Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage); Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Bobcat Gas Storage Project Expansion and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 75702-75705 [E8-29474]
Download as PDF
75702
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 240 / Friday, December 12, 2008 / Notices
www.ferc.gov/filing-comments.asp.
More information about this project can
be viewed or printed on the ‘‘eLibrary’’
link of the Commission’s Web site at
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number
(P–13302) in the docket number field to
access the document. For assistance,
call toll-free 1–866–208–3372.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–29473 Filed 12–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP09–27–000]
Southern Natural Gas Company;
Notice of Application
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
December 8, 2008.
Take notice that on November 26,
2008, Southern Natural Gas Company
(Southern), 569 Brookwood Village,
Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35209,
filed in the above referenced docket an
application pursuant to section 7(b) of
the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and part 157
of the Commission’s regulations, for an
order approving the abandonment of
approximately 97 miles of pipe in
various segments and appurtenant
facilities located on Southern’s North
Main Loop Pipeline in Sharkey, Yazoo,
Winston, Noxubee, and Lowndes
Counties, Mississippi, and Pickens and
Tuscaloosa Counties, Alabama, and
abandonment of three small compressor
units at Southern’s Onward Compressor
Station in Sharkey County, Mississippi.
Southern also proposes to make certain
modifications that will allow Southern
to continue meeting its firm capacity
requirements on the North Main Line
and the North Main 2nd Loop Line, all
as more fully set forth in the application
which is on file with the Commission
and open to public inspection. The
filing is available for review at the
Commission in the Public Reference
Room or may be viewed on the
Commission’s Web site web at https://
www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. For
assistance, contact FERC at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TTY, (202)
502–8659.
Any questions concerning this
application may be directed to Patrick
B. Pope, Vice President and General
Counsel, Southern Natural Gas
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:56 Dec 11, 2008
Jkt 217001
Company, 569 Brookwood Village, Suite
501, Birmingham, Alabama 35209 at
(205) 325–7126, or Patricia S. Francis,
Senior Counsel, Southern Natural Gas
Company, 569 Brookwood Village, Suite
501, Birmingham, Alabama 35209 at
(205) 325–7696.
There are two ways to become
involved in the Commission’s review of
this project. First, any person wishing to
obtain legal status by becoming a party
to the proceedings for this project
should, on or before the comment date
stated below file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,
a motion to intervene in accordance
with the requirements of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211)
and the Regulations under the NGA (18
CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party
status will be placed on the service list
maintained by the Secretary of the
Commission and will receive copies of
all documents filed by the applicant and
by all other parties. A party must submit
14 copies of filings made in the
proceeding with the Commission and
must mail a copy to the applicant and
to every other party. Only parties to the
proceeding can ask for court review of
Commission orders in the proceeding.
However, a person does not have to
intervene in order to have comments
considered. The second way to
participate is by filing with the
Secretary of the Commission, as soon as
possible, an original and two copies of
comments in support of or in opposition
to this project. The Commission will
consider these comments in
determining the appropriate action to be
taken, but the filing of a comment alone
will not serve to make the filer a party
to the proceeding. The Commission’s
rules require that persons filing
comments in opposition to the project
provide copies of their protests only to
the party or parties directly involved in
the protest.
Persons who wish to comment only
on the environmental review of this
project should submit an original and
two copies of their comments to the
Secretary of the Commission.
Environmental commentors will be
placed on the Commission’s
environmental mailing list, will receive
copies of the environmental documents,
and will be notified of meetings
associated with the Commission’s
environmental review process.
Environmental commentors will not be
required to serve copies of filed
documents on all other parties.
However, the non-party commentors
will not receive copies of all documents
filed by other parties or issued by the
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Commission (except for the mailing of
environmental documents issued by the
Commission) and will not have the right
to seek court review of the
Commission’s final order.
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filings of comments, protests
and interventions in lieu of paper using
the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https://
www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file
electronically should submit an original
and 14 copies of the protest or
intervention to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First
Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426.
This filing is accessible on-line at
https://www.ferc.gov, using the
‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is 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
docket(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.
Comment Date: December 29, 2008.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–29471 Filed 12–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP09–19–000]
Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a
Bobcat Gas Storage); Notice of Intent
To Prepare an Environmental
Assessment for the Proposed Bobcat
Gas Storage Project Expansion and
Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues
December 8, 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 Bobcat Gas Storage Project
Expansion (Bobcat Expansion) involving
construction and operation of additional
natural gas storage caverns and pipeline
facilities by Port Barre Investments,
L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage
(Bobcat)) in St. Landry Parish,
Louisiana.1 The EA will be used by the
1 The Bobcat Gas Storage Project was authorized
by the Commission on July 20, 2006 in Docket No.
CP06–66–000, and amended on April 19, 2007 and
March 4, 2008 in Docket Nos. CP06–66–001 and
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 240 / Friday, December 12, 2008 / Notices
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 2 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 January 7, 2009.
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
Bobcat 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.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Summary of the Proposed Project
The Bobcat Gas Storage Site currently
has an overall natural gas storage
capacity of 20.4 billion cubic feet (Bcf),
with 15.6 Bcf of working gas capacity in
two solution-mined salt storage caverns;
Bobcat Cavern No. 1 which was placed
into service November 1, 2008, and
CP06–66–002, respectively. Construction of the
Bobcat Gas Storage Project began in December 2006
and is ongoing.
2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the FERC’s Office of Energy
Projects.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:56 Dec 11, 2008
Jkt 217001
Bobcat Cavern No. 2 which is currently
under construction. Bobcat has
proposed to expand its storage and
deliverability capabilities to satisfy its
customers growing demand for natural
gas storage. The proposed Bobcat
Expansion would involve construction
of three additional storage caverns at the
existing Bobcat Gas Storage Site to
increase the overall storage capacity by
about 31.5 Bcf (24 Bcf working gas, 7.5
Bcf cushion gas).3 Bobcat would also
expand its compressor station by
installing additional gas-fired engine
compressors, resulting in a station total
of 64,575 horsepower (hp). In addition,
Bobcat would construct new pipeline
facilities and modify four meter stations
to accommodate the increased
deliverability.
Specifically, the Expansion Project
would include construction and
operation of:
• Three new salt cavern storage wells
(Bobcat Nos. 3, 4, and 5) and ancillary
facilities to connect the caverns to
Bobcat’s existing facilities;
• 26,695 hp of additional
compression and two dehydration units
totaling 600 million cubic feet per day
(MMcfd) at the existing Bobcat
Compressor Station;
• A 9.96-mile-long, 20-inch-diameter
natural gas pipeline loop 4 constructed
in the existing North Pipeline Corridor;
• A 2.68-mile-long, 16-inch-diameter
natural gas pipeline loop constructed in
the existing West Pipeline Corridor;
• Modification of the existing
metering facilities at pipeline
interconnects with Gulf South Pipeline,
Texas Eastern Transmission, L.P., ANR
Pipeline, and Transcontinental Gas Pipe
Line Company; and
• Expansion of the existing West
Pipeline Tie-Over Site to include a new
pig 5 launcher and pipeline tie-in.
The general location of the Expansion
Project facilities is shown in Appendix
1.6
3 ‘‘Cushion gas’’ (also referred to as base gas) is
the volume of gas that is intended as permanent
inventory in a storage reservoir to maintain
adequate pressure and deliverability rates.
‘‘Working gas’’ is the total gas in storage minus the
base gas. Working gas is the volume of gas available
to the market place at a particular time.
4 A pipeline loop is constructed parallel to an
existing pipeline to increase capacity.
5 A pig is a device used to clean or inspect the
internal surface of a pipeline. They are inserted into
the pipeline by means of a device called a pig
launcher and pushed through the pipeline by
pressure of the flowing fluid, usually gas.
6 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
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If approved, Bobcat proposes to
construct the Bobcat Expansion
facilities during the first quarter of 2009,
and place the new facilities into service
by the third quarter of 2012.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the Bobcat Expansion
would affect a total of approximately
119.6 acres of land. Following
construction, a total of about 114.0 acres
of land would be allowed to revert to
previous conditions. The remaining 5.6
acres of land would be retained for
operation of aboveground facilities and
access roads. Permanent rights-of-way
in agricultural lands would be restored
to agricultural uses following
construction.
With the exception of 0.04 acre
required for expanding the West
Pipeline Tie-Over Site, all construction
activity would be located on property
owned or leased by Bobcat, or within
previously disturbed construction
rights-of-way and workspaces. The
proposed storage caverns and
compressor station expansion would be
located within the existing 83-acre Gas
Storage Site. The pipeline loops would
be located within existing Bobcat rightsof-way. Bobcat has not proposed to
acquire additional permanent rights-ofway to operate the proposed pipelines.
Modifications to the meter stations
would occur entirely within the existing
fencelines for each station. The West
Pipeline Tie-Over Site would be
expanded (40 feet by 40 feet),
permanently impacting 0.04 acre of
agricultural land.
Bobcat would use previously
authorized public and private roads to
access the construction rights-of-way
and aboveground facilities. Bobcat
would construct two new access roads
and relocate an existing permanent
access road within the previously
authorized 83-acre Gas Storage Site to
provide permanent access to the
proposed Bobcat cavern wells Nos. 4
and 5.
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 Bobcat’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
last page of this notice. Copies of the appendices
were sent to all those receiving this notice in the
mail.
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 240 / Friday, December 12, 2008 / Notices
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.
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
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; and the
Commission’s official service list for
this proceeding. An additional comment
period will be allotted for review if the
EA is published. We will consider all
comments on the EA before we make
our recommendations to the
Commission.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
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
Bobcat. This preliminary list of issues
may be changed based on your
comments and our analysis.
• Construction impacts to wetlands
located in the proposed project area.
• Construction and operational noise
near residences and structures.
• Additional water pumping
requirements for cavern leaching.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Bobcat
Expansion Project. Your comments
should focus on the potential
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:56 Dec 11, 2008
Jkt 217001
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 January 7,
2009.
For your convenience, there are three
methods which you can use to submit
your written comments to the
Commission. 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.
In all instances please reference the
project docket number (CP09–19–000)
with your submission. The Commission
strongly encourages electronic filing of
comments and has dedicated eFiling
expert staff available to assist you at
202–502–8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EA
scoping process, you may want to
become an official party to the
proceeding known as an ‘‘intervenor’’.
Intervenors play a more formal role in
the process. Among other things,
intervenors have the right to receive
copies of case-related Commission
documents and filings by other
intervenors. Likewise, each intervenor
must send one electronic copy (using
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Sfmt 4703
the Commission’s eFiling system) or 14
paper copies of its filings to the
Secretary of the Commission and must
send a copy of its filings to all other
parties on the Commission’s service list
for this proceeding. If you want to
become an intervenor you must file a
motion to intervene according to Rule
214 of the Commission’s Rules of
Practice and Procedure (18 CFR
385.214). Interventions may also be filed
electronically via the Commission’s
Internet Web site at https://www.ferc.gov.
Only intervenors have the right to seek
rehearing of the Commission’s decision.
Affected landowners and parties with
environmental concerns may be granted
intervenor status upon showing good
cause by stating that they have a clear
and direct interest in this proceeding
which would not be adequately
represented by any other parties. You do
not need intervenor status to have your
environmental comments considered.
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-ofway grantors, whose property may be
used temporarily for project purposes,
or who own homes within distances
defined in the Commission’s regulations
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., CP09–19). Be sure
you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact
FERC Online Support at
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 240 / Friday, December 12, 2008 / Notices
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 (https://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.
Finally, Bobcat will be updating its
Web site at https://
www.BobcatStorage.com/ to share news
and updates as the environmental
review of its project proceeds.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–29474 Filed 12–11–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
[Docket Nos. RP09–8–000]
Tuscarora Gas Transmission
Company; Notice Deferring Technical
Conference Date
December 8, 2008.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[FRL–8751–1]
AGENCY: Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
On December 8, 2008, Tuscarora Gas
Transmission Company (Tuscarora)
filed a request for deferral of the
technical conference scheduled in the
above-captioned proceeding for
December 11, 2008.1 Tuscarora states
that deferral of the technical conference
until January 15, 2009, will provide
additional time for settlement
discussions among the parties.
Tuscarora further states that it has
contacted the intervenors in this
proceeding and is authorized by all
1 The Commission directed that a technical
conference be held to address the issues raised by
Tuscarora’s October 1, 2008 tariff filing in this
proceeding. Tuscarora Gas Transmission Co., 125
FERC ¶ 61,133 (2008).
19:56 Dec 11, 2008
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8–29463 Filed 12–11–08; 8:45 am]
Agency Information Collection
Activities OMB Responses
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
VerDate Aug<31>2005
parties to express their support for this
request.
By this notice, Tuscarora’s request for
deferral of the technical conference date
is granted. The technical conference
scheduled for December 11, 2008, is
cancelled and will be rescheduled for
Thursday, January 15, 2009, at 10 a.m
(EDT), in a room to be designated at the
offices of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426.
FERC conferences are accessible
under section 508 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. For accessibility
accommodations please send an e-mail
to accessibility@ferc.gov or call toll free
(866) 208–3372 (voice) or (202) 502–
8659 (TTY), or send a fax to (202) 208–
2106 with the required
accommodations.
All interested persons are permitted
to attend. For further information please
contact Timothy Duggan at (202) 502–
8326 or e-mail
Timothy.Duggan@ferc.gov.
Jkt 217001
SUMMARY: This document announces the
Office of Management and Budget’s
(OMB) responses to Agency Clearance
requests, in compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
3501 et seq.). An agency may not
conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, a collection of
information unless it displays a
currently valid OMB control number.
The OMB control numbers for EPA’s
regulations are listed in 40 CFR part 9
and 48 CFR chapter 15.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rick
Westlund (202) 566–1682, or e-mail at
westlund.rick@epa.gov and please refer
to the appropriate EPA Information
Collection Request (ICR) Number.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
OMB Responses to Agency Clearance
Requests
Correction to Previous Action
EPA ICR Number 2097.03; The
National Primary Drinking Water
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75705
Regulations; Long Term 2 Enhanced
Surface Water Treatment Rule; OMB
Number 2040–0266; on 10/31/2008,
OMB corrected a previous Disapproval
of this ICR. The ICR is approved through
12/31/2008.
OMB Approvals
EPA ICR Number 1977.03; National
Wastewater Operator Training and
Technical Assistance Program—Clean
Water Act 104(g)(1) (Renewal); in 40
CFR part 45; was approved 11/21/2008;
OMB Number 2040–0238; expires 11/
30/2011.
EPA ICR Number 1759.05; Pesticide
Worker Protection Standard Training
and Notification; in 40 CFR part 170;
was approved 11/25/2008; OMB
Number 2070–0148; expires 11/30/2011.
EPA ICR Number 1985.04; NESHAP
for Leather Finishing Operations
(Renewal); in 40 CFR part 63, subpart
TTTT; was approved 11/28/2008; OMB
Number 2060–0478; expires 11/30/2011.
EPA ICR Number 1850.05; NESHAP
for Primary Cooper Smelters (Renewal);
in 40 CFR part 63, subpart QQQ; was
approved 11/28/2008; OMB Number
2060–0476; expires 11/30/2011.
EPA ICR Number 2025.04; NESHAP
for Friction Materials Manufacturing
(Renewal); in 40 CFR part 63, subpart
QQQQQ; was approved 11/28/2008;
OMB Number 2060–0481; expires 11/
30/2011.
EPA ICR Number 2066.04; NESHAP
for Engine Test Cells/Stands (Renewal);
in 40 CFR part 63, subpart PPPPP; was
approved 11/28/2008; OMB Number
2060–0481; expires 11/30/2011.
EPA ICR Number 1750.05; National
Volatile Organic Compound Emission
Standards for Architectural Coatings
(Renewal); in 40 CFR part 59, subpart D;
was approved 12/02/2008; OMB
Number 2060–0393; expires 12/31/2011.
EPA ICR Number 1896.08;
Disinfectants/Disinifection Byproducts,
Chemical and Radionuclides (Renewal);
in 40 CFR parts 141 and 142; was
approved 12/04/2008; OMB Number
2040–0204; expires 12/31/2011.
OMB Comments Filed
EPA ICR Number 1989.05; Revised
National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Permit Regulations
for Concentrated Animal Feeding
Operations (SNPRM); on 11/19/2008
OMB filed comment.
EPA ICR Number 2279.01; Aircraft
Drinking Water (Proposed Rule); on 11/
20/2008 OMB filed comment.
Withdrawn from OMB
EPA ICR Number 2255.01;
Performance Measurement Reporting for
Training and Education/Outreach; was
E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM
12DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 240 (Friday, December 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75702-75705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29474]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP09-19-000]
Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage); Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed
Bobcat Gas Storage Project Expansion and Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues
December 8, 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 Bobcat Gas Storage
Project Expansion (Bobcat Expansion) involving construction and
operation of additional natural gas storage caverns and pipeline
facilities by Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage
(Bobcat)) in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.\1\ The EA will be used by
the
[[Page 75703]]
Commission in its decision-making process to determine whether or not
to authorize the project under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
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\1\ The Bobcat Gas Storage Project was authorized by the
Commission on July 20, 2006 in Docket No. CP06-66-000, and amended
on April 19, 2007 and March 4, 2008 in Docket Nos. CP06-66-001 and
CP06-66-002, respectively. Construction of the Bobcat Gas Storage
Project began in December 2006 and is ongoing.
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This notice explains the scoping process we \2\ 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 January 7, 2009.
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\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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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 Bobcat 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
The Bobcat Gas Storage Site currently has an overall natural gas
storage capacity of 20.4 billion cubic feet (Bcf), with 15.6 Bcf of
working gas capacity in two solution-mined salt storage caverns; Bobcat
Cavern No. 1 which was placed into service November 1, 2008, and Bobcat
Cavern No. 2 which is currently under construction. Bobcat has proposed
to expand its storage and deliverability capabilities to satisfy its
customers growing demand for natural gas storage. The proposed Bobcat
Expansion would involve construction of three additional storage
caverns at the existing Bobcat Gas Storage Site to increase the overall
storage capacity by about 31.5 Bcf (24 Bcf working gas, 7.5 Bcf cushion
gas).\3\ Bobcat would also expand its compressor station by installing
additional gas-fired engine compressors, resulting in a station total
of 64,575 horsepower (hp). In addition, Bobcat would construct new
pipeline facilities and modify four meter stations to accommodate the
increased deliverability.
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\3\ ``Cushion gas'' (also referred to as base gas) is the volume
of gas that is intended as permanent inventory in a storage
reservoir to maintain adequate pressure and deliverability rates.
``Working gas'' is the total gas in storage minus the base gas.
Working gas is the volume of gas available to the market place at a
particular time.
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Specifically, the Expansion Project would include construction and
operation of:
Three new salt cavern storage wells (Bobcat Nos. 3, 4, and
5) and ancillary facilities to connect the caverns to Bobcat's existing
facilities;
26,695 hp of additional compression and two dehydration
units totaling 600 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) at the existing
Bobcat Compressor Station;
A 9.96-mile-long, 20-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline
loop \4\ constructed in the existing North Pipeline Corridor;
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\4\ A pipeline loop is constructed parallel to an existing
pipeline to increase capacity.
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A 2.68-mile-long, 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline
loop constructed in the existing West Pipeline Corridor;
Modification of the existing metering facilities at
pipeline interconnects with Gulf South Pipeline, Texas Eastern
Transmission, L.P., ANR Pipeline, and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
Company; and
Expansion of the existing West Pipeline Tie-Over Site to
include a new pig \5\ launcher and pipeline tie-in.
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\5\ A pig is a device used to clean or inspect the internal
surface of a pipeline. They are inserted into the pipeline by means
of a device called a pig launcher and pushed through the pipeline by
pressure of the flowing fluid, usually gas.
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The general location of the Expansion Project facilities is shown
in Appendix 1.\6\
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\6\ 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.
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If approved, Bobcat proposes to construct the Bobcat Expansion
facilities during the first quarter of 2009, and place the new
facilities into service by the third quarter of 2012.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the Bobcat Expansion would affect a total of
approximately 119.6 acres of land. Following construction, a total of
about 114.0 acres of land would be allowed to revert to previous
conditions. The remaining 5.6 acres of land would be retained for
operation of aboveground facilities and access roads. Permanent rights-
of-way in agricultural lands would be restored to agricultural uses
following construction.
With the exception of 0.04 acre required for expanding the West
Pipeline Tie-Over Site, all construction activity would be located on
property owned or leased by Bobcat, or within previously disturbed
construction rights-of-way and workspaces. The proposed storage caverns
and compressor station expansion would be located within the existing
83-acre Gas Storage Site. The pipeline loops would be located within
existing Bobcat rights-of-way. Bobcat has not proposed to acquire
additional permanent rights-of-way to operate the proposed pipelines.
Modifications to the meter stations would occur entirely within the
existing fencelines for each station. The West Pipeline Tie-Over Site
would be expanded (40 feet by 40 feet), permanently impacting 0.04 acre
of agricultural land.
Bobcat would use previously authorized public and private roads to
access the construction rights-of-way and aboveground facilities.
Bobcat would construct two new access roads and relocate an existing
permanent access road within the previously authorized 83-acre Gas
Storage Site to provide permanent access to the proposed Bobcat cavern
wells Nos. 4 and 5.
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
Bobcat'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
[[Page 75704]]
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.
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 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; and the Commission's official
service list for this proceeding. An additional comment period will be
allotted for review if 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 Bobcat. This preliminary list
of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
Construction impacts to wetlands located in the proposed
project area.
Construction and operational noise near residences and
structures.
Additional water pumping requirements for cavern leaching.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Bobcat 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 January 7, 2009.
For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to
submit your written comments to the Commission. 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.
In all instances please reference the project docket number (CP09-
19-000) with your submission. The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filing of comments and has dedicated eFiling expert staff
available to assist you at 202-502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want
to become an official party to the proceeding known as an
``intervenor''. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process.
Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of
case-related Commission documents and filings by other intervenors.
Likewise, each intervenor must send one electronic copy (using the
Commission's eFiling system) or 14 paper copies of its filings to the
Secretary of the Commission and must send a copy of its filings to all
other parties on the Commission's service list for this proceeding. If
you want to become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene
according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and
Procedure (18 CFR 385.214). Interventions may also be filed
electronically via the Commission's Internet Web site at https://
www.ferc.gov. Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the
Commission's decision.
Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor
status to have your environmental comments considered.
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 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., CP09-19). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
[[Page 75705]]
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 (https://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.
Finally, Bobcat will be updating its Web site at https://
www.BobcatStorage.com/ to share news and updates as the environmental
review of its project proceeds.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-29474 Filed 12-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P