Located south of Atlanta, the plant is supplied by two interstate pipelines for supply.

But officials there said they had no policing powers on interstate pipelines.

Operators of interstate pipelines have proposed new construction that could double delivery to the state.

Mr. Wichlep said the company had not informed the states because the environmental agency normally coordinates investigations when interstate pipelines are involved.

Between the years of 1911 and 1928, states attempted to regulate many of these interstate pipelines.

The act also specified that "no new interstate pipeline could be built to deliver natural gas into a market already served by another pipeline."

Across the country, there are more than 210 pipeline systems that total more than 305,000 miles of interstate and intrastate pipelines.

He then worked for Houston Natural Gas, in charge of its interstate pipelines, a $2.6 billion business.

The company also owns 29 natural gas city gate stations at various locations that link with interstate pipelines.

The agency said it would soon begin surveys of six other interstate pipelines that have waste disposal sites along their rights of way.