SMYRNA - The city of East Point in south Fulton on Tuesday announced an agreement with Georgia Power that clears the way for a massive 19-mile natural gas pipeline to proposed gas-fueled generators at Smyrna's Plant McDonough.

The planned pipeline needed to power the plant once it converts from coal to natural gas will follow easements on about 30 residential properties in Cobb and tunnel beneath the Chattahoochee River.

The entire project affects about 310 properties, mostly in East Point.

The city withdrew its opposition to the pipeline after it reached an agreement on Thursday with Georgia Power to ensure certain measures are taken that the state Public Service Commission - which regulates electric and natural gas services - approved on Tuesday.

Terms of the agreement call for Georgia Power to:

n Provide $128,100 to East Point to help the city provide additional training to local personnel for pipeline emergencies.

n Ensure best practices are used to minimize soil erosion and sedimentation run off.

n Maintain its easements on the pipeline route.

n Install plant screens to cover any visible portions of the pipeline that run above ground.

n Replace any public trees destroyed with similar-sized trees.

Georgia Power spokeswoman Lolita Jackson said the Public Service Commission approved certification of the generators on Tuesday.

The huge 30-inch diameter pipe will begin in Union City, where Georgia Power will tap into a Southern Natural Gas line, and run north through East Point and Fulton County into southeast Cobb.

Ms. Jackson said pipeline construction is expected to start in spring 2009 and end around summer 2010.

mhoward@mdjonline.com

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