KeySpan Energy Delivery Long Island recently announced that the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) has granted the company a certificate to construct a gas transmission line needed for the proposed Spagnoli Road Energy Center in Melville. The certificate, based on findings of environmental compatibility and public need, is contingent on whether the Spagnoli Road Energy Center is approved for construction under Article X of the Public Service Law. That decision is expected later this year.

KeySpan Energy Delivery filed an application in March to construct the underground pipeline in the towns of Babylon and Huntington. The 1.29 mile-long pipeline is needed as the exclusive source of fuel for the proposed 250-megawatt Spagnoli Road generation facility. In its granting of the certificate to construct the gas main, the PSC states that details provided in KeySpan Energy Delivery's application prove it is needed to supply fuel gas to the proposed facility and the proposed route conforms to applicable state and local laws and regulations.

KeySpan Energy Development Corporation (KEDC) is currently seeking a certificate to construct the proposed facility under Article X of the New York State Public Service Law.

"We are pleased with the Public Service Commission's findings and are confident the proposed Spagnoli Road Energy Center will serve the needs of the community and the environment," said Keyspan Chairman and CEO Robert B. Catell. "We will continue to address the concerns of the community and welcome public input and review as we follow the Article X process."

The site of the proposed electric generating facility is a 31-acre parcel of undeveloped land on Spagnoli Road in Melville, approximately a quarter mile west of Route 110. The proposed natural gas-fired facility will produce 250 megawatts, enough electricity to power 250,000 homes. If approved, construction is projected to begin in early 2003 with plans to have the plant on line by 2004.

As part of the ongoing Article X process, the NYS Departments of Public Service and Environmental Conservation and KeySpan have held numerous public hearings. KeySpan's next scheduled public hearing is Thursday, May 16 from 7- 9 p.m. at the Huntington Hilton in Melville. For more information regarding the proposed Spagnoli Road Energy Center, call KeySpan's toll-free hotline at 1-877-822-1300.