Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone Pipeline Project, 44908-44910 [07-3872]
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44908
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 153 / Thursday, August 9, 2007 / Notices
[Public Notice: 5878]
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information
Collection: Form DS–1998E, Foreign
Service Officer Test Registration Form,
OMB Control Number 1405–0008
Notice of request for public
comments.
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ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Department of State is
seeking Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) approval for the
information collection described below.
The purpose of this notice is to allow 60
days for public comment in the Federal
Register preceding submission to OMB.
We are conducting this process in
accordance with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995.
• Title of Information Collection:
Registration for the Foreign Service
Officer Test.
• OMB Control Number: 1405–0008.
• Type of Request: Extension of a
Currently Approved Collection.
• Originating Office: Human
Resources, HR/REE/BEX.
• Form Number: DS–1998E.
• Respondents: Registrants for the
Foreign Service Officer Test.
• Estimated Number of Respondents:
20,000.
• Estimated Number of Responses:
20,000.
• Average Hours Per Response: 3
hours.
• Total Estimated Burden: 60,000
hours.
• Frequency: Annually.
• Obligation to Respond: Required to
Obtain or Retain a Benefit.
DATES: The Department will accept
comments from the public up to 60 days
from August 9, 2007.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
by any of the following methods:
• E-mail: blakesj@state.gov.
• Mail (paper, disk, or CD–ROM
submissions): Stephen Blake, HR/REE/
BEX, SA–1, 2401 E Street, NW., H–518,
Washington, DC 20522.
• Fax: (202) 261–8843, Attn: Stephen
Blake.
You must include the DS form
number (if applicable), information
collection title, and OMB control
number in any correspondence.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Direct requests for additional
information regarding the collection
listed in this notice, including requests
for copies of the proposed information
collection and supporting documents, to
Stephen Blake, HR/REE/BEX, SA–1,
2401 E Street, NW., H–518, Washington,
DC 20522, who may be reached on (202)
261–8898 or at blakesj@state.gov.
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18:25 Aug 08, 2007
We are
soliciting public comments to permit
the Department to:
• Evaluate whether the proposed
information collection is necessary for
the proper performance of our
functions.
• Evaluate the accuracy of our
estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection, including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used.
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected.
• Minimize the reporting burden on
those who are to respond, including the
use of automated collection techniques
or other forms of technology.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Jkt 211001
Abstract of Proposed Collection
Individuals registering for the Foreign
Service Officer Test will complete a
Registration Form that consists of an
application form and six personal
narrative questions about experience
and qualifications. This includes
information about their name, age,
Social Security Number, contact
information, ethnicity, education and
work history, military experience, and
their knowledge, skills and abilities they
would bring to the Foreign Service. The
information will be used to prepare and
issue admission to the Foreign Service
Officer Test, to assess registrants’
qualifications for selection as a Foreign
Service Officer, to provide data useful
for improving future tests, and to
conduct research studies based on the
test results.
Methodology
Responses can be submitted
electronically.
BILLING CODE 4710–15–P
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Notice of Availability of the Draft
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed TransCanada Keystone
Pipeline Project
August 3, 2007.
Department of State.
Notice of Availability of the
Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) for the Proposed TransCanada
Keystone Pipeline Project.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The staff of the Department of
State has prepared a draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
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The draft
EIS was prepared to satisfy the
requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
to evaluate the potential environmental
impacts of the proposed pipeline
project. The document also evaluates
alternatives to the proposal, including
system alternatives and pipeline route
alternatives.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Dated: July 16, 2007.
Ruben Torres,
Executive Director, HR/EX, Department of
State.
[FR Doc. E7–15574 Filed 8–8–07; 8:45 am]
PO 00000
for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone
Pipeline Project. On April 19, 2006,
TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LLC
(‘‘Keystone’’) filed an application for a
Presidential permit for the construction,
operation, and maintenance of pipeline
facilities at the border of the U.S. and
Canada for the transport of crude oil
across the U.S.-Canada international
boundary. According to the application,
Keystone has requested authorization to
construct and operate the border
crossing facilities at the U.S.-Canadian
border at Cavalier County, North
Dakota, in connection with its proposed
international pipeline project (the
‘‘Keystone Pipeline Project’’), which is
designed to transport incremental
Canadian crude oil production from the
Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin
(‘‘WCSB’’) to existing terminals in
Missouri, Illinois, and potentially
Oklahoma.
The Secretary of State is designated
and empowered to receive all
applications for Presidential permits, as
referred to in Executive Order 13337, as
amended, for the construction,
connection, operation, or maintenance,
at the borders of the United States, of
facilities for the exportation or
importation of petroleum, petroleum
products, coal, or other fuels to or from
a foreign country. any person wishing to
comment on the draft EIS may do so. To
ensure consideration prior to a
Department of State decision on the
Keystone proposal, it is important that
we receive your comments by no later
than September 24, 2007.
The Federal cooperating agencies for
the development of this EIS are: U.S.
Department of Energy; U.S. Army Corp.
of Engineers; U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service; U.S. Department of
Agriculture—Farm Service Agency,
Natural Resources Conservation Service,
and Rural Utility Service; U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency; and
the Advisory Council of Historic
Preservation. Cooperating agencies
either have jurisdiction by law or
special expertise with respect to the
environmental impacts assessed in
connection with the proposal and are
involved in the Department’s analysis of
those environmental impacts.
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 153 / Thursday, August 9, 2007 / Notices
The draft EIS addresses the potential
environmental effects of the
construction and operation of the
United States portion of the Keystone
Pipeline Project. The Keystone Project
initially would have nominal transport
capacity of 435,000 barrels per day
(bpd) of crude oil from the oil supply
hub near Hardisty, Alberta to an existing
terminal and refinery at Wood River,
Illinois, and on to an existing terminal
at Patoka, Illinois. According to
Keystone, additional pumping capacity
could be added to increase the average
throughput to 591,000 bpd, if warranted
by future shipper demand and market
conditions.
Two pipeline extensions are proposed
by Keystone and would be built, if
deemed feasible by Keystone, based on
shipper demand. The extensions would
provide for transporting crude oil from
terminals in Ft. Saskatchewan, Alberta
to existing facilities in Cushing,
Oklahoma. With these extensions, the
pipeline would interconnect with
existing crude oil pipelines that supply
U.S. Gulf Coast refinery markets.
TransCanada announced on July 3,
2007, that the proposed Keystone Oil
Pipeline project had secured 155,000
bpd of additional firm shipper contracts
from Hardisty, Alberta, to Cushing,
Oklahoma, with a contract duration
averaging 16 years. These commitments
were obtained through the successful
completion of a binding Open Season
held to support an expansion of the
proposed pipeline to 590,000 bpd and
an extension of the proposed pipeline to
Cushing, Oklahoma. According to
TransCanada, it has now secured long
term contracts for the Keystone project
for a total of 495,000 bpd with average
contract duration of 18 years.
In total, the Keystone Project would
consist of the Mainline Project
(approximately 1,845 miles of pipeline,
including about 767 miles in Canada
and 1,078 miles in the United States)
and the Cushing Extension (293.5 miles
of pipeline in the United States).
Including the Cushing Extension, the
total length of pipeline in the United
States would be 1,371.5 miles.
In Canada, the Keystone Project
would involve the purchase of an
existing 537-mile, 34-inch-diameter
pipeline currently owned by
TransCanada Limited, a related
TransCanada entity, and conversion of
that pipeline to crude oil service;
construction of a new 230-mile pipeline
extension from Hardisty to the existing
537-mile pipeline, and construction of a
pipeline extension from the existing
pipeline to the U.S./Canada border. On
February 12, 2007, the Canadian
National Energy Board (NEB) approved
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:25 Aug 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
the transfer at net book value of a
portion of TransCanada’s Canadian
Mainline natural gas transmission
facilities to TransCanada Keystone
Pipeline GP Ltd. Appropriate regulatory
authorities in Canada are conducting an
independent environmental review
process for the proposed Canadian
facilities. The Canadian NEB began
public hearings addressing the Canadian
portion of the Keystone Pipeline in June
2007.
In the United States, the Mainline
Project would comprise a 1,023-mile
segment of 30-inch-diameter pipe from
the Canadian border to Wood River,
Illinois and an approximately 56-mile
segment of 24-inch-diameter pipe
between Wood River and Patoka,
Illinois. The Cushing Extension would
consist of 293.5 miles of 36-inchdiameter pipe extending from Steele
City, Nebraska, to Cushing, Oklahoma.
Keystone has advised the Department of
State that construction of the Cushing
Extension could occur, if warranted by
future shipper demand and market
conditions. The draft EIS prepared by
the Department of State describes and
evaluates the U.S. portion of the
proposed Keystone Project, including
both the Mainline Project and Cushing
Extension, and the additional facilities
required to increase throughput capacity
to 591,000 bpd.
Keystone intends to construct the 30and 36-inch-diameter pipelines within a
110-foot-wide corridor, consisting of a
temporary 60-foot-wide construction
right-of-way (ROW) and a 50-foot-wide
permanent ROW. In Illinois, the 24inch-diameter pipeline segment would
be constructed within a 95-foot-wide
corridor, consisting of a temporary 45foot-wide construction ROW and a 50foot-wide permanent ROW.
The Keystone Project would require
construction of pump stations, pigging
(cleaning) facilities, delivery facilities,
and densitometer sites (for detection of
crude oil batch interfaces). Mainline
valves (MLVs) would be placed along
the pipeline at locations necessary to
maintain adequate flow through the
pipeline. Keystone has advised the State
Department that valves would be
installed and located as dictated by the
hydraulic characteristics of the pipeline
and as required by federal regulations,
with the intent to provide for public
safety and environmental protection as
part of pipeline integrity management
practices.
Densitometer sites for detection of
crude oil batch interfaces would be
located at Steele City (at the junction of
the Mainline Project and Cushing
Extension), as well as at Wood River
and Patoka, Illinois, and Ponca City and
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44909
Cushing, Oklahoma, where delivery
metering and power facilities also
would be located. According to
Keystone, electrical transmission lines
and associated substation upgrades
required for Keystone Project would be
constructed by local providers, who
would be responsible for obtaining any
necessary Federal, State, and local
approvals or authorizations.
Construction and operation of these
facilities are considered connected
actions under NEPA and therefore are
evaluated within this draft EIS.
U.S. States and counties that could
possibly be affected by construction of
the proposed pipeline, including the
proposed Cushing extension, are:
• North Dakota: Pembina, Cavalier,
Walsh, Nelson, Steele, Barnes, Ransom,
Dickey, and Sargent;
• South Dakota: Marshall, Brown,
Day, Clark, Beadle, Kingsbury, Miner,
Hanson, McCook, Hutchinson, and
Yankton;
• Nebraska: Cedar, Wayne, Stanton,
Platte, Colfax, Butler, Seward, Saline,
Jefferson, and Gage;
• Kansas: Marshall, Nemaha, Brown,
Washington, Clay, Dickinson, Marion,
Butler, Cowley, and Doniphan;
• Missouri: Buchanan, Clinton,
Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Randolph,
Audrain, Montgomery, Lincoln, and St.
Charles;
• Illinois: Madison, Bond, Fayette,
Marion, and Clinton; and
• Oklahoma (under a possible future
extension): Kay, Noble, and Payne.
Comment Procedures and Public
Meetings: Any person wishing to
comment on the draft EIS may do so. To
ensure consideration prior to a
Department of State decision on the
proposal, it is important that we receive
your comments by no later than
September 24, 2007.
Options for submitting comments on
the Draft EIS are as follows:
• By mail to: Elizabeth Orlando,
Keystone Project Manager, U.S.
Department of State, OES/ENV Room
2657, Washington, DC 20520. Please
note that Department of State mail can
be delayed due to security screening.
• Fax to: (202) 647–5947, attention
Betsy Orlando.
• E-mail to: keystoneEIS@state.gov.
• Comment over the internet via the
Keystone EIS Web site: https://
www.keystonepipeline.state.gov.
Comments received will be included
in the public docket without change and
may be made available on-line at
https://www.keystonepipeline.state.gov,
including any personal information
provided, unless the commenter
indicates that the comment includes
information claimed to be Confidential
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44910
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 153 / Thursday, August 9, 2007 / Notices
Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit
information that you consider to be CBI,
or otherwise protected, through e-mail.
If you send by e-mail, your e-mail
address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment
that is placed in the public docket and
made available on the Internet. If you
submit an electronic comment, we
recommend that you include your name
and other contact information in the
body of your comment and with any
disk or CD–ROM you submit. If we
cannot read your comment because of
technical difficulties and cannot contact
you for clarification, we may not be able
to consider your comment. Electronic
comments should avoid the use of any
special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.
In addition to or in lieu of sending
written comments, the Department of
State invites you to attend the public
meetings in the project area to receive
comments on the draft EIS. The public
meetings will be conducted in a
workshop style. A court reporter will be
present and will accept comments for
the record. Dates and locations for the
public meetings are:
• Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 7 to 9
p.m., Carrolton, Missouri, Rupe
community Building (Behind Fire
Station, park on north side of building,
do not block fire station), 710 Harvest
Hills Road, Carrollton.
• Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., St. Charles, Missouri, Days Inn
Meeting Room, 2781 Veterans Memorial
Parkway (off I–70 South Service Road),
St. Charles.
• Thursday, September 6, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., Collinsville, Illinois, Gateway
Center Marquette Room, One Gateway
Drive (Highway 157 & Eastport Plaza
Drive), Collinsville.
• Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., Yankton, South Dakota, Minerva
Convention Centre at the Best Western
Kelly Inn, 1607 East Highway 50,
Yankton.
• Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., Michigan, North Dakota,
Michigan Civic Center, 113 Broadway
N., Michigan.
• Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 7
to 9 p.m., Stanton, Nebraska, VFW
Meeting Hall, 1106 Veteran’s Avenue,
Stanton.
• Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 7
to 9 p.m., Lisbon, North Dakota,
Commons Room, Lisbon High School,
502 Ash Street, Lisbon.
• Thursday, September 13, 7 to 9
p.m., Seward, Nebraska, Seward Civic
VerDate Aug<31>2005
18:25 Aug 08, 2007
Jkt 211001
Center Auditorium, 616 Bradford Street,
Seward.
• Thursday, September 13, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., Clark, South Dakota, Clark
Community Center, 120 N. Commercial
Street, Clark.
• Monday, September 17, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., Seneca, Kansas, Nemaha
Community Center, 1500 Community
Drive, Seneca.
• Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., Senior Citizens Center, Abilene,
Kansas, 100 N. Elm, Abilene.
• Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 7
to 9 p.m., El Dorado, Kansas, El Dorado
Civic Center Main Meeting Room, 201 E.
Central, El Dorado.
• Thursday, September 20, 2007, 7 to
9 p.m., Ponca City, Oklahoma, Econo
Lodge Meeting Room, 212 S. 14th Street,
Ponca City.
After comments are reviewed, any
significant new issues are investigated,
and modifications are made to the draft
EIS, a final EIS will be published and
distributed by the Department of State.
The final EIS will contain the
Department’s response to timely
comments received on the draft EIS.
Copies of the draft EIS have been
mailed to interested Federal, State and
local agencies; public interest groups;
individuals and affected landowners
who requested a copy of the draft EIS
or who provided comments during the
scoping process; libraries; newspapers;
and other stakeholders.
The
TransCanada Keystone Pipeline
application for a Presidential Permit,
including associated maps and
drawings; the draft EIS; a list of libraries
where the draft EIS may be viewed; and
other project information is available for
viewing and download at the project
Web site: http//
www.keystonepipeline.state.gov.
For information on the proposed
project or the draft EIS, contact
Elizabeth Orlando, OES/ENV Room
2657, U.S. Department of State,
Washington, DC 20520, or by telephone
(202) 647–4284, or by fax at (202) 647–
5947.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Brown,
Director, Bureau of Oceans and International
Environmental and Scientific Affairs/Office
of Environmental Policy, U.S. Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 07–3872 Filed 8–8–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–07–M
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TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY
Notice of Determinations on the
PURPA Standards Set Forth in the
Energy Policy Act of 2005
SUMMARY: At its meeting on August 1,
2007, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the TVA
Board made its determinations on the
PURPA Standards set forth in the Public
Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
(Pub. L. 95–617) as amended by the
Energy Policy Act of 2005 (Pub. L. 109–
58) (EPAct 2005). The standards
considered are listed in subsections
111(d)(11)–(14) of PURPA as amended
by EPAct 2005. The TVA Board
considered the standards in accordance
with PURPA and the objectives and
requirements of the Tennessee Valley
Authority Act of 1933 (TVA Act), 48
Stat. 58, as amended, 16 U.S.C. 831–
831dd (2007).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carl
Seigenthaler, Tennessee Valley
Authority, 1 Century Place, 26 Century
Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37214, (615)
232–6629.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of
1978 (Pub. L. 95–617) (PURPA), as
amended by the Energy Policy Act of
2005 (Pub. L. 109–58) (EPAct 2005),
requires TVA to consider adopting for
itself and the distributors of TVA power
five new PURPA standards. These five
standards are identified as Net Metering,
Fuel Sources, Fossil Fuel Generation
Efficiency, Time-based Metering and
Communications (or Smart Metering),
and Interconnection. The TVA Board
was charged with considering and
making determinations on whether or
not it is appropriate to implement each
standard.
Data, views, and comments were
requested from the public as to the need
and desirability of adopting the
standards. Open house informational
sessions were conducted at 5 locations
throughout the Valley. In addition to
posting notices in the Federal Register
on August 17, 2006 (71 FR 475567), and
January 22, 2007 (72 FR 2721) , which
described the standards and solicited
public input on the standards, TVA also
provided a PURPA Web site (https://
www.tva.com/purpa) for purposes of
educating the public on the standards
and soliciting public input. All public
input received on the standards was
submitted to the official record and
made available to the public through the
Web site.
TVA’s process for considering and
making determinations on the new
PURPA standards was carried out
pursuant to the provisions of (a)
PURPA, under which TVA is identified
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 153 (Thursday, August 9, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44908-44910]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-3872]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone Pipeline Project
August 3, 2007.
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) for the Proposed TransCanada Keystone Pipeline Project.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The staff of the Department of State has prepared a draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed TransCanada
Keystone Pipeline Project. On April 19, 2006, TransCanada Keystone
Pipeline, LLC (``Keystone'') filed an application for a Presidential
permit for the construction, operation, and maintenance of pipeline
facilities at the border of the U.S. and Canada for the transport of
crude oil across the U.S.-Canada international boundary. According to
the application, Keystone has requested authorization to construct and
operate the border crossing facilities at the U.S.-Canadian border at
Cavalier County, North Dakota, in connection with its proposed
international pipeline project (the ``Keystone Pipeline Project''),
which is designed to transport incremental Canadian crude oil
production from the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin (``WCSB'') to
existing terminals in Missouri, Illinois, and potentially Oklahoma.
The Secretary of State is designated and empowered to receive all
applications for Presidential permits, as referred to in Executive
Order 13337, as amended, for the construction, connection, operation,
or maintenance, at the borders of the United States, of facilities for
the exportation or importation of petroleum, petroleum products, coal,
or other fuels to or from a foreign country. any person wishing to
comment on the draft EIS may do so. To ensure consideration prior to a
Department of State decision on the Keystone proposal, it is important
that we receive your comments by no later than September 24, 2007.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft EIS was prepared to satisfy the
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and to
evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the proposed pipeline
project. The document also evaluates alternatives to the proposal,
including system alternatives and pipeline route alternatives.
The Federal cooperating agencies for the development of this EIS
are: U.S. Department of Energy; U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers; U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture--Farm Service
Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Rural Utility
Service; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and the Advisory Council
of Historic Preservation. Cooperating agencies either have jurisdiction
by law or special expertise with respect to the environmental impacts
assessed in connection with the proposal and are involved in the
Department's analysis of those environmental impacts.
[[Page 44909]]
The draft EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the
construction and operation of the United States portion of the Keystone
Pipeline Project. The Keystone Project initially would have nominal
transport capacity of 435,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil from
the oil supply hub near Hardisty, Alberta to an existing terminal and
refinery at Wood River, Illinois, and on to an existing terminal at
Patoka, Illinois. According to Keystone, additional pumping capacity
could be added to increase the average throughput to 591,000 bpd, if
warranted by future shipper demand and market conditions.
Two pipeline extensions are proposed by Keystone and would be
built, if deemed feasible by Keystone, based on shipper demand. The
extensions would provide for transporting crude oil from terminals in
Ft. Saskatchewan, Alberta to existing facilities in Cushing, Oklahoma.
With these extensions, the pipeline would interconnect with existing
crude oil pipelines that supply U.S. Gulf Coast refinery markets.
TransCanada announced on July 3, 2007, that the proposed Keystone Oil
Pipeline project had secured 155,000 bpd of additional firm shipper
contracts from Hardisty, Alberta, to Cushing, Oklahoma, with a contract
duration averaging 16 years. These commitments were obtained through
the successful completion of a binding Open Season held to support an
expansion of the proposed pipeline to 590,000 bpd and an extension of
the proposed pipeline to Cushing, Oklahoma. According to TransCanada,
it has now secured long term contracts for the Keystone project for a
total of 495,000 bpd with average contract duration of 18 years.
In total, the Keystone Project would consist of the Mainline
Project (approximately 1,845 miles of pipeline, including about 767
miles in Canada and 1,078 miles in the United States) and the Cushing
Extension (293.5 miles of pipeline in the United States). Including the
Cushing Extension, the total length of pipeline in the United States
would be 1,371.5 miles.
In Canada, the Keystone Project would involve the purchase of an
existing 537-mile, 34-inch-diameter pipeline currently owned by
TransCanada Limited, a related TransCanada entity, and conversion of
that pipeline to crude oil service; construction of a new 230-mile
pipeline extension from Hardisty to the existing 537-mile pipeline, and
construction of a pipeline extension from the existing pipeline to the
U.S./Canada border. On February 12, 2007, the Canadian National Energy
Board (NEB) approved the transfer at net book value of a portion of
TransCanada's Canadian Mainline natural gas transmission facilities to
TransCanada Keystone Pipeline GP Ltd. Appropriate regulatory
authorities in Canada are conducting an independent environmental
review process for the proposed Canadian facilities. The Canadian NEB
began public hearings addressing the Canadian portion of the Keystone
Pipeline in June 2007.
In the United States, the Mainline Project would comprise a 1,023-
mile segment of 30-inch-diameter pipe from the Canadian border to Wood
River, Illinois and an approximately 56-mile segment of 24-inch-
diameter pipe between Wood River and Patoka, Illinois. The Cushing
Extension would consist of 293.5 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipe
extending from Steele City, Nebraska, to Cushing, Oklahoma. Keystone
has advised the Department of State that construction of the Cushing
Extension could occur, if warranted by future shipper demand and market
conditions. The draft EIS prepared by the Department of State describes
and evaluates the U.S. portion of the proposed Keystone Project,
including both the Mainline Project and Cushing Extension, and the
additional facilities required to increase throughput capacity to
591,000 bpd.
Keystone intends to construct the 30- and 36-inch-diameter
pipelines within a 110-foot-wide corridor, consisting of a temporary
60-foot-wide construction right-of-way (ROW) and a 50-foot-wide
permanent ROW. In Illinois, the 24-inch-diameter pipeline segment would
be constructed within a 95-foot-wide corridor, consisting of a
temporary 45-foot-wide construction ROW and a 50-foot-wide permanent
ROW.
The Keystone Project would require construction of pump stations,
pigging (cleaning) facilities, delivery facilities, and densitometer
sites (for detection of crude oil batch interfaces). Mainline valves
(MLVs) would be placed along the pipeline at locations necessary to
maintain adequate flow through the pipeline. Keystone has advised the
State Department that valves would be installed and located as dictated
by the hydraulic characteristics of the pipeline and as required by
federal regulations, with the intent to provide for public safety and
environmental protection as part of pipeline integrity management
practices.
Densitometer sites for detection of crude oil batch interfaces
would be located at Steele City (at the junction of the Mainline
Project and Cushing Extension), as well as at Wood River and Patoka,
Illinois, and Ponca City and Cushing, Oklahoma, where delivery metering
and power facilities also would be located. According to Keystone,
electrical transmission lines and associated substation upgrades
required for Keystone Project would be constructed by local providers,
who would be responsible for obtaining any necessary Federal, State,
and local approvals or authorizations. Construction and operation of
these facilities are considered connected actions under NEPA and
therefore are evaluated within this draft EIS.
U.S. States and counties that could possibly be affected by
construction of the proposed pipeline, including the proposed Cushing
extension, are:
North Dakota: Pembina, Cavalier, Walsh, Nelson, Steele,
Barnes, Ransom, Dickey, and Sargent;
South Dakota: Marshall, Brown, Day, Clark, Beadle,
Kingsbury, Miner, Hanson, McCook, Hutchinson, and Yankton;
Nebraska: Cedar, Wayne, Stanton, Platte, Colfax, Butler,
Seward, Saline, Jefferson, and Gage;
Kansas: Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Washington, Clay,
Dickinson, Marion, Butler, Cowley, and Doniphan;
Missouri: Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton,
Randolph, Audrain, Montgomery, Lincoln, and St. Charles;
Illinois: Madison, Bond, Fayette, Marion, and Clinton; and
Oklahoma (under a possible future extension): Kay, Noble,
and Payne.
Comment Procedures and Public Meetings: Any person wishing to
comment on the draft EIS may do so. To ensure consideration prior to a
Department of State decision on the proposal, it is important that we
receive your comments by no later than September 24, 2007.
Options for submitting comments on the Draft EIS are as follows:
By mail to: Elizabeth Orlando, Keystone Project Manager,
U.S. Department of State, OES/ENV Room 2657, Washington, DC 20520.
Please note that Department of State mail can be delayed due to
security screening.
Fax to: (202) 647-5947, attention Betsy Orlando.
E-mail to: keystoneEIS@state.gov.
Comment over the internet via the Keystone EIS Web site:
https://www.keystonepipeline.state.gov.
Comments received will be included in the public docket without
change and may be made available on-line at https://
www.keystonepipeline.state.gov, including any personal information
provided, unless the commenter indicates that the comment includes
information claimed to be Confidential
[[Page 44910]]
Business Information (CBI) or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Do not submit information that you consider to
be CBI, or otherwise protected, through e-mail. If you send by e-mail,
your e-mail address will be automatically captured and included as part
of the comment that is placed in the public docket and made available
on the Internet. If you submit an electronic comment, we recommend that
you include your name and other contact information in the body of your
comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you submit. If we cannot read your
comment because of technical difficulties and cannot contact you for
clarification, we may not be able to consider your comment. Electronic
comments should avoid the use of any special characters, any form of
encryption, and be free of any defects or viruses.
In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, the
Department of State invites you to attend the public meetings in the
project area to receive comments on the draft EIS. The public meetings
will be conducted in a workshop style. A court reporter will be present
and will accept comments for the record. Dates and locations for the
public meetings are:
Tuesday, September 4, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Carrolton,
Missouri, Rupe community Building (Behind Fire Station, park on north
side of building, do not block fire station), 710 Harvest Hills Road,
Carrollton.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., St. Charles,
Missouri, Days Inn Meeting Room, 2781 Veterans Memorial Parkway (off I-
70 South Service Road), St. Charles.
Thursday, September 6, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Collinsville,
Illinois, Gateway Center Marquette Room, One Gateway Drive (Highway 157
& Eastport Plaza Drive), Collinsville.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Yankton, South
Dakota, Minerva Convention Centre at the Best Western Kelly Inn, 1607
East Highway 50, Yankton.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Michigan, North
Dakota, Michigan Civic Center, 113 Broadway N., Michigan.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Stanton,
Nebraska, VFW Meeting Hall, 1106 Veteran's Avenue, Stanton.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Lisbon, North
Dakota, Commons Room, Lisbon High School, 502 Ash Street, Lisbon.
Thursday, September 13, 7 to 9 p.m., Seward, Nebraska,
Seward Civic Center Auditorium, 616 Bradford Street, Seward.
Thursday, September 13, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Clark, South
Dakota, Clark Community Center, 120 N. Commercial Street, Clark.
Monday, September 17, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Seneca, Kansas,
Nemaha Community Center, 1500 Community Drive, Seneca.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Senior Citizens
Center, Abilene, Kansas, 100 N. Elm, Abilene.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., El Dorado,
Kansas, El Dorado Civic Center Main Meeting Room, 201 E. Central, El
Dorado.
Thursday, September 20, 2007, 7 to 9 p.m., Ponca City,
Oklahoma, Econo Lodge Meeting Room, 212 S. 14th Street, Ponca City.
After comments are reviewed, any significant new issues are
investigated, and modifications are made to the draft EIS, a final EIS
will be published and distributed by the Department of State. The final
EIS will contain the Department's response to timely comments received
on the draft EIS.
Copies of the draft EIS have been mailed to interested Federal,
State and local agencies; public interest groups; individuals and
affected landowners who requested a copy of the draft EIS or who
provided comments during the scoping process; libraries; newspapers;
and other stakeholders.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The TransCanada Keystone Pipeline
application for a Presidential Permit, including associated maps and
drawings; the draft EIS; a list of libraries where the draft EIS may be
viewed; and other project information is available for viewing and
download at the project Web site: http//www.keystonepipeline.state.gov.
For information on the proposed project or the draft EIS, contact
Elizabeth Orlando, OES/ENV Room 2657, U.S. Department of State,
Washington, DC 20520, or by telephone (202) 647-4284, or by fax at
(202) 647-5947.
David Brown,
Director, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and
Scientific Affairs/Office of Environmental Policy, U.S. Department of
State.
[FR Doc. 07-3872 Filed 8-8-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-07-M
