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Equity Method Investments
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Equity Method Investments
Equity Method Investments
The Company holds a 25% equity interest in Constitution Pipeline Company, LLC (Constitution) and a 20% equity interest in Meade Pipeline Co LLC (Meade). Activity related to these equity method investments is as follows:
 
 
Constitution
 
Meade
 
Total
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
90,345

 
$
64,268

 
$
13,172

 
$
3,761

 
$
103,517

 
$
68,029

Contributions
 
6,250

 
3,000

 
5,402

 
2,078

 
11,652

 
5,078

Earnings (loss) on equity method investments
 
2,011

 
1,427

 
(2
)
 
(6
)
 
2,009

 
1,421

Balance at end of period
 
$
98,606

 
$
68,695

 
$
18,572

 
$
5,833

 
$
117,178

 
$
74,528


On April 22, 2016, Constitution announced that the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) denied Constitution's application for a section 401 Water Quality Certification (Certification) for the New York State portion of its proposed 124-mile route. Constitution stated that it remains committed to pursuing the project and that it intends to pursue all available options to challenge the legality and appropriateness of NYDEC's decision.

In light of the denial of the Certification and the anticipated actions to challenge the decision, Constitution has revised its target in-service date to the second half of 2018, assuming that the challenge process is satisfactorily and promptly concluded. Constitution is evaluating the impacts of the denial of the certification on the project, and the Company is evaluating the impact on its investment in Constitution.

During 2016, the Company expects to contribute between approximately $30.0 million and $35.0 million to its equity method investments. For further information regarding the Company’s equity method investments, refer to Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in the Form 10-K.