transco natural gas pipeline to connect abundant Marcellus gas supplies with markets in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern U.S.

Construction broke ground in Pennsylvania Sept. 15, 2017, in Columbia and Wyoming counties as site preparation began for two new natural gas compressor facilities. Compressor Station 605 is a new 30,000-horsepower facility in Clinton Township (Wyoming County, Pa.), being constructed by VEC, Inc., while Compressor Station 610 is a new 40,000 horsepower facility in Orange Township (Columbia County, Pa.) being constructed by LMC Industrial Contractors, Inc. Construction began last spring on the mainline portion of the Atlantic Sunrise project designed to accommodate bi-directional flow on the existing Transco pipeline system. A portion of the capacity created by these mainline modifications was recently placed into service.

“We are pleased to break ground on the greenfield component of this important project which will leverage existing energy infrastructure to deliver economic growth and help millions of Americans gain access to affordable Pennsylvania-produced clean-burning natural gas,” said Alan Armstrong, Williams’ president and chief executive officer. “We have worked diligently with stakeholders during this multi-year process to develop this project in a manner which not only meets, but often exceeds already high industry standards as reflected by the approval of state and federal permitting agencies following their lengthy and thorough review of this project.”

Williams has worked closely with permitting agencies to minimize environmental and stakeholder impacts, making modifications to more than half of the original pipeline route. In addition, Williams has worked with local stakeholders to provide an additional $2.5 million for conservation projects located within the project area.

With all necessary permits and construction releases in place, Williams plans to begin pipeline construction in Pennsylvania as early as Sept. 25, 2017. Pipeline construction will consist of eight different construction spreads, six of which will be working concurrently in eight Pennsylvania counties. The 186-mile pipeline installation will be completed by four primary construction contractors (Henkels & McCoy, Inc., Latex Construction Company, Inc., Michels Corporation and Welded Construction).

“As we begin construction of the greenfield facilities, we are committed to installing this infrastructure in a safe, environmentally responsible manner and in full compliance with rigorous state and federal environmental permits and standards,” said Micheal Dunn, Williams’ executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Our construction personnel are experienced, highly-qualified professionals who have undergone extensive training to ensure that this important project is installed safely and responsibly.”

Pipeline and compressor station construction is anticipated to last approximately 10 months, weather permitting. The nearly $3 billion project, which is designed to increase natural gas deliveries by 1.7 billion cubic feet per day, is scheduled to be placed into full service in mid-2018.

"Our union members have supported the Atlantic Sunrise project throughout the three-year permitting process and we are thrilled that construction is now underway. We can now make good on our promise to install this massive energy infrastructure project in a safe, responsible manner,” said Dave Horn, LECET business development, LiUNA. “This step forward shows that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is serious about job growth, expanding the manufacturing industry and providing families and businesses access to an abundant and affordable natural gas supply. This project will not only benefit the construction trades unions that will build this project, but will also provide direct economic benefits to communities in the project area and the Commonwealth."

During peak construction periods, the project is anticipated to directly employ approximately 2,300 people in 10 Pennsylvania counties. In addition, the project could support an additional 6,000 jobs in related industries and generate up to $1.6 billion in economic activity, according to researchers at Pennsylvania State University.

Williams is making it easy for its contractors to purchase goods and services from local businesses, last week launching a new mobile app – known as WillShop Local – to help connect construction personnel with local service providers.

Additional information about the Atlantic Sunrise project can be found at www.williams.com/atlanticsunrise.

About Williams & Williams Partners

Williams (NYSE: WMB) is a premier provider of large-scale infrastructure connecting U.S. natural gas and natural gas products to growing demand for cleaner fuel and feedstocks. Headquartered in Tulsa, Okla., Williams owns approximately 74 percent of Williams Partners L.P. (NYSE: WPZ). Williams Partners is an industry-leading, large-cap master limited partnership with operations across the natural gas value chain including gathering, processing and interstate transportation of natural gas and natural gas liquids. With major positions in top U.S. supply basins, Williams Partners owns and operates more than 33,000 miles of pipelines system wide – including the nation’s largest volume and fastest growing pipeline – providing natural gas for clean-power generation, heating and industrial use. Williams Partners’ operations touch approximately 30 percent of U.S. natural gas. www.williams.com

Portions of this document may constitute “forward-looking statements” as defined by federal law. Although the company believes any such statements are based on reasonable assumptions, there is no assurance that actual outcomes will not be materially different. Any such statements are made in reliance on the “safe harbor” protections provided under the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Additional information about issues that could lead to material changes in performance is contained in the company’s annual and quarterly reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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