Hundreds of Miles of New Gas Pipelines Proposed in Washington

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Audrey Leonard, Staff Attorney: (541) 399-4775; audrey@columbiariverkeeper.org

Hundreds of Miles of New Gas Pipelines Proposed in Washington

Two projects would increase state’s GHG emissions by 14 percent

Quincy, Wash. (March 10, 2026) — Emboldened by the Trump administration and the promise of data centers’ insatiable energy needs, the owner of the largest gas pipeline system in Washington is actively exploring options to build new gas pipelines in the Northwest. 

Columbia Riverkeeper is tracking two early-stage gas pipeline proposals from Williams, owner of the Northwest Pipeline that carries methane gas from Western Canada and the Rocky Mountains through Washington and Oregon, and a proposal for a new gas-fired power plant by a Washington utility. 

“These projects should be non-starters,” said Audrey Leonard, Columbia Riverkeeper Staff Attorney. “Washington has some of the nation’s best climate and energy laws—and for good reason. Over 1.2 million people in Washington live in communities that are highly impacted by air pollution, and are exposed to the associated health risks.” 

Electricity demand in the Pacific Northwest is projected to increase by 25 percent by 2029, with data centers accounting for almost half of the new demand. As the region contemplates how to respond to new demands for energy, gas corporations have dollar signs in their eyes. A region that was solidly moving away from reliance on gas is now a potential new market.

By tracking investor calls and customer meetings, Columbia Riverkeeper learned that Williams is actively working to influence Washington policymakers’ opinions on methane gas. Williams boasts that Washington leaders’ opinions on gas are “softening.” 

Williams has floated two major expansion projects that would involve hundreds of miles of new pipeline in Washington, and bring 700 million cubic feet of new gas to the state per day. Burning this gas would emit 13.5 million metric tons of CO2 per year and increase Washington’s annual emissions by about 14 percent. 

Rockies Columbia Connector: New Pipeline Through the Columbia River Gorge

The “Rockies Columbia Connector” would bring a staggering quantity of new gas from the Rocky Mountains to Washington. Williams wants to add 158 miles of new pipeline along the Columbia River Gorge and expand air-polluting compressor stations. Williams held “Open Season” on the Rockies Columbia Connector project last year to solicit interest from gas utilities and other entities. The stated capacity of this project in Washington is 123.3 billion cubic feet of gas per year. 

Laying new pipeline along the Columbia River Gorge would harm water quality and impact highly sensitive areas. The air quality implications for this project are enormous, especially considering communities along the I-5 corridor already experience significant concentrations of pollution. 

Grant County: New Pipeline + Gas-Fired Power Plant 

The second of Williams’ proposals is called the “Valley Trail Project”: 137 miles of new pipeline in Grant County supplying 123.3 billion cubic feet of new gas per year. Data centers have flocked to this area, leading to concerns about water and energy consumption. In August 2025, the Grant County Public Utility District claimed that 79 pending requests for utility service would consume roughly two Seattles’ worth of energy. 

This January, Grant County Public Utility District announced plans to explore the feasibility of constructing new gas-fired power plants near Moses Lake or Quincy, and referenced a need for gas pipeline expansion to supply the power plant. 

Bottom Line

Data centers cannot derail our region’s climate progress. New gas pipelines have no place in the Northwest. The short-term profits of greedy fossil fuel and big tech corporations are not worth sacrificing clean water, clean air, and healthy communities.

“River communities, public health advocates, and environmental champions have been clear: new gas is not welcome in the Pacific Northwest,” added Leonard. “Facing a federal administration full of fossil fuel fanatics, Washington’s leaders must choose: stay on track or capitulate.” 

From opposing liquefied natural gas and methanol plants, to fighting the GTN Xpress gas pipeline expansion, Washington’s elected officials have stood up for communities and the environment against the fossil fuel industry. Now, it’s time for them to stand firmly against Williams’ pipe dreams. It’s not too late for Washington leaders to stop these dirty projects in their tracks. 

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About Columbia Riverkeeper

Columbia Riverkeeper is a nonprofit organization with over 20,000 members and supporters that works to protect the water quality of the Columbia River and all life connected to it, from the headwaters to the Pacific Ocean. Visit columbiariverkeeper.org to learn more.