Gov. Joe Lombardo has submitted a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in support of a proposed gas pipeline expansion in northern Nevada that could increase the amount of natural gas flowing into the area by as much as four times.
The project is proposed by a subsidiary of Southwest Gas and would add roughly 800 dekatherms of capacity to a nearly 900-mile pipeline system. The letter said the expansion would support existing users and future economic development efforts, including data centers.
Lombardo has expressed support for data centers, provided they do not impact existing users’ utility rates or strain natural resources.
The pipeline currently runs from the state’s northern border to Reno-Sparks, Carson City and Lake Tahoe and averages approximately 200 dekatherms in daily transmission volume. The proposed development would add 212 miles of new or expanded pipeline and includes expansion to the Tahoe Regional Industrial Center, also known as the Tahoe-Reno Industrial Center.
The new pipeline would run for 181 miles between the existing Opal Valley interconnect with the Ruby Pipeline in Humboldt County. It would then run to a spot west of Fernley before continuing another 14 miles to the TRIC in Storey County.
TRIC has three natural gas plants scheduled to start operations in November 2028, and at least six companies, including Google and Switch, are developing facilities there.
Great Basin Gas Transmission Company, a subsidiary of Southwest Gas, submitted Lombardo’s letter to the FERC. In earlier correspondence, company officials said the area’s current natural gas supply capacity is insufficient to meet its growing demand.
If approved, the pipeline is planned to go into service in November 2028. (Source: Reno Gazette-Journal)
