PNGTS is committed to preserving our environment by protecting sensitive natural resources such as:

• wetlands
• archaeological sites and cultural areas
• waterbodies
• rare, threatened, and endangered species
• aquifer systems
• unique natural habitats

PNGTS recognizes that respect and minimizing adverse effects on the environment are both important aspects of developing and operating a pipeline. This commitment was an integral component of every phase of the planning and construction of the PNGTS pipeline, and will continue throughout the operations process.

Natural Gas: The Cleanest Fossil Fuel

Natural gas is a fossil fuel extracted from wells drilled down to gas deposits. It is primarily composed of methane, a simple, non-toxic gas composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Because of its chemical composition, natural gas is the cleanest burning fossil fuel, with its principal products of combustion being carbon dioxide and water vapor. Provided below are some of the environmental advantages to the use of natural gas:

• Natural gas has fewer emissions than coal or oil. Specifically, natural gas combustion results in virtually no atmospheric emissions of sulfur dioxide or small particulate matter, and far fewer emissions of carbon monoxide, reactive hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon dioxide.
  
  

• Natural gas usage helps to reduce acid rain. Acid deposition, often called "acid rain," occurs when emission of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides react in the air with water, oxygen and other matter to form various acidic compounds. These compounds then fall to the earth in either "dry form" (such as particles or gas) or "wet form" (such as rain, snow, and fog). Wind can carry acid rain across state lines and international borders. Acid rain can have significant adverse effects on forests, aquatic life, and can aggravate human health problems.
  
  

• Natural gas usage helps to reduce the greenhouse effect. Naturally occurring gases - such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone - help to make the earth habitable for humans. But as human activities increase the levels of these chemicals in the air beyond their natural limits, the atmosphere acts much like the glass walls and roof of a greenhouse, trapping the heat of the sun. This "greenhouse" phenomenon prevents heat from escaping from the earth, thus raising the average temperature of the atmosphere.
  
  

• Natural gas usage helps to reduce smog. Smog is one of our nation's most serious air quality problems and is formed by a complex chemical reaction resulting from nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and other compounds mixing in the presence of sunlight.
  
  

Environmental Effects of Recreational Activities on the
Right-of-Way
The environmental impact of All-Terrain Vehicles

PNGTS is committed to maintaining the project right-of-way through sound environmental practices with the goal of protecting sensitive natural resources such as wetlands and waterbodies. While many recreational activities conducted along the right-of-way do not adversely affect PNGTS' environmental restorations, there are some that do. Specifically, the heavy and at times malicious use of all-terrain vehicles, off-road motorcycles, four-wheel drive trucks, and occasionally snowmobiles, have damaged vegetation and erosion control devices along the pipeline right-of-way. Although PNGTS supports the environmentally friendly and responsible use of the right-of-way, PNGTS does not have the right to grant or deny access for recreational purposes, motorized or otherwise. Ultimately, it is up to each landowner to decide whether to allow or prohibit such activities along their portion of the right-of-way.

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Portland Natural Gas Transmission System
One Harbour Place - Portsmouth, NH 03801 - Telephone: 603-559-5500 - Fax: 603-427-2807

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