Mississippi Hub, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed MS HUB Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Site Visit, 65303-65305 [E8-26081]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 213 / Monday, November 3, 2008 / Notices
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on November 7, 2008.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–26083 Filed 10–31–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. PF08–29–000]
Mississippi Hub, LLC; Notice of Intent
To Prepare an Environmental
Assessment for the Proposed MS HUB
Expansion Project, Request for
Comments on Environmental Issues,
and Notice of Public Site Visit
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
October 27, 2008.
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) that will
discuss the environmental impacts of
the proposed MS HUB Expansion
Project involving construction and
operation of facilities by Mississippi
Hub, LLC (MS HUB) in Simpson,
Jefferson Davis and Covington Counties,
Mississippi. The EA will be used by the
Commission in its decision-making
process to determine whether or not to
authorize the project under section 7 of
the Natural Gas Act.
This notice explains the scoping
process we 1 will use to gather
environmental input from the public
and interested agencies, and
summarizes the project review process
for the FERC. Your input will help
determine which issues need to be
evaluated in the EA. Details on how to
submit comments during the scoping
period are provided in the Public
Participation section of this notice.
Please note that the scoping period will
close on December 3, 2008.
This notice is being sent to potentially
affected landowners; federal, state, and
local government agencies; elected
officials; environmental and public
interest groups; Native American Tribes;
other interested parties; and local
libraries and newspapers. State and
local government representatives are
asked to notify their constituents of this
planned project and encourage them to
comment on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this
notice, you may be contacted by a MS
HUB company representative about
survey permission and/or the
1 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the FERC’s Office of Energy
Projects.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:58 Oct 31, 2008
Jkt 217001
acquisition of an easement to construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed
facilities. The company would seek to
negotiate a mutually acceptable
agreement. However, if the project is
approved by the Commission, that
approval conveys with it the right of
eminent domain. Therefore, if easement
negotiations fail to produce an
agreement, the natural gas company
could initiate condemnation
proceedings in accordance with state
law.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC
entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
To Know?’’ is available for viewing on
the FERC Web site (https://
www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet addresses
a number of typically asked questions,
including the use of eminent domain
and how to participate in the
Commission’s proceedings.
Summary of the Proposed Project
MS HUB proposes to expand the
working gas capacity of its currently
authorized salt dome natural gas storage
facility in Mississippi from 12 billion
standard cubic feet (Bcf) to 15 Bcf and
construct two new natural gas pipelines
in an extension of its South Pipeline
Corridor. Specifically, MS HUB seeks
authority to construct and operate:
• Two solution-mined salt dome
caverns, expanded from a working gas
capacity of 6.0 Bcf to 7.5 Bcf each;
• Approximately 14.2 miles of 24inch-diameter natural gas pipeline,
extending from the gas storage facility to
an interconnect with the Southeast
Supply Header (SESH) pipeline;
• Approximately 22.6 miles of 30inch-diameter natural gas pipeline,
extending from the gas storage facility to
an interconnect with a Transcontinental
Gas Pipe Line (Transco) pipeline;
• Aboveground tie-in and metering
facilities at each interconnect site;
• Associated access roads; and
• An additional 15,800 horsepower
(hp) of compression at the gas storage
site.
The general location of the project
facilities is shown in Appendix 1.2
Construction of the proposed facilities
would require approximately 340 acres
of land. Following construction,
approximately 136 acres would be
maintained as new pipeline right-of-way
2 The appendices referenced in this notice are not
being printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all
appendices are available on the Commission’s Web
site at the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link or from the Commission’s
Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502–8371. For
instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the
last page of this notice. Copies of the appendices
were sent to all those receiving this notice in the
mail.
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65303
and aboveground facility sites. The
remaining acreage would be restored
and allowed to revert to its former use.
If approved, MS HUB proposes to begin
construction of the project in August
2009.
The EA Process
We are preparing an EA to comply
with the National Environmental Policy
Act of 1969 (NEPA) which requires the
Commission to take into account the
environmental impact that could result
if it authorizes MS HUB’s proposal.
NEPA also requires us to discover and
address the public’s concerns about
proposals that require federal
authorizations. This process is referred
to as ‘‘scoping.’’ The main goal of the
scoping process is to focus the analysis
in the EA on the important
environmental issues.
By this notice, we are requesting
public comments on the scope of the
issues to be addressed in the EA. All
comments received will be considered
during preparation of the EA. We are
also asking Federal, State, and local
agencies with jurisdiction and/or
special expertise with respect to
environmental issues to formally
cooperate with us in the preparation of
the EA. Agencies that would like to
request cooperating status should follow
the instructions for filing comments
provided below.
Although no formal application has
been filed with the Commission, the
FERC staff has initiated its review of the
project under its NEPA Pre-filing
Process to encourage the early
involvement of stakeholders and to
identify and resolve issues before an
application is filed. The purpose of the
Pre-filing Process is to seek public and
agency input early in the project
planning phase and encourage
involvement by interested stakeholders
in a manner that allows for the early
identification and resolution of
environmental issues. We will work
with all interested stakeholders to
identify and attempt to address issues
before MS HUB files its application with
the FERC.
The EA will discuss impacts that
could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the
proposed project, under the general
headings of geology and soils; land use;
water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
cultural resources; vegetation and
wildlife; threatened and endangered
species; air quality and noise; safety and
reliability; and cumulative impacts. The
EA will also evaluate reasonable
alternatives to the proposed project, and
make recommendations on how to
E:\FR\FM\03NON1.SGM
03NON1
65304
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 213 / Monday, November 3, 2008 / Notices
lessen or avoid impacts on affected
resources.
Our independent analysis of the
issues will be in the EA. Depending on
the comments received during the
scoping process, the EA may be
published and mailed to Federal, State,
and local agencies; newspapers;
libraries; interested individuals who
return the Mail List Retention Form in
Appendix 3; and the Commission’s
official service list for this proceeding.
An additional comment period may be
allotted for review when the EA is
published. We will consider all
comments on the EA before we make
our recommendations to the
Commission.
Currently Identified Environmental
Issues
We have already identified several
issues that we think deserve attention
based on a preliminary review of the
proposed facilities and the
environmental information provided by
MS HUB. This preliminary list of issues
may be changed based on your
comments and our analysis.
• Federally listed endangered or
threatened species may occur in the
proposed project area.
• Construction impacts to wetlands
located in the proposed project area.
• Construction activities near
residences and structures.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the MS
HUB Expansion Project. Your comments
should focus on the potential
environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives, and measures to avoid or
lessen environmental impacts. The more
specific your comments, the more useful
they will be. To ensure that your
comments are timely and properly
recorded, please send in your comments
so that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before December
3, 2008.
For your convenience, there are three
methods which you can use to submit
your written comments to the
Commission. In all instances please
reference the project docket number
(PF08–29–000) with your submission.
The three methods are:
(1) You may file your comments
electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on
the Commission’s Internet Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov under the link to
Documents and Filings. A Quick
Comment is an easy method for
interested persons to submit text-only
comments on a project;
(2) You may file your comments
electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the
Commission’s Internet Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov under the link to
Documents and Filings. eFiling involves
preparing your submission in the same
manner as you would if filing on paper,
and then saving the file on your
computer’s hard drive. You will attach
that file as your submission. New
eFiling users must first create an
account by clicking on ‘‘Sign up’’ or
‘‘eRegister.’’ You will be asked to select
the type of filing you are making. A
comment on a particular project is
considered a ‘‘Comment on a Filing;’’ or
(3) You may file your comments via
mail to the Commission by sending an
original and two copies of your letter to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC
20426;
Label one copy of the comments for
the attention of Gas Branch 3, PJ–11.3.
The Commission encourages
electronic filing of comments and has
dedicated eFiling expert staff available
to assist you at 202–502–8258 or
efiling@ferc.gov.
Once MS HUB formally files its
application with the Commission, you
may want to become an ‘‘intervenor,’’
which is an official party to the
proceeding. Intervenors play a more
formal role in the process and are able
to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be
heard by the courts if they choose to
appeal the Commission’s final ruling.
An intervenor formally participates in a
Commission proceeding by filing a
request to intervene. Instructions for
becoming an intervenor are included in
the User’s Guide under the ‘‘e-filing’’
link on the Commission’s Web site.
Please note that you may not request
intervenor status at this time. You must
wait until a formal application is filed
with the Commission. MS HUB
currently plans to file its formal
application in March 2009.
Public Meetings and Site Visits
As part of the Pre-filing Process
review, FERC staff will participate in a
public open house sponsored by MS
HUB in the project area on November
18, 2008 to explain the environmental
review process to interested
stakeholders and take comments about
the project. MS HUB will mail out a
separate invitation regarding this public
open house event to all affected
landowners and other interested parties.
For additional information regarding the
open house, please contact MS HUB
directly at 1–866–429–5289.
In addition, on November 19, 2008,
the FERC staff will conduct a public site
visit to view the proposed facility
locations and pipeline route.
Examination will be by automobile and
on foot. Representatives of MS HUB will
be accompanying the FERC staff. All
interested parties may attend. Those
planning to attend must provide their
own transportation and should meet at
the location and time described below.
MS HUB’s open house and the FERC’s
site visit are designed to provide
another opportunity to offer comments
on the proposed Project. Interested
groups and individuals are encouraged
to attend the meetings and to present
comments on the environmental issues
that they believe should be addressed in
the EA. The open house and site visit
are scheduled as follows:
Date
Location
MS HUB Open House, Tuesday, November 18th, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
(CST).
M. G. Dyess Inc., 7159 Hwy 35 South, Bassfield, MS 39421 (approximately 1 mile south of the intersection of Hwy 42 and Hwy 35; M. G.
Dyess facility on west side of Hwy 35).
Meet at 9 a.m. at the: Wal-Mart Super Center, 1625 Simpson Hwy #49,
Magee, MS 39111.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
FERC Site Visit, Wednesday, November 19th at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CST)
For additional information, you may
contact the Commission’s Office of
External Affairs at 1–866–208–FERC
(3372).
VerDate Aug<31>2005
16:58 Oct 31, 2008
Jkt 217001
Environmental Mailing List
An effort is being made to send this
notice to all individuals, organizations,
and government entities interested in
and/or potentially affected by the
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
proposed project. This includes all
landowners who are potential right-ofway grantors, whose property may be
used temporarily for project purposes,
or who own homes within distances
defined in the Commission’s regulations
E:\FR\FM\03NON1.SGM
03NON1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 213 / Monday, November 3, 2008 / Notices
of certain aboveground facilities. By this
notice we are also asking governmental
agencies, especially those in Appendix
2, to express their interest in becoming
cooperating agencies for the preparation
of the EA.
We may mail the EA for comment. If
you are interested in receiving the EA
for review and/or comment, please
return the Mail List Retention Form
(Appendix 3). In addition, all
individuals who provide written
comments to the FERC will remain on
our environmental mailing list for this
project. If you do not return the Mail
List Retention Form or provide written
comments, you will be taken off the
mailing list.
sroberts on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES
Additional Information
16:58 Oct 31, 2008
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–26081 Filed 10–31–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER09–107–000]
KODA Energy, LLC; Supplemental
Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate
Filing Includes Request for Blanket
Section 204 Authorization
October 27, 2008.
Additional information about the
project is available from the
Commission’s Office of External Affairs,
at 1–866–208–FERC or on the FERC
Internet Web site (https://www.ferc.gov)
using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ‘‘General Search’’
and enter the docket number excluding
the last three digits in the Docket
Number field (e.g., PF08–29). Be sure
you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact
FERC Online Support at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free
at 1–866–208–3676, or for TTY, contact
(202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also
provides access to the texts of formal
documents issued by the Commission,
such as orders, notices, and
rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission now
offers a free service called eSubscription
which allows you to keep track of all
formal issuances and submittals in
specific dockets. This can reduce the
amount of time you spend researching
proceedings by automatically providing
you with notification of these filings,
document summaries, and direct links
to the documents. Go to https://
www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Fact sheets prepared by the FERC are
also available for viewing on the FERC
Internet Web site (www.ferc.gov), using
the ‘‘For Citizens’’ link. The fact sheet,
‘‘Guide to Electronic Information at
FERC,’’ provides instructions on how to
stay informed and participate in the
Commission’s proceedings.
Public meetings or site visits will be
posted on the Commission’s calendar
located at https://www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along
with other related information.
Finally, MS HUB will be updating its
Web site at https://
www.MississippiHub.com to share news
VerDate Aug<31>2005
and updates as the environmental
review of its project proceeds.
Jkt 217001
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of KODA
Energy, LLC’s application for marketbased rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that
such application includes a request for
blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
part 34, of future issuances of securities
and assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is November
26, 2008.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with Internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
should submit an original and 14 copies
of the intervention or protest to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First St. NE., Washington, DC
20426.
The filings in the above-referenced
proceeding are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system by
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
65305
clicking on the appropriate link in the
above list. They are also available for
review in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC.
There is an eSubscription link on the
Web site that enables subscribers to
receive e-mail notification when a
document is added to a subscribed
dockets(s). For assistance with any
FERC Online service, please e-mail
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or call
(866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202) 502–8659.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–26114 Filed 10–31–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER09–109–000]
Scotia Capital Energy Inc.;
Supplemental Notice That Initial
Market-Based Rate Filing Includes
Request for Blanket Section 204
Authorization
October 27, 2008.
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of Scotia
Capital Energy Inc.’s application for
market-based rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that
such application includes a request for
blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
part 34, of future issuances of securities
and assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is November
26, 2008.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with Internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
E:\FR\FM\03NON1.SGM
03NON1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 213 (Monday, November 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65303-65305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26081]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF08-29-000]
Mississippi Hub, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed MS HUB Expansion Project,
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Site
Visit
October 27, 2008.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will
discuss the environmental impacts of the proposed MS HUB Expansion
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by
Mississippi Hub, LLC (MS HUB) in Simpson, Jefferson Davis and Covington
Counties, Mississippi. The EA will be used by the Commission in its
decision-making process to determine whether or not to authorize the
project under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
This notice explains the scoping process we \1\ will use to gather
environmental input from the public and interested agencies, and
summarizes the project review process for the FERC. Your input will
help determine which issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Details on
how to submit comments during the scoping period are provided in the
Public Participation section of this notice. Please note that the
scoping period will close on December 3, 2008.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice is being sent to potentially affected landowners;
federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. State and local
government representatives are asked to notify their constituents of
this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of
concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted
by a MS HUB company representative about survey permission and/or the
acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the
proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually
acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by the
Commission, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain.
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the
natural gas company could initiate condemnation proceedings in
accordance with state law.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for
viewing on the FERC Web site (https://www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet
addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of
eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings.
Summary of the Proposed Project
MS HUB proposes to expand the working gas capacity of its currently
authorized salt dome natural gas storage facility in Mississippi from
12 billion standard cubic feet (Bcf) to 15 Bcf and construct two new
natural gas pipelines in an extension of its South Pipeline Corridor.
Specifically, MS HUB seeks authority to construct and operate:
Two solution-mined salt dome caverns, expanded from a
working gas capacity of 6.0 Bcf to 7.5 Bcf each;
Approximately 14.2 miles of 24-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline, extending from the gas storage facility to an interconnect
with the Southeast Supply Header (SESH) pipeline;
Approximately 22.6 miles of 30-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline, extending from the gas storage facility to an interconnect
with a Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) pipeline;
Aboveground tie-in and metering facilities at each
interconnect site;
Associated access roads; and
An additional 15,800 horsepower (hp) of compression at the
gas storage site.
The general location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix
1.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices are
available on the Commission's Web site at the ``eLibrary'' link or
from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502-8371. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary refer to the last page of this notice. Copies
of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in
the mail.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction of the proposed facilities would require approximately
340 acres of land. Following construction, approximately 136 acres
would be maintained as new pipeline right-of-way and aboveground
facility sites. The remaining acreage would be restored and allowed to
revert to its former use. If approved, MS HUB proposes to begin
construction of the project in August 2009.
The EA Process
We are preparing an EA to comply with the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) which requires the Commission to take into
account the environmental impact that could result if it authorizes MS
HUB's proposal. NEPA also requires us to discover and address the
public's concerns about proposals that require federal authorizations.
This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the
scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important
environmental issues.
By this notice, we are requesting public comments on the scope of
the issues to be addressed in the EA. All comments received will be
considered during preparation of the EA. We are also asking Federal,
State, and local agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise
with respect to environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in
the preparation of the EA. Agencies that would like to request
cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments
provided below.
Although no formal application has been filed with the Commission,
the FERC staff has initiated its review of the project under its NEPA
Pre-filing Process to encourage the early involvement of stakeholders
and to identify and resolve issues before an application is filed. The
purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to seek public and agency input
early in the project planning phase and encourage involvement by
interested stakeholders in a manner that allows for the early
identification and resolution of environmental issues. We will work
with all interested stakeholders to identify and attempt to address
issues before MS HUB files its application with the FERC.
The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the proposed project, under the general
headings of geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries,
and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; threatened
and endangered species; air quality and noise; safety and reliability;
and cumulative impacts. The EA will also evaluate reasonable
alternatives to the proposed project, and make recommendations on how
to
[[Page 65304]]
lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending
on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be
published and mailed to Federal, State, and local agencies; newspapers;
libraries; interested individuals who return the Mail List Retention
Form in Appendix 3; and the Commission's official service list for this
proceeding. An additional comment period may be allotted for review
when the EA is published. We will consider all comments on the EA
before we make our recommendations to the Commission.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have already identified several issues that we think deserve
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and
the environmental information provided by MS HUB. This preliminary list
of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
Federally listed endangered or threatened species may
occur in the proposed project area.
Construction impacts to wetlands located in the proposed
project area.
Construction activities near residences and structures.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the MS HUB Expansion Project. Your comments
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To
ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send
in your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or
before December 3, 2008.
For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to
submit your written comments to the Commission. In all instances please
reference the project docket number (PF08-29-000) with your submission.
The three methods are:
(1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site
at https://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only
comments on a project;
(2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or
``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you are
making. A comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment on
a Filing;'' or
(3) You may file your comments via mail to the Commission by
sending an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE.,
Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 3,
PJ-11.3.
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258
or efiling@ferc.gov.
Once MS HUB formally files its application with the Commission, you
may want to become an ``intervenor,'' which is an official party to the
proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are
able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the
User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site.
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time.
You must wait until a formal application is filed with the Commission.
MS HUB currently plans to file its formal application in March 2009.
Public Meetings and Site Visits
As part of the Pre-filing Process review, FERC staff will
participate in a public open house sponsored by MS HUB in the project
area on November 18, 2008 to explain the environmental review process
to interested stakeholders and take comments about the project. MS HUB
will mail out a separate invitation regarding this public open house
event to all affected landowners and other interested parties. For
additional information regarding the open house, please contact MS HUB
directly at 1-866-429-5289.
In addition, on November 19, 2008, the FERC staff will conduct a
public site visit to view the proposed facility locations and pipeline
route. Examination will be by automobile and on foot. Representatives
of MS HUB will be accompanying the FERC staff. All interested parties
may attend. Those planning to attend must provide their own
transportation and should meet at the location and time described
below.
MS HUB's open house and the FERC's site visit are designed to
provide another opportunity to offer comments on the proposed Project.
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the meetings
and to present comments on the environmental issues that they believe
should be addressed in the EA. The open house and site visit are
scheduled as follows:
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Date Location
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MS HUB Open House, Tuesday, November M. G. Dyess Inc., 7159 Hwy 35
18th, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (CST). South, Bassfield, MS 39421
(approximately 1 mile south of
the intersection of Hwy 42 and
Hwy 35; M. G. Dyess facility
on west side of Hwy 35).
FERC Site Visit, Wednesday, November Meet at 9 a.m. at the: Wal-Mart
19th at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CST). Super Center, 1625 Simpson Hwy
49, Magee, MS 39111.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
For additional information, you may contact the Commission's Office
of External Affairs at 1-866-208-FERC (3372).
Environmental Mailing List
An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the proposed project. This includes all landowners who are
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily
for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the
Commission's regulations
[[Page 65305]]
of certain aboveground facilities. By this notice we are also asking
governmental agencies, especially those in Appendix 2, to express their
interest in becoming cooperating agencies for the preparation of the
EA.
We may mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in receiving
the EA for review and/or comment, please return the Mail List Retention
Form (Appendix 3). In addition, all individuals who provide written
comments to the FERC will remain on our environmental mailing list for
this project. If you do not return the Mail List Retention Form or
provide written comments, you will be taken off the mailing list.
Additional Information
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the
FERC Internet Web site (https://www.ferc.gov) using the ``eLibrary''
link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter
the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number
field (e.g., PF08-29). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY,
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to
the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Fact sheets prepared by the FERC are also available for viewing on
the FERC Internet Web site (www.ferc.gov), using the ``For Citizens''
link. The fact sheet, ``Guide to Electronic Information at FERC,''
provides instructions on how to stay informed and participate in the
Commission's proceedings.
Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx
along with other related information.
Finally, MS HUB will be updating its Web site at https://
www.MississippiHub.com to share news and updates as the environmental
review of its project proceeds.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-26081 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P