Calais LNG Project Company, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Calais LNG Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues Related to the Potential Expansion of the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline System, 26677-26679 [E9-12869]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 3, 2009 / Notices
[FR Doc. E9–12913 Filed 6–2–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. PF08–24–000]
Calais LNG Project Company, LLC;
Supplemental Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for the Calais LNG Project
and Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues Related to the
Potential Expansion of the Maritimes &
Northeast Pipeline System
PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
May 27, 2009.
As previously noticed on November
20, 2008, and supplemented herein, the
staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC or Commission) will
prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) that will discuss
environmental impacts that could result
from construction and operation of the
Calais Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Project planned by the Calais LNG
Project Company, LLC (Calais LNG).
The EIS will be used by the Commission
in its decision making process to
determine whether the project is in the
public convenience and necessity.
The planned Calais LNG Project
would consist of an onshore LNG
import and storage terminal located just
north of Ford Point on the St. Croix
River, about 6 miles southeast of the
Town of Calais in Washington County,
Maine; and about 20 miles of natural gas
sendout pipeline between the LNG
terminal and an interconnection with
the existing Maritimes & Northeast
Pipeline L.L.C.’s (M&NE) pipeline
system near the Town of Baileyville,
Maine. The M&NE system currently
does not have sufficient capacity to
transport the natural gas that would be
supplied by the LNG terminal.
Therefore, if the Calais LNG Project is
authorized and placed into service, the
M&NE system would require expansion
in Maine, Massachusetts, and New
Hampshire.
This Supplemental Notice of Intent
(NOI) discloses the potential facilities
that are anticipated to expand M&NE’s
system, based on information provided
to Calais LNG by M&NE. Although
M&NE is not proposing to construct
these facilities and does not have an
application before the FERC, these
expanded M&NE facilities are likely a
necessary part of the project. An
analysis of the impacts of these facilities
will be included in the EIS being
prepared for the Calais LNG facility.
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16:08 Jun 02, 2009
Jkt 217001
This Supplemental NOI is being issued
to notify the public about the
anticipated M&NE system expansion
and to request comments regarding the
possible environmental impact of those
facilities. Your input will help
determine what issues need to be
evaluated in the EIS regarding the
M&NE system expansion. Please note
that the scoping period for this
supplemental NOI will close on June 29,
2009.
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for this project, which
includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and
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.
Summary of the Anticipated M&NE
Expansion
The following facilities have been
identified by M&NE as necessary to
accommodate the gas volumes to be
delivered by Calais LNG. A summary of
the Calais LNG Project was included in
the NOI issued on November 20, 2008,
and the scoping period closed on
December 22, 2008. This NOI may also
be accessed via the FERC eLibrary.
Instructions about using eLibrary are
included in the Additional Information
section on page 7.
26677
County, Maine to MP 143.4 in
Sagadahoc County, Maine);
• Searsmont Loop—35.5 miles of 36inch-diameter pipeline adjacent to the
existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II
Mainline (MP 152.0 in Kennebec
County, Maine to MP 185.5 in Waldo
County, Maine);
• Brewer Loop—34.2 miles of 36inch-diameter pipeline adjacent to the
existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II
Mainline (MP 191.6 in Waldo County,
Maine to MP 225.8 in Penobscot
County, Maine);
• WC Ridge Loop—35.2 miles of 36inch-diameter pipeline adjacent to the
existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II
Mainline (MP 230.8 in Penobscot
County, Maine to MP 266.0 in Hancock
County, Maine); and
• Baileyville Loop—30.9 miles of 36inch-diameter pipeline adjacent to the
existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II
Mainline (MP 271.3 in Washington
County, Maine to MP 302.2 in
Washington County, Maine).
Nearly all 233.4 miles of the required
looping are in or adjacent to the existing
Joint Mainline or Phase II Mainline
ROW or other utility or road ROWs.
M&NE’s primary goal would be to align,
as much as possible, the new looping
parallel to the existing Phase II Mainline
and Joint Mainline with a 25-foot offset.
The side that the loops would be located
on would vary due to residential
impacts, screening, land use,
environmental or construction issues
where known to exist.
Pipeline Looping
Approximately 233.4 miles of 36inch-diameter pipeline looping 1 is
anticipated in or adjacent to the existing
M&NE right-of-way (ROW) or other
nearby utility or road ROWs, as follows:
• Eliot Loop—21.1 miles of 36-inchdiameter pipeline adjacent to the
existing 30-inch-diameter Joint Mainline
(milepost [MP] 31.1 in Rockingham
County, New Hampshire to MP 51.2 in
York County, Maine);
• Westbrook Loop—41.1 miles of 36inch-diameter pipeline adjacent to the
existing 30-inch-diameter Joint Mainline
(MP 60.3 to MP 101.4 in Cumberland
County, Maine);
• Richmond Loop—35.4 miles of 36inch-diameter pipeline adjacent to the
existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II
Mainline (MP 107.9 in Cumberland
Compressor Station Facilities 2
A new meter station would be
required at the tie-in of the Calais LNG
sendout pipeline with the M&NE’s
system in Baileyville, Maine.
Modifications to the existing meter
station in Dracut, Massachusetts would
be necessary, as well as uprating the
maximum allowable operating pressure
of the existing Joint Pipeline Facilities
from Westbrook, Maine to Dracut,
Massachusetts from 1,440 to 1,600
pounds per square inch gauge.
Compression requirements for the
pipeline expansion would likely
include adding a total of 63,000
horsepower of compression to six
existing compressor stations. These
compressor stations include the Eliot
Compressor Station (MP 51.2),
Westbrook Compressor Station (MP
101.4), Richmond Compressor Station
(MP 147.3), Searsmont Compressor
1 A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe that is
installed adjacent to or in the vicinity of an existing
pipeline and connected to the existing pipeline at
both ends. A loop increases the volume of gas that
can be transported through that portion of the
system.
2 Construction of the Westbrook, Searsmont,
Brewer and Woodchopping Ridge Compressor
Stations was recently completed as part of
Maritimes’ Phase IV Project, as described in Docket
No. CP06–335–000. These compressor stations were
placed into service in January 2009.
PO 00000
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 3, 2009 / Notices
Station (MP 185.5), Brewer Compressor
Station (MP 225.8), and WC Ridge
Compressor Station (MP 266.1). M&NE
would install one new Taurus 70
natural gas-driven turbine compressor at
each of these stations. Restaging and
repiping the existing compressor unit
and installation of gas cooling would
also be required at each station.
A map depicting the expansion of the
M&NE facilities downstream of the
interconnection with Calais LNG is
included in appendix 1.3
The EIS Process
PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
The National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to
take into account the environmental
impacts that could result from an action
whenever it considers the issuance of a
Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity. NEPA also requires us 4 to
discover and address concerns the
public may have about proposals. This
process is referred to as ‘‘scoping.’’ The
main goal of the scoping process is to
focus the analysis in the EIS on the
important environmental issues. By this
Supplemental NOI, the Commission
staff requests public comments on the
scope of the issues to address in the EIS.
All comments received will be
considered during the preparation of the
EIS.
In the EIS, we will discuss impacts
that could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the
planned project under these general
headings:
• Geology and soils;
• Land use;
• Water resources, fisheries, and
wetlands;
• Cultural resources;
• Vegetation and wildlife;
• Air quality and noise;
• Endangered and threatened species;
• Hazardous waste; and
• Public safety.
We will also evaluate possible
alternatives to the planned project or
portions of the project, and make
recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource
areas.
Although no formal application has
been filed, we have already initiated our
NEPA review under the Commission’s
3 The appendices referenced in this notice are not
being printed in the Federal Register, but were sent
to all those receiving this notice in the mail. 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 end of this notice.
4 ‘‘We’’, ‘‘us’’, and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of
Energy Projects.
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:08 Jun 02, 2009
Jkt 217001
Pre-filing Process. The purpose of the
Pre-filing Process is to encourage early
involvement of interested stakeholders
and to identify and resolve issues before
an application is filed with the FERC.
As part of our Pre-filing review, we have
begun to contact some federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in
the scoping process and the preparation
of the EIS.
Our independent analysis of the
issues will be in the EIS. The draft EIS
will be mailed to those on our
environmental mailing list (see
discussion of how to remain on our
mailing list on page 6). A 45-day
comment period will be allotted for
review of the draft EIS. We will consider
all timely comments and revise the
document, as necessary, before issuing a
final EIS. To ensure your comments are
considered, please carefully follow the
instructions in the Public Participation
section below.
With this Supplemental NOI, we are
asking agencies with jurisdiction and/or
special expertise with respect to
environmental issues to formally
cooperate with us in the preparation of
the EIS. These agencies may choose to
participate once they have evaluated the
proposal relative to their
responsibilities. Agencies that would
like to request cooperating agency status
should follow the instructions for filing
comments provided under the Public
Participation section below. Currently,
the U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers; Environmental Protection
Agency; U.S. Department of Commerce;
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration; and the State of Maine
Department of Environmental Protection
have expressed their intention to
participate as a cooperating agency in
the preparation of the EIS to satisfy their
NEPA responsibilities related to this
project.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the M&NE
pipeline expansion for the Calais LNG
Project. By becoming a commentor, your
concerns will be addressed in the EIS
and considered by the Commission.
Your comments should focus on the
potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives (including
alternative facility sites and pipeline
routes), 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
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Washington, DC on or before June 29,
2009.
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
PF08–24–000 with your submission.
The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has dedicated
eFiling expert staff available to assist
you at 202–502–8258 orefiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You may file your comments
electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on
the Commission’s 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 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.’’
(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 Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426.
Label one copy of the comments for
the attention of Gas Branch 1, PJ–11.1.
Reference Docket No. PF08–24–000 on
the original and both copies.
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
planned project. This includes all
landowners who are potential ROW
grantors, whose property may be used
temporarily for project purposes, or who
own homes within certain distances of
aboveground facilities (as defined in the
Commission’s regulations).
If you do not want to send comments
at this time but still want to remain on
our mailing list, please return the
Information Request (appendix 2). If you
do not return the Information Request,
you will be taken off the mailing list.
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Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 105 / Wednesday, June 3, 2009 / Notices
Becoming an Intervenor
Once Calais LNG files an 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 ‘‘eFiling’’
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 for the
project is filed with the Commission.
PWALKER on PROD1PC71 with NOTICES
Additional Information
Additional information about the
project is available from the
Commission’s Office of External Affairs,
at 1–866–208–FERC (3372) or on the
FERC Web site (https://www.ferc.gov)
using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, select ‘‘General Search’’
and enter the docket number excluding
the last three digits (i.e., PF08–24) in the
‘‘Docket Number’’ field. Be sure you
have selected an appropriate date range.
For assistance with eLibrary, the
eLibrary helpline can be reached at 1–
866–208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or
by e-mail at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The
eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of formal documents issued by the
Commission, such as orders, notices,
and rule makings.
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.
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, Calais LNG has established a
Web site for this project at https://
www.calaislng.com. The Web site
includes a project overview, status,
potential impacts and mitigation, and
answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also request additional
information by calling Calais LNG
directly at 207–214–7074 or visiting the
VerDate Nov<24>2008
16:08 Jun 02, 2009
Jkt 217001
Calais LNG office at 421 Main Street,
Calais, Maine.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9–12869 Filed 6–2–09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Bonneville Power Administration;
Big Eddy-Knight Transmission Project
AGENCY: Bonneville Power
Administration (BPA), Department of
Energy (DOE).
ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)
and notice of floodplain and wetlands
involvement.
SUMMARY: BPA intends to prepare an EIS
in accordance with the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) on
the construction, operation, and
maintenance of a proposed 500-kilovolt
(kV) transmission line and substation.
The project would be located in Wasco
County, Oregon and Klickitat County,
Washington. The new BPA transmission
line would extend generally northeast
from BPA’s existing 500-kV Big Eddy
Substation in The Dalles, Oregon, to a
new BPA 500-kV substation proposed to
be connected to BPA’s existing
Wautoma-Ostrander 500-kV
transmission line approximately 4 miles
northwest of Goldendale, Washington.
The proposed BPA substation would be
called Knight Substation. BPA is
considering three routing alternatives
for the proposed transmission line;
portions of all three routes parallel
existing BPA lines in the area. The
lengths of the routing alternatives range
from about 26 to 28 miles. The proposed
Big Eddy-Knight transmission line is
needed to increase transmission
capacity to respond to requests for
transmission service in this area.
With this Notice of Intent, BPA is
initiating the public scoping process for
the EIS. BPA is requesting comments
about potential environmental impacts
that it should consider as it prepares the
EIS for the proposed project, as well as
comments on the proposed routes for
the transmission line, and suggestions
about other route options that may meet
the technical requirements of the
transmission system.
In accordance with DOE regulations
for compliance with floodplain and
wetlands environmental review
requirements, BPA will prepare a
floodplain and wetlands assessment to
avoid or minimize potential harm to or
within any affected floodplains and
PO 00000
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26679
wetlands. The assessment will be
included in the EIS.
DATES: Written scoping comments are
due to the address below no later than
July 21, 2009. Comments may also be
made at the EIS scoping meetings to be
held on June 30, 2009 and July 1, 2009
at the addresses below.
ADDRESSES: Send letters with comments
and suggestions on the proposed scope
of the Draft EIS, and requests to be
placed on the project mailing list, to
Bonneville Power Administration,
Public Affairs Office—DKE–7, P.O. Box
14428, Portland, OR, 97293–4428, or by
fax to (503) 230–3285. You also may call
BPA’s toll free comment line at (800)
622–4519 and leave a message (please
include the name of this project), or
submit comments online at https://
www.bpa.gov/comment. BPA will post
all comment letters in their entirety on
BPA’s Web site at https://www.bpa.gov/
comment.
On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, an openhouse style scoping meeting will be
held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Shilo
Inn Suites Hotel in The Dalles, Oregon.
On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, a scoping
meeting will be held from 4 p.m. to 7
p.m. at the Goldendale High School in
Goldendale, Washington. At these
informal meetings, we will provide
maps and other information about the
project and have members of the project
team available to answer questions and
accept oral and written comments. You
may stop by anytime during the open
house.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Stacy Mason, Environmental
Coordinator, Bonneville Power
Administration—KEC–4, P.O. Box 3621,
Portland, Oregon 97208–3621; toll-free
telephone 1–800–282–3713; direct
telephone 503–230–5455; or e-mail
slmason@bpa.gov. You may also contact
Steve Prickett, Project Manager,
Bonneville Power Administration—
TNP–3, P.O. Box 3621, Portland,
Oregon, 97208–3621; toll-free telephone
1–800–282–3713; direct telephone 360–
619–6379; or e-mail slprickett@bpa.gov.
Additional information can be found at
BPA’s Web site: https://
www.efw.bpa.gov/
environmental_services/nepadocs.aspx,
click on ‘‘Project Reviews—Active,’’
then use the drop-down box and click
on Big Eddy-Knight Transmission
Project.
In 2008,
BPA conducted a Network Open Season
(NOS) process to help manage its list of
requests for long-term transmission
service. During the NOS process,
utilities and power generators
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
E:\FR\FM\03JNN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26677-26679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12869]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF08-24-000]
Calais LNG Project Company, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Calais LNG Project
and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues Related to the
Potential Expansion of the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline System
May 27, 2009.
As previously noticed on November 20, 2008, and supplemented
herein, the staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss environmental impacts that could result from construction
and operation of the Calais Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project planned
by the Calais LNG Project Company, LLC (Calais LNG). The EIS will be
used by the Commission in its decision making process to determine
whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
The planned Calais LNG Project would consist of an onshore LNG
import and storage terminal located just north of Ford Point on the St.
Croix River, about 6 miles southeast of the Town of Calais in
Washington County, Maine; and about 20 miles of natural gas sendout
pipeline between the LNG terminal and an interconnection with the
existing Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline L.L.C.'s (M&NE) pipeline system
near the Town of Baileyville, Maine. The M&NE system currently does not
have sufficient capacity to transport the natural gas that would be
supplied by the LNG terminal. Therefore, if the Calais LNG Project is
authorized and placed into service, the M&NE system would require
expansion in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
This Supplemental Notice of Intent (NOI) discloses the potential
facilities that are anticipated to expand M&NE's system, based on
information provided to Calais LNG by M&NE. Although M&NE is not
proposing to construct these facilities and does not have an
application before the FERC, these expanded M&NE facilities are likely
a necessary part of the project. An analysis of the impacts of these
facilities will be included in the EIS being prepared for the Calais
LNG facility. This Supplemental NOI is being issued to notify the
public about the anticipated M&NE system expansion and to request
comments regarding the possible environmental impact of those
facilities. Your input will help determine what issues need to be
evaluated in the EIS regarding the M&NE system expansion. Please note
that the scoping period for this supplemental NOI will close on June
29, 2009.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project, which includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and 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.
Summary of the Anticipated M&NE Expansion
The following facilities have been identified by M&NE as necessary
to accommodate the gas volumes to be delivered by Calais LNG. A summary
of the Calais LNG Project was included in the NOI issued on November
20, 2008, and the scoping period closed on December 22, 2008. This NOI
may also be accessed via the FERC eLibrary. Instructions about using
eLibrary are included in the Additional Information section on page 7.
Pipeline Looping
Approximately 233.4 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline looping \1\
is anticipated in or adjacent to the existing M&NE right-of-way (ROW)
or other nearby utility or road ROWs, as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe that is installed
adjacent to or in the vicinity of an existing pipeline and connected
to the existing pipeline at both ends. A loop increases the volume
of gas that can be transported through that portion of the system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eliot Loop--21.1 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 30-inch-diameter Joint Mainline (milepost [MP]
31.1 in Rockingham County, New Hampshire to MP 51.2 in York County,
Maine);
Westbrook Loop--41.1 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 30-inch-diameter Joint Mainline (MP 60.3 to MP
101.4 in Cumberland County, Maine);
Richmond Loop--35.4 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 107.9
in Cumberland County, Maine to MP 143.4 in Sagadahoc County, Maine);
Searsmont Loop--35.5 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 152.0
in Kennebec County, Maine to MP 185.5 in Waldo County, Maine);
Brewer Loop--34.2 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 191.6
in Waldo County, Maine to MP 225.8 in Penobscot County, Maine);
WC Ridge Loop--35.2 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 230.8
in Penobscot County, Maine to MP 266.0 in Hancock County, Maine); and
Baileyville Loop--30.9 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 271.3
in Washington County, Maine to MP 302.2 in Washington County, Maine).
Nearly all 233.4 miles of the required looping are in or adjacent
to the existing Joint Mainline or Phase II Mainline ROW or other
utility or road ROWs. M&NE's primary goal would be to align, as much as
possible, the new looping parallel to the existing Phase II Mainline
and Joint Mainline with a 25-foot offset. The side that the loops would
be located on would vary due to residential impacts, screening, land
use, environmental or construction issues where known to exist.
Compressor Station Facilities \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Construction of the Westbrook, Searsmont, Brewer and
Woodchopping Ridge Compressor Stations was recently completed as
part of Maritimes' Phase IV Project, as described in Docket No.
CP06-335-000. These compressor stations were placed into service in
January 2009.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
A new meter station would be required at the tie-in of the Calais
LNG sendout pipeline with the M&NE's system in Baileyville, Maine.
Modifications to the existing meter station in Dracut, Massachusetts
would be necessary, as well as uprating the maximum allowable operating
pressure of the existing Joint Pipeline Facilities from Westbrook,
Maine to Dracut, Massachusetts from 1,440 to 1,600 pounds per square
inch gauge. Compression requirements for the pipeline expansion would
likely include adding a total of 63,000 horsepower of compression to
six existing compressor stations. These compressor stations include the
Eliot Compressor Station (MP 51.2), Westbrook Compressor Station (MP
101.4), Richmond Compressor Station (MP 147.3), Searsmont Compressor
[[Page 26678]]
Station (MP 185.5), Brewer Compressor Station (MP 225.8), and WC Ridge
Compressor Station (MP 266.1). M&NE would install one new Taurus 70
natural gas-driven turbine compressor at each of these stations.
Restaging and repiping the existing compressor unit and installation of
gas cooling would also be required at each station.
A map depicting the expansion of the M&NE facilities downstream of
the interconnection with Calais LNG is included in appendix 1.\3\
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\3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register, but were sent to all those
receiving this notice in the mail. 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 end of this notice.
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The EIS Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us
\4\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about
proposals. This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of
the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EIS on the
important environmental issues. By this Supplemental NOI, the
Commission staff requests public comments on the scope of the issues to
address in the EIS. All comments received will be considered during the
preparation of the EIS.
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\4\ ``We'', ``us'', and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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In the EIS, we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the planned project under these
general headings:
Geology and soils;
Land use;
Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
Cultural resources;
Vegetation and wildlife;
Air quality and noise;
Endangered and threatened species;
Hazardous waste; and
Public safety.
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned project
or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen
or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
Although no formal application has been filed, we have already
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's Pre-filing Process.
The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage early involvement
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an
application is filed with the FERC. As part of our Pre-filing review,
we have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss
their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the
EIS.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EIS. The
draft EIS will be mailed to those on our environmental mailing list
(see discussion of how to remain on our mailing list on page 6). A 45-
day comment period will be allotted for review of the draft EIS. We
will consider all timely comments and revise the document, as
necessary, before issuing a final EIS. To ensure your comments are
considered, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public
Participation section below.
With this Supplemental NOI, we are asking agencies with
jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental
issues to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS.
These agencies may choose to participate once they have evaluated the
proposal relative to their responsibilities. Agencies that would like
to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for
filing comments provided under the Public Participation section below.
Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of Commerce; National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and the State of Maine
Department of Environmental Protection have expressed their intention
to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS to
satisfy their NEPA responsibilities related to this project.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the M&NE pipeline expansion for the Calais
LNG Project. By becoming a commentor, your concerns will be addressed
in the EIS and considered by the Commission. Your comments should focus
on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives
(including alternative facility sites and pipeline routes), 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 June 29,
2009.
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 PF08-24-000 with your submission.
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258
orefiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's 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 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.''
(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 Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 1,
PJ-11.1. Reference Docket No. PF08-24-000 on the original and both
copies.
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 planned project. This includes all landowners who are
potential ROW grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for
project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of
aboveground facilities (as defined in the Commission's regulations).
If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to
remain on our mailing list, please return the Information Request
(appendix 2). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be
taken off the mailing list.
[[Page 26679]]
Becoming an Intervenor
Once Calais LNG files an 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 ``eFiling'' 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 for the project is filed with
the Commission.
Additional Information
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC (3372) or on
the FERC Web site (https://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click
on the eLibrary link, select ``General Search'' and enter the docket
number excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF08-24) in the ``Docket
Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range.
For assistance with eLibrary, the eLibrary helpline can be reached at
1-866-208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or by e-mail at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link also provides access to
the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rule makings.
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.
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, Calais LNG has established a Web site for this project at
https://www.calaislng.com. The Web site includes a project overview,
status, potential impacts and mitigation, and answers to frequently
asked questions. You can also request additional information by calling
Calais LNG directly at 207-214-7074 or visiting the Calais LNG office
at 421 Main Street, Calais, Maine.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-12869 Filed 6-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P