RICHMOND, Va., June 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dominion (NYSE: D) today announced that its natural gas transmission and storage subsidiary, Dominion Transmission, has reached a 15-year agreement with the gas subsidiary of CONSOL Energy Inc. for firm transportation of CONSOL's Marcellus shale natural gas production.

The project, capable of transporting 200,000 dekatherms per day, will move supplies from various receipt points in central and southwestern Pennsylvania to a nexus of market pipelines and storage facilities in Leidy, Clinton County, Pa.

"Dominion is pleased to provide CONSOL with year-round access to growing Northeast markets and to provide another supply alternative for market area customers," said Gary Sypolt, chief executive officer of Dominion Energy.  

Earlier this year Dominion sold its natural gas exploration and production business to CONSOL so that the company could concentrate on its regulated businesses, including increased transportation and storage infrastructure opportunities resulting from Marcellus shale discoveries.

Dominion plans to file for a FERC certificate in December. If the project is approved, construction is planned to begin in March 2012, and it would enter service in November 2012.  Construction plans include new compression facilities at three existing compressor stations in central Pennsylvania.

Dominion Transmission provides gathering, processing, transportation and storage services, operating in the heart of the Marcellus shale production area.

Dominion is one of the nation's largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of more than 27,500 megawatts of generation, 12,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline and 6,000 miles of electric transmission lines.  Dominion operates the nation's largest natural gas storage system with 942 billion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves retail energy customers in 12 states. For more information about Dominion, visit the company's Web site at www.dom.com.  

About CONSOL Energy

CONSOL Energy, the leading diversified coal and gas producer in the Appalachian Basin, is a member of Standard & Poor's 500 Equity Index and the Fortune 500. It was recently named one of the "Top 10 Most Trustworthy" companies for 2010 by Forbes. At year-end 2009, it had 11 bituminous coal mining complexes in six states and reports proven and probable coal reserves of 4.5 billion tons.  It is also the leading Appalachian gas producer, with proved reserves of 2.9 trillion cubic feet.  Additional information about CONSOL Energy can be found at its Web site: www.consolenergy.com.

SOURCE Dominion