Two companies plan to build pipeline, power plant near Elko

Executives of both Colorado Interstate Gas Co. and Paiute Pipeline Co. expressed optimism that the project will materialize.

"It's exciting for us, if we can get something done," said Ted McMurtrie, vice president and general manager of Paiute. "this particular project is designed as much as anything to provide more pipeline capacity for Elko and the mines."

Ed Miller, Colorado Interstate Gas' project manager for the proposed Ruby Gas Pipeline, said the project's future hinges in part on a proposal by Coastal Corp., CIG's parent company, to build a natural gas-fired power plant in northern Nevada.

The proposed plant, which would be a major customer of the pipeline, is based on the electric restructuring in Nevada that will open competition for power sales at the end of next year, Miller said.

"It looks like things are falling into place," Miller said. "We're getting pretty optimistic."

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