CASE STUDIES

Guardian Pipeline Expansion Services Provided

The Client
Guardian Pipeline Expansion and Extension: G-II Project Guardian Pipeline, LLC - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Issue
Demand for natural gas in eastern Wisconsin has been growing at such a rate that existing pipeline capacity cannot supply demand. After a 15-month competitive bidding process Guardian Pipeline was selected to supply new gas transportation capacity to eastern and northeastern Wisconsin. Guardian proposed to construct approximately 120 miles of new pipeline and two electric powered compressor stations valued at $240 million and designed to provide 537 MMcf/d.

The Actions
Guardian Pipeline selected Neil Palmer & Associates to design and implement a comprehensive stakeholder consultation program and project public affairs plan. The plan included an extensive third-party support program, local government relations, media relations and landowner communications efforts. Plan strategies were designed to support route selection, landowner communications, environmental studies, regulatory filings, local permitting and construction planning.

Neil Palmer & Associates Neil Palmer & Associates managed the public announcement in January 2006 and implementation of selected consultation and communications strategies for all identified stakeholders. A variety of tactics, including direct mail, public open houses, local government meetings, press briefings and third party support programs were utilized.

Neil Palmer & Associates managed Guardian Pipeline Expansion and Extension activities through the change in ownership of Guardian Pipeline LLC and assumption of project management by ONEOK Partners LP. The G-II project filed an application with the FERC for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity in October 2006. A significant project route amendment was filed in April 2007 and the Final Environmental Impact Statement was issued in October 2007. Construction work began in May, 2008.

Neil Palmer & Associates provided expert testimony for federal condemnation proceedings and organized and implemented local and state building permit processes for Guardian’s Sycamore Compressor Station in DeKalb County, Illinois and the Bluff Creek Compressor Station in Walworth County, Wisconsin. The firm also managed land use and road crossing permits with local governments, including a third party pavement condition and repair program.

The Results
Guardian mechanical completion is expected in late 2008.