Port Dolphin approved for Florida LNG

TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The federal approval of a gas pipeline connection in Florida means 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day for state customers, executives said.

Port Dolphin Energy announced it received sanctioning from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to build and operate a pipeline in Florida to connect to its liquefied natural gas port in the Gulf of Mexico.

The project will deliver natural gas from an LNG port located 28 miles off the coast from Tampa Bay to mainland consumers through an undersea connection to the state pipeline system.

"The prompt action by FERC confirms our belief that this project will provide increased energy security to Florida, where additional supplies will be needed," said Jim Butcher, the top executive at Port Dolphin Energy.

Florida administrators predict a rise in natural gas demand in the state as the government abandons coal-fired plants in favor of cleaner gas alternatives for electricity.

The project will deliver as much as 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to Florida households. The company said the capacity will meet the energy demands of 15 percent of consumers in Florida.

Construction is set for a 2013 completion.