Overview
NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO - KEE is an operational gas pipeline facility in Keewatin, Minnesota, United States. It is part of the Northern Natural Gas pipeline system, a major natural gas transmission network serving the Midwest.
NORTHERN NATURAL GAS CO - KEE is a gas pipeline facility located in Keewatin, Itasca County, Minnesota, United States. The facility is part of the Northern Natural Gas pipeline system, which is one of the largest natural gas pipeline networks in the United States, spanning over 15,000 miles and serving markets in the Midwest and Great Plains. This specific facility is situated near the National Steel TBS site, indicating its role in supplying natural gas to industrial customers. The facility operates under the regulatory oversight of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) 49 CFR Part 192, which governs the safe transportation of natural gas. As part of a major interstate pipeline system, it adheres to stringent safety standards including regular inspections, cathodic protection monitoring, and integrity management programs. The pipeline infrastructure in Minnesota is critical for delivering natural gas from producing regions in the West and Canada to consumers in the upper Midwest. Environmentally, the facility plays a key role in the regional energy grid, providing a reliable supply of natural gas for heating, electricity generation, and industrial processes. The pipeline system supports energy security and economic activity in the region, while operating under environmental regulations that minimize impacts on local ecosystems and communities. Its location in Itasca County, near the headwaters of the Mississippi River, underscores the importance of spill prevention and leak detection measures to protect water resources.
Environmental context
The facility is located in Itasca County, Minnesota, an area characterized by forests, lakes, and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Proximity to waterways necessitates robust leak detection and cathodic protection systems to prevent corrosion and potential spills. The pipeline transports natural gas, which poses lower environmental risk compared to hazardous liquids, but methane leakage remains a concern. Regulatory compliance with PHMSA standards ensures regular integrity assessments and emergency response planning to protect local ecosystems and communities.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located at National Steel TBS in Keewatin, Itasca County, Minnesota, United States, with the postal code 55753.
It is a gas pipeline facility that is part of the Northern Natural Gas system, which transports natural gas from production areas to consumers across the Midwest and Great Plains.
The pipeline is regulated by the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under DOT 49 CFR Part 192, which sets safety standards for natural gas pipelines.
Gas pipelines in Minnesota must comply with PHMSA regulations, including cathodic protection to prevent corrosion, regular integrity inspections, leak detection systems, and emergency response plans.
The pipeline transports natural gas, which has lower spill risk than oil, but methane leaks can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Operators implement leak detection and maintenance programs to minimize environmental impact.
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