Arkansas News Bureau

LITTLE ROCK — Federal regulators gave final approval today for construction of the Fayetteville Express Pipeline in Arkansas.

The permit from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission allows the pipeline’s construction and operation, said Allen Fore, director of community relations for Fayetteville Express Pipeline LLC.

The proposed $1.3 billion, 185-mile pipeline is a joint venture between Kinder Morgan Energy Partners LP and Energy Transfer Partners LP.

The 42-inch pipeline is expected to start carrying natural gas from the Fayetteville Shale play in north-central Arkansas to four transcontinental pipelines late next year.