The Patriot project will expand the company’s existing East Tennessee Natural Gas (ETNG) system in Tennessee and Virginia, and extend the system into southwest Virginia and northern North Carolina through a new 94-mile natural gas pipeline.

FERC approved ETNG’s environmental plans for the project with several minor route variations and recommended additional mitigation measures that will minimize the environmental impact of the project.  

“We appreciate the conclusion FERC staff has given the Patriot project after this thorough environmental evaluation,” said Robert B. Evans, president and chief executive officer of Duke Energy Gas Transmission. “As we move toward final approval, we will continue our outreach efforts with landowners and in the communities. We look forward to working with FERC and local, state and federal agencies to ensure the project meets all environmental regulations, as well as our own strict environmental standards.”

The FEIS is yet another milestone in the regulatory process. Earlier this year, the project received from FERC a preliminary determination that confirmed the market need for the project and a draft environmental impact statement that laid the framework for the FEIS. ETNG has asked for a final certificate from FERC this fall to meet the initial May 1, 2003, in-service date for customers.

More information on the project can be found at www.patriotextension.com.

ETNG is a unit of Duke Energy Gas Transmission, the Houston-based division of Duke Energy responsible for the company’s North American natural gas pipeline operations. Duke Energy Gas Transmission is a North American leader in developing energy infrastructure and connecting major natural gas supply basins to growing markets. The company’s natural gas operations include more than 18,900 miles of interstate transmission pipeline and 240 billion cubic feet of storage capacity in Canada and the United States. More information about DEGT is available on the Internet at www.degt.duke-energy.com.

Duke Energy is a diversified multinational energy company with an integrated network of energy assets and expertise. The company manages a dynamic portfolio of natural gas and electric supply, delivery and trading businesses – meeting the energy needs of customers throughout North America and in key markets around the world. Duke Energy, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is a Fortune 100 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available on the Internet at: www.duke-energy.com.