Questions and Answers

How was the proposed pipeline route selected?
Several factors were considered to select the pipeline route, including the ability to:

• Deliver natural gas to the existing pipeline infrastructure.
• Route selected to maximize public safety by avoiding residential areas.
• Avoid or minimize potential impacts to the environment and natural resources, such as:
  • Threatened and endangered species
  • Essential fish habitat
  • Coastal ecosystems
  • State and local parks
  • Wetlands and water bodies
  • Cultural resources, such as historic artifacts
• Avoid or minimize resdential and special-use property crossings and other impacts to affected landowners and communities.
• Avoid or minimize impacts to local businesses.
• Construct the pipeline along the selected route taking into consideration capital cost, geotechnical and other related factors.
• Reasonably, reliably, and safely conduct pipeline operations and maintenance.

What type of pipeline is being proposed?
The Mid-Atlantic Express Pipeline being proposed by the AES Corporation is simply a natural gas pipeline similar to the many hundreds of miles of natural gas pipelines that already exist in Harford County serving homes, businesses, and power generation facilities. It is “similar” because the pipeline we are proposing, while larger than most of the existing pipelines in the County (we expect our pipeline to be 28 inches in diameter and carry natural gas at a pressure of about 2,200 psig), will be constructed and maintained to standards and technology significantly more advanced than those pipelines that currently run throughout the County. Specifically, we will follow the most recent versions of the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations for materials, design (yield strength, wall thickness, etc.), component requirements, worker qualifications, construction techniques (welding, inspection, depth of cover and distance to other structures, etc.), installation of corrosion and inspection controls, restoration programs and techniques, operations (surveillance, damage prevention programs, public awareness programs, etc.), and all other issues related to natural gas pipeline safety and reliability.

There is a misperception circulating in some areas of the proposed pipeline route that the pipeline will carry “liquefied” natural gas. This is not true. The misperception arises from the fact that the origin of the new supply of natural gas will be a location in Baltimore County where the natural gas will be imported in liquid form. The natural gas is imported in liquid form because it makes transport from distant areas of production economical. The liquid gas will be converted back to its more common gaseous state prior to its introduction into the proposed pipeline.

Will your pipe be placed within the existing right-of-way, or adjacent to the existing ROW?
We will try to locate the proposed Mid-Atlantic Express pipeline completely within existing utility rights-of-way (ROWs) to the maximum extent possible. Utility ROWs include sides of roadways and railways, electric transmission line corridors, other pipeline (water, sewer, petroleum, natural gas, etc.) corridors, or other setback areas. There will be some areas where the existing ROW is not wide enough to locate our proposed pipeline entirely within the ROW corridor. In such cases, we will attempt to locate our pipe on the edge of the existing ROW and use a portion of land outside of the existing ROW for our setback. Also, there will be areas along the existing ROWs we propose to follow where housing or other structures have been built closer to the existing ROW since the time the ROW was put in place. In these latter cases, in an effort to meet our objectives of maximum avoidance and impact minimization, we are exploring alternative routes that may diverge from the existing ROWs entirely.

What's the minimum distance between the new pipe and existing pipes?
Current industry standard is to maintain a separation distance of 25 feet from existing pipelines. In limited cases it may be possible to locate closer; however, the construction restrictions around existing pipelines and need to provide room for future maintenance do not allow this to be done over extended distances. Where separation distances smaller than 25 feet are required, construction restrictions typically used to ensure that the existing pipeline is adequately protected include weight restrictions on machinery or equipment that may be placed on top of the existing lines, absolute restrictions on the placement of machinery and equipment on top of the existing lines, or placement of additional cover or protective matting where construction activities may take place.

What is the minimum distance the pipe can be from a house?
Within the pipeline industry, maintaining appropriate distance from existing structures such as residences is desired, but not required. Instead of concentrating on separation distances, codified safety standards focus on design criteria, including materials used, wall thickness, operating pressure, yield strength, temperature derating factors, and many other issues relevant to the physical characteristics of the pipe. In addition, applicable codes and standards set forth fabrication and delivery procedures as well as post-construction inspection techniques. In this manner, protection of human health and property is ensured in all situations.

While not required, AES intends to maintain a separation distance no less than 50 feet between its proposed pipeline and all residences. There may be areas where a shorter distance is required due to encroachments on the existing ROWS, but these situations will be few, if any. Where the existing Columbia natural gas pipeline, which we hope to parallel for the majority of our route, approaches within 25 feet of residential areas, we will not seek to fit in between that gap.

What is the depth of cover and what determines the depth?
The depth of the pipeline will be determined principally by the criteria set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR Part 192.327). The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prescribes safety requirements for pipeline facilities and the transportation of natural gas. In Class 1 areas the minimum cover with normal soils is 30 inches (18 inches if consolidated rock is used). In Class 2, 3, and 4 locations, and under drainage ditches, public roads, and railroad crossings, the minimum cover is 36 inches (24 inches if consolidated rock is used). Where the pipeline is located in a navigable river or stream, the minimum cover between the top of the pipeline and the natural bottom is 48 inches (24 inches if consolidated rock is used).

Note: A Class 1 location is an offshore location or any class location, i.e., an area that extends 220 yards on either side of the centerline of a continuous one-mile length of pipeline, that has ten or fewer buildings intended for human occupancy. A Class 2 location is any class location unit that has more than ten but fewer than 46 buildings intended for human occupancy. A Class 3 location is any class location unit that has 46 or more buildings intended for human occupancy or an area where the pipeline lies within 100 yards of either a building or a small, well-defined outside area (such as a playground, recreation area, outdoor theater, or other place of public assembly) that is occupied by 20 or more persons on at least five days a week for ten weeks in any one-year period. A Class 4 location is any class location unit where buildings with four or more stories above the ground are prevalent. See 49 CFR Part 192.5.

There may be areas along the pipeline route where a deeper cover is warranted; for example, under rivers or streams where the sediment quality is not adequate at the minimum cover depth, through agricultural lands where clearance under plow depth is needed, or under other pipelines. The criteria used to determine these deeper covers may be enforced via local regulations, the standards of other pipeline operators, or simply good engineering practice.

Can adjacent existing pipelines and soils be tested for corrosion, damage and contaminants while you are working in the trench and have things uncovered?
AES will not conduct any testing of adjacent existing pipelines. Those pipelines, which are owned by others, carry with them the obligation of the pipeline owner to regularly test and inspect in accordance with the codes and standards applicable to the individual line or system. What we will do is maintain a safe working distance from those adjacent pipelines at all times to ensure that we do not cause any disruption or damage.

With respect to the testing of adjacent soils, land uses adjacent to the selected route will determine the need for contaminant testing. Where the proposed pipeline passes near potentially contaminated sites (Superfund, landfill areas, spill sites, etc.), which areas are determined through a database search of agency records for these programs, the need for testing must be addressed in our application submittal to FERC. Generally speaking, environmental sampling is always required when passing near potentially contaminated sites.

We will also perform geotechnical testing in the area of the pipeline once the final routing is determined in order to properly assess design considerations. In major crossing areas such as sites where we will conduct horizontal directional drilling, geotechnical testing is particularly important.

Is it true that other pipeline companies are concerned about your equipment working over their existing pipelines?
We will maintain a safe working distance from existing pipelines at all times. No heavy machinery or equipment used in connection with the construction or operation of the proposed Mid-Atlantic Express pipeline will be placed on or over existing pipelines without adequate protection of those lines and prior approval from those other pipeline owners. In cases where approval to work over existing pipelines may be given, special care will be taken to ensure that all restrictions placed on such activities by the existing pipeline owners will be adhered to strictly.

How many landowners in Harford County are directly affected by your pipeline proposal?
Mid-Atlantic Express has attempted to locate its proposed pipeline in a manner that will avoid or greatly minimize potential impacts on adjacent landowners. Use of existing utility corridors (electric transmission line ROWs, existing pipeline ROWs, sides of roadways or railways, etc.) is intended to avoid impacts to private landowners. Where existing utility corridors cannot be used completely or at all, and encroachment on private lands may be necessary, we will implement construction and restoration techniques in a manner intended to eliminate any long-term affects. For example, in agricultural areas we will use some or all of the following techniques: installation of erosion control barriers, separation of soils, removal of excess rock for at least the top 12 inches of soil, repair of irrigation systems or drain tiles, decompaction of work areas, restoration of fences and removal of temporary erosion barriers, addition of fertilizers or soil modifiers, and final grading to pre-construction contours. The entire time spent in construction and restoration work at any single area will be limited to about two weeks depending on existing conditions. Once these activities are completed, we do not expect there will be any ongoing impact to those landowners.

The survey process that is currently underway is an attempt to identify and minimize impacts that cannot be avoided. Because we are still in the process of examining route variations to meet our objectives of maximum avoidance and impact minimization, we do not have a final route identified at this time. Accordingly, we do not have an exact number of the landowners whose property will abut the project should it proceed.

Importantly, Mid-Atlantic Express will continue to work with individual home owners and businesses as the process moves forward to provide ongoing, factual, and current information. The Mid-Atlantic Express web site is a good source for answering many questions www.mid-atlanticexpress.com OR e-mail us at info@mid-atlanticexpress.com. As always, thanks for the opportunity to address your concerns.

Please see a series of pipeline-related photos that pertain to Harford County, Maryland and Dundalk, Maryland only, showing existing pipeline routes.

FALLSTON SCHOOLS

The Fallston schools are seen in the background.

The natural gas pipeline route proposed by AES (shown in yellow) passes behind the row of trees in the back of the houses on the curved road. The route then turns and follows the road but in the open field behind the houses. A distance of almost 1,000 feet is maintained between the pipeline and the closest school building. A better depiction of the proposed pipeline route is seen on the pipeline route map and on the GoogleEarth map included in this document.

The proposed route was selected because it avoids closer encroachment on residential areas. AES considered routing the pipeline to follow the Baltimore Gas & Electric Company high voltage electric transmission line that runs through the area, but upon closer investigation, the route proved to be highly congested with houses that were built close to the transmission line.

The currently proposed route maintains a balance of distance from both homes and the Fallston schools. Refer to the Mid-Atlantic Express Pipeline Q&A for a description of pipeline design standards and recommended separation distances. Examples of existing natural gas pipelines located in closer proximity to congested areas, including houses and schools, are included later in this document.

POND AT FALLSTON SCHOOL

This is another photograph of the same scene as the previous photograph, but from a slightly different angle that does not show the school buildings. The proposed pipeline route (shown in yellow) passes to the left of the drainage pond shown in this photograph. A safe distance of almost 1,000 feet is maintained between the pipeline and the closest school building. A better depiction of the proposed pipeline route is seen on the pipeline route map and on the GoogleEarth map included on the next page.

GOOGLE EARTH PHOTOGRAPH OF FALLSTON SCHOOLS

This GoogleEarth photograph shows the area of the Fallston schools. The proposed pipeline route is shown in yellow. Reference may also be made to the route map for the proposed location of the natural gas pipeline as it passes through this area. The first route map clearly shows the deviation from the existing electric transmission corridor that was being followed. The deviation was made to avoid the areas where housing had encroached close to the right-of-way.

The proposed route maintains a safe distance from both homes and the Fallston schools. Refer to the Mid-Atlantic Express Pipeline Q&A for a description of pipeline design standards and recommended separation distances. Examples of existing natural gas pipelines located in closer proximity to congested areas, including houses and schools, are shown in the photographs that follow.

SCHOOL IN CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

This photograph shows the proposed pipeline route as it passes near (less than 300 feet) a school in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Along this area of the proposed route, the pipeline parallels an existing Columbia Gas Company right-of-way, which is seen as the slightly darker-green grass covered area crossing the photograph from the upper left to the lower right. The existing Columbia right-of-way contains two natural gas pipelines: one is a 14-inch line and the other is a 10-inch line. The yellow line shows the approximate location of the existing Columbia pipeline that is closest to the school.

The proposed Mid-Atlantic Express Pipeline would be located on the side of the Columbia right-of-way away from the school.

Note that a building expansion is taking place that extends the school closer to the existing Columbia natural gas pipelines.

SCHOOL IN CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

This photograph shows another view of the Chester County school shown in the previous photograph, but from a different perspective. The darker-green grass area in the lower left portion of the photograph, which comprises the existing Columbia Gas Company right-of-way in which two natural gas pipelines (one 14-inch line and one 10-inch line) are currently located, is more apparent here than in the first photograph of the same subject. Unlike the previous photograph, the yellow line in this photograph shows the approximate location of the centerline of the Columbia right-of-way.

The proposed Mid-Atlantic Express Pipeline would be located on the side of the Columbia right-of-way away from the school.

HOUSING ADJACENT TO THE EXISTING COLUMBIA GAS LINES

This photograph shows housing that has built up around the existing Columbia Gas Company right-of-way where two natural gas pipelines are located. The pipelines are 14-inch in diameter and 10-inch in diameter. The existing pipeline right-of-way is shown in yellow. Starting at the bottom center of the photograph, both of the existing lines run just to the right of the multi-family dwelling, under the curved road, just to the right of the retention pond, and across the major road where the lines begin to veer to the left. The existing lines then veer back to the right where they separate when they get into the housing development. Finally, the lines veer back to the left and pass through the housing development on both sides.

This photograph represents the type of situation described in the Mid-Atlantic Express Pipeline Q&A where we attempt to route around the existing utility right-of-way due to the development that has encroached or is encroaching upon the existing utility right-of-way. Such practice is consistent with our objectives of maximum avoidance and impact minimization.

PARKING LOT

This photograph shows an area in Eastern Baltimore County where an existing Baltimore Gas & Electric Company right-of-way passes. The centerline of the easement is shown by the yellow line. The right-of-way contains three high voltage transmission lines (two 115 kV lines and one 230 kV line) and two natural gas pipelines (one 26-inch line and one 16-inch line). The transmission towers mark the right-of-way. The two natural gas pipelines are buried in the areas between the transmission towers.

Note the proximity of the existing commercial buildings and the residential area in the upper left corner of the photograph.

DUNDALK

This photograph shows the same Baltimore Gas & Electric right-of-way that contains the three electric transmission lines (two 115 kV lines and one 230 kV line) and the two natural gas pipelines (one 26-inch line and one 16-inch line) as the previous photograph. The yellow line shows the approximate location of the existing natural gas pipeline that comes closest to the houses.

Note the proximity of the houses to the existing pipelines. The Turner Station Community Conservation Plan (Turner Station forms a part of the Dundalk area) highlights this open area in which the same transmission lines and natural gas pipelines pass as one that is "utilized by community residents for a community gardening program."

NORTH POINT HIGH SCHOOL AND GRANGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

This photograph shows the same Baltimore Gas & Electric Company right-of-way that contains the three electric transmission lines (two 115 kV lines and one 230 kV line) and the two natural gas pipelines (one 26-inch line and one 16-inch line) as the previous two photographs. As with the previous photograph, the yellow line depicts the approximate location of the natural gas pipeline that passes closest to the houses.

Note the proximity of the pipelines to the McDonald's restaurant in the lower left portion of the photograph, the North Point High School in the center right of the photograph, and Grange Elementary school in the back.

GOOGLE EARTH PHOTOGRAPH OF DUNDALK AREA

This GoogleEarth photograph shows the Dundalk area where the two schools depicted in the previous photograph are located. The yellow line shows the path of the existing Baltimore Gas & Electric Company right-of-way in which three electric transmission lines (two 115 kV lines and one 230 kV line) and the two natural gas pipelines (one 26-inch line and one 16-inch line) are located.

This is one of many thousands of examples of existing natural gas pipelines located in close proximity to congested areas, including houses and schools. There are many similar examples throughout Harford County.

The point of this and other photographs contained in this document is to show that natural gas pipelines are common in areas of high congestion, in rural and suburban areas, and near schools and houses. The natural gas pipeline industry has an excellent safety record. This excellent record will only get better as all new pipelines that are proposed to be constructed are required to follow programs that have been created to ensure safety performance. Examples of such programs include use of more sophisticated inspection techniques and equipment to evaluate the condition of pipe in the ground, prevention programs to reduce the risk of excavation and other third party damage, and construction practices that better protect the lines from damage during and after construction.