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Thursday, March 20, 2008

EMW Gas Association Expands Pipeline

By Laura Nesbitt
Mountain View Telegraph
    EMW Gas Association is expanding its natural gas pipeline network in the Estancia Valley area.
    "We're extending a line from near Estancia to the El Paso pipeline southwest of Estancia. This has been an ongoing project for about 15 years," said Jerry Sanchez, EMW's retiring general manager.
    "We're entering Phase 3 of the growth expansion of our system," Sanchez said.
    The original pipeline— begun in 1963— that stops in Estancia "has become small for the growth that we have experienced in the past 20 years," Sanchez said.
    Although EMW does not expect the expansion to be complete for another year or two, the company has already begun requesting proposals from engineering firms for the construction of 29 miles of gas pipeline.
    Several things must be completed before construction begins, such as an environmental survey and archaeological considerations. Also the steel to complete the pipeline must be ordered well ahead of time. "It doesn't just happen overnight. It takes a lot of research," Sanchez said.
    EMW formed in 1963 as a nonprofit to provide a reliable supply of natural gas to the Willard, Estancia and Moriarty area.
    In 1972, EMW expanded its service network to incorporate the Edgewood area.
    Currently, the company has approximately 5,000 customers and 600 miles of gas mains. The amount of gas the company sells depends on time of year and weather conditions, Sanchez said.
    Although the new Wal-Mart in Edgewood will be a customer, Sanchez said the large retail store is not the main reason for the company's expansion of its natural gas pipeline network.
    The deadline to accept proposals is 5 p.m. March 25, however, that may be extended, Sanchez said.