“Natural gas is increasingly important for advanced electricity generation, contributing to significantly lower greenhouse gas and other emissions,” they said. “The project will also provide more reliable access to new sources of natural gas, keeping consumers’ energy costs down — even during the coldest and hottest weather.”

Dominion Resources would own 45 percent of the joint venture; Duke Energy, 40 percent; Piedmont, 10 percent; and AGL Resources, 5 percent.

Dominion Resources would finance its share of the project with equity, cash and debt, company spokesman Jim Norvelle said. “The exact financing will be determined later.”

Subsidiaries and affiliates of the four venture partners, plus PSNC Energy, plan to be customers of the pipeline under 20-year contracts, depending on regulatory approvals.

Dominion Resources has begun surveying to determine the route. The company said it seeks one that “meets operational and reliability needs while minimizing the impact on the environment, as well as historical and cultural resources.”