The United States Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has approved Energy Transfer Partner's (ETP) request to put the Phase 1A of the US$4.2bn Rover interstate natural gas pipeline into service. As a result of the approval, the Phase 1A will commence transmission of natural gas service from Cadiz to Defiance (Ohio, US).
The Rover project is operated by Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) and will be designed to transport 3.25 bcf/d (33.5 bcm/y). The project will stretch over 713 miles (1,609 km) from the Marcellus and Utica shale fields in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia (US) up to the Canadian province of Ontario. The pipeline will interconnect with the Midwest Hub near Defiance, Ohio, where 68% of the gas will be delivered for distribution to markets across the US. The remaining 32% will supply the state of Michigan via the Vector pipeline.
Controversy has surrounded all phases of the Rover pipeline construction steps so far, including namely its route in Ohio, Michigan and now Virginia as well as concerns about environmental violations and disputes with local landowners.