Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement ProjectWashington, Greene and Allegheny Counties, Pennsylvania

Committed to our customers and the communities that we serve.

Who We Are Columbia Gas Transmission is an interstate natural gas pipeline system consisting of approximately 12,000 miles of transmission pipeline and associated compressor stations. Our customers include local gas distribution companies, energy marketers, electric power generating facilities and hundreds of industrial and commercial end users.

What We Do We are engaged in the business of transporting and storing natural gas under authorizations granted by the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Columbia Gas Transmission does not buy, sell, produce or explore for natural gas. Our processes are focused on transporting natural gas from one place to another and safely storing gas so it can be made available to our customers.

Working With Communities Public input is a critical part of the Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement Project. In addition to providing project details to landowners, local officials, the news media and others, Columbia Gas Transmission will host an informational session where members of the public can interact with our team of project engineers and environmental specialists.

Our community relations staff, led by Sarah Barczyk, is available to answer your questions. Please contact Sarah toll free at 888-499-3450 and visit our website for more information.

www.cpg.com

WE KNOW THE REGION. YOU KNOW US.

Our Commitment to Safety Operating safely is at the core of everything we do. Through more than a century of operating experience and technological innovation, our companies and partners in the natural gas pipeline industry have developed one of the safest and most reliable energy transportation networks in the world.

Our employees work daily to maintain a safe pipeline system by adhering to comprehensive federal safety standards, educating and working with local stakeholders, carefully planning construction projects, and closely monitoring our facilities to find problems before they become safety concerns.

Safe by choice, not by chance

“

“

Investing in Pennsylvania’s Energy Infrastructure

The proposed Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement Project includes the replacement and modernization of

approximately 32 miles of bare steel pipeline.

This roughly $138 million investment will bring new construction jobs to

Southwest Pennsylvania and additional tax revenue to local communities while

providing a more safe and reliable delivery system for our customers

throughout the region.

Bare steel pipelines were widely installed throughout the country for

the transmission of natural gas until the 1970s. Current standards require the

use of corrosion resistant materials that improve the overall safety, integrity and reliability of the pipeline. The proposed

Tri-County Replacement Project is part of Columbia Gas Transmission’s

comprehensive pipeline infrastructure investment plan that replaces aging

infrastructure to improve public safety, customer reliability and service.

Partnering With Landowners, Protecting the Environment For decades, we’ve worked with communities across our company footprint to ensure that questions are answered and needs are addressed. Our Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement Project team will be working closely with landowners and local officials in the area to make certain they are informed of the process. From the initial civil and environmental surveys we conduct to ensure our project is constructed safely and with minimal environmental impact, to the careful post-construction land restoration activities we implement, our infrastructure investments are designed with long-term community partnerships in mind.

Environmental stewardship is not only a critical component of our day-to-day operations, it is central to the Tri-County Bare Steel Replacement Project design and approval. Our environmental permitting team will be working closely with federal and in some cases state natural resource protection agencies to minimize our impact on local land and resources.

BUILDING STRONG, STABLE COMMUNITIES

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

What is the Tri-County Replacement Project?The proposed Tri-County Replacement Project includes the replacement and modernization of approximately 34 miles of bare steel pipeline.

Why do bare steel pipelines need replacing?Bare steel pipelines were widely installed throughout the country for the transmission of natural gas until the 1970s. Current standards require the use of corrosion resistant materials that improve the overall safety, integrity and reliability of the pipeline. The proposed Tri-County Replacement Project is part of Columbia Gas Transmission’s comprehensive pipeline infrastructure investment plan that replaces aging infrastructure to improve public safety, customer reliably and service.

Has the location of the pipeline been determined?Preliminary routes for the new pipeline have been identified; however, they are subject to change. Columbia Gas Transmission is committed to working with landowners, communities and other interested stakeholders to identify potential locations that minimize the impact of the pipeline on the community and the environment.

Will I be notified if the pipeline is going to affect my property?Yes. Landowners with property that may be affected by the proposed route will be contacted early-on by a Columbia Gas Transmission Land Representative and will be notified in advance of the need to conduct property surveys.

What is an easement?In order to construct a project, Columbia Gas Transmission must obtain an easement from the landowner granting the right to maintain and operate interstate natural gas facilities. The easement is a recorded land rights transfer that conveys to Columbia Gas Transmission limited rights for a specific purpose; in exchange for which the landowner is compensated.

What size will the easement be?The amount of land required for the easement will vary for each tract of land depending on a number of factors. A Columbia Gas Transmission Land Representative will discuss the land requirements during one-on-one easement conversations. Typically, a 50-foot wide permanent easement for operation and maintenance of the pipeline will be needed, supplemented by an additional width (a minimum of 25 ft wide) for temporary construction use. The total width of the construction workspace will vary depending on such factors as slope, soil conditions and regulatory requirements. In certain locations, a portion of the workspace may overlap the rights of way for existing pipelines. All temporary workspace will revert to the landowner upon completion of construction, with no restrictions.

Will construction vehicles be used on my land?Yes. Vehicles of various types are required for movement of equipment and materials, grading and clearing as necessary, trenching, backfilling, testing and ultimately restoration. All construction activities will be restricted to the Right Of Way (ROW), approved access roads and temporary workspace areas granted during easement negotiations.

What precautions will be taken to prevent the subsoil from mixing with the topsoil?Columbia Gas Transmission will discuss with each landowner their specific needs for topsoil conservation and make every effort to accommodate those needs. Arrangements of that type will be committed to in writing.

Can I still use my land?Yes. As a landowner you will still own your property. An easement does not transfer title of the land to Columbia Gas Transmission; it merely grants Columbia Gas Transmission the right to use the land for the specific purposes stated in the easement. After construction of the pipeline, most uses of the surface of the land may continue that are consistent with the rights granted to Columbia Gas Transmission.

Columbia Gas Transmission encourages open communication with all of its neighbors on every project. We recognize your right to know and your right to understand what is occurring on or near your property. We want you to know what we are proposing and how you can participate in the process.

The frequently asked questions and answers below have been developed to further support our commitment to keeping you informed. In addition, a Toll-Free Information Line: (888) 499-3450 has been established to field inquiries at no cost to the public. Calls or messages received at this number will be responded to directly, or referred for response to an appropriate member of the Tri-County Replacement Team. We will always take the time to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Tri-County Replacement ProjectCommitted to our customers and the communities that we serve

Understanding Engineering, Environmental and Cultural Resource Surveys

Whether planning new facilities or repairing existing ones, Columbia Gas Transmission first takes steps to make sure that they are planned, designed and constructed in a way that protects natural and cultural resources for future generations. We do this by having trained and experienced personnel gather critical information before the building process starts.

Survey ProceduresMany of our survey procedures are coordinated with the regulations and standards found within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) energy project review process, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) pipeline safety protocols, or in important environmental and cultural resource protection laws such as the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). Before beginning any survey, Columbia first notifies landowners of their intent and need to analyze a particular area where a facility may be located. Typically, these surveys involve small crews of technicians (engineers, biologists and archaeologists) who evaluate potential routing options and study areas that may be impacted if a pipeline project is ultimately approved and implemented.

Typical activities that take place during these surveys include the following:

Engineering SurveysEngineering surveys are designed to evaluate potential facility locations and construction work areas with an eye toward maximizing safety and minimizing impacts to the surrounding community. These surveys may take into account factors such as physical terrain and slope, operational requirements, access to work areas or roads and proximity to other facilities.

Biological SurveysBiological surveys document vegetation types, determine the likelihood of encountering endangered or threatened species, and identify the location of streams and wetlands. Biological surveys typically involve a “walkover” by a qualified survey team. Sometimes, to determine the presence or absence of wetlands, our biologists may use a small diameter soil probe to evaluate soil conditions. Soil probes are used to extract small diameter columns of soil from potential wetland locations. Once removed, the soil is examined on site and promptly returned.

Archaeological SurveysArchaeological surveys are designed to identify cultural or historic resources, and can be more involved thanbiological assessments. Prehistoric artifacts are often found buried beneath the ground surface. Therefore, small excavations are required to conduct an adequate survey.Generally, “shovel tests” are required to be performed at pre-established intervals (such as every 50 feet). Shovel tests can measure up to about 20 square inches and are excavated to varying depths depending on soil structure. In lawns or other landscaped areas, our teams take special care to remove and separate sod and topsoil so it can be promptly replaced once the excavation is completed. If any recovered artifacts are found, they are considered property of the landowner and are returned after they are studied and catalogued.

We are sensitive to the intrusions these activities pose to landowners and strive to minimize the number and duration of visits made by our survey crews. In circumstances where follow-up visits are required, we will consult with landowners about proposed survey activities that were not originally anticipated or described. We will always take the time to answer your questions and address your concerns. Please contact our Toll-Free Information Line at (888) 499-3450 for more information.

Calls or messages received will be responded to directly, or referred for response to the appropriate member of the project team. Inquiries or contacts will be logged and monitored to identify issues and trends, and to ensure timely responsiveness to stakeholder concerns.

Tri-County Replacement ProjectCommitted to our customers and the communities that we servePipeline Group

ColumbiaPipeline GroupColumbia