Laser Northeast Gathering Company, LLC Receives Article VII Approval

ALBANY, N.Y., Feb. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- New York Public Service Commission Hearing -- Laser Northeast Gathering Company, LLC's (Laser's) Application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need to Construct a Natural Gas Gathering Line (Article VII) was approved today by the New York Public Service Commission. The application is available for review in its entirety on Laser's website at www.lasernortheast.com. Laser expects to receive the order early next week and will post it on the website as soon as it is received. This approval sets the stage for Laser to begin construction in New York as quickly as permitted by the PSC.

"We are gratified by the action taken today by the New York Public Service Commission. This approval is the culmination of much hard work and professionalism shown by the staffs at the NY DEC and the NY PSC working with Laser personnel. We are excited to begin construction on this significant project which will employ approximately 175 union workers during construction," said Laser Chairman and CEO, Thomas F. Karam.

The Susquehanna Gathering System will gather natural gas from wells tapping the Marcellus Shale formation and transport it up to 30 miles from Susquehanna County into the Millennium interstate pipeline located in Broome County, NY. Construction of the pipeline in Pennsylvania began the first week of February and is expected to be complete this summer.

"We look forward to the environmentally responsible completion of this important project that will contribute to the development of this region's clean burning natural gas resources," said Laser Northeast Gathering President, Chip Berthelot.

The project has already begun to stimulate the local economy through payments to local landowners and the use of local firms and services. To date, Laser had already added more than $20 million to the local economy. The company is committed to maximize the use of local products and services.

For more information, please visit Laser Northeast's website at www.lasernortheast.com.

SOURCE Laser Northeast Gathering Company, LLC