THE 2690-km (approx.) long Rockies Express gas pipeline (REX) from the Rocky Mountains to SE Ohio in the US is nearing completion. The project is the first pipeline to transport gas from the US’ west coast to the east coast, and is currently completing work on its third phase, REX-East; this phase will connect gas lines from Missouri to Ohio, according to REX spokesman Allen Fore. Mr Fore said REX-East is expected to become operational in November.
The entire pipeline project is costed at around $5 billion, and is the largest gas pipeline under construction in North America. Congressman Steve Driehaus (D-Ohio) said recently that the project will hopefully lower energy prices for consumers. "The more areas of supply that you can draw from in bringing natural gas into a region, the better that is for consumers," the Congressman said. "The price of electricity and the price of natural gas coming into the household is likely to go down."
According to Mr Fore, approximately 500 workers are currently laying the pipeline in Ohio, but he went on to say that 2,500 workers would be involved when construction proceeds at full capacity later this year. The State of Ohio will receive between $60 million and $80 million annually in tax revenue from the pipeline once it is operational.