Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for Public Comment for the Longhorn Pipeline Reversal Project, 45417 [2012-18524]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 147 / Tuesday, July 31, 2012 / Notices
Issued On: July 25, 2012.
Edward Carranza, Jr.,
Deputy Regional Administrator, Region 9.
[FR Doc. 2012–18636 Filed 7–30–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[Docket ID PHMSA–2012–0175]
Notice of Availability of Draft
Environmental Assessment for Public
Comment for the Longhorn Pipeline
Reversal Project
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft
Environmental Assessment for Public
Comment for the Longhorn Pipeline
Reversal Project.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321–4347, and the
Council on Environmental Quality
NEPA implementing regulations,
40 CFR Parts 1500–1508, the Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) is announcing
the availability of and requesting
comments on the Draft Environmental
Assessment (Draft EA) for the Longhorn
Pipeline Reversal Project (Proposed
Project).
SUMMARY:
Submit any comments regarding
the Draft EA no later than September 14,
2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference
the docket number PHMSA–2012–0175
at the beginning of the comment.
Comments are posted without changes
or edits to https://www.regulations.gov,
including any personal information
provided. There is a privacy statement
published on https://
www.regulations.gov. Comments may be
submitted in the following ways:
E-Gov Web Site: https://
www.regulations.gov. This site allows
the public to enter comments on any
Federal Register notice issued by any
agency.
Mail: Docket Management System:
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M–30, West
Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590. If you submit
your comments by mail, please submit
two copies. To receive confirmation that
PHMSA has received your comments,
please include a self-addressed stamped
postcard.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
DATES:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:48 Jul 30, 2012
Jkt 226001
Hand Delivery: Docket Management
System: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M–
30, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12–140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE,
Washington, DC 20590 between 9:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
Fax: Docket Management System:
U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, 202–493–2251.
PHMSA has posted the Draft EA at
https://www.regulations.gov in docket
number PHMSA–2012–0175.
The Draft EA is also available for
inspection at the following public
libraries:
• Austin Public Library—Twin Oaks
Branch, 1800 South 5th Street, Austin,
TX 78704, 512–974–9980.
• Collier Regional Library, 6200
Pinemont Drive, Houston, TX, 77092,
832–393–1740.
• Abilene Public Library–South
Branch, 1401 South Danville Drive,
Abilene, TX 79605, 325–698–7565.
• El Paso Main Library, 501 North
Oregon Street, El Paso, TX, 79901, 915–
543–5433.
• Ector County Public Library, 321
West 5th Street, Odessa, TX, 79761,
432–332–0633.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amelia Samaras, Attorney, Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, Office of the Chief
Counsel, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE.,
Washington, DC 20590; by phone at
202–366–4362; or email at
amelia.samaras@dot.gov.
The
Longhorn Pipeline runs from El Paso,
Texas to Houston, Texas and is owned
and operated by Magellan Pipeline
Company, L.P. (Magellan). The
Longhorn Pipeline currently transports
refined petroleum products from east to
west (Houston to El Paso). The Proposed
Project would convert the segment of
the Longhorn Pipeline from Crane,
Texas to East Houston, Texas to crude
oil service and reverse the flow so that
crude oil would flow from west to east
(Crane to Houston). At Crane, refined
products would enter the pipeline and
move west to El Paso. The refined
products would enter the Longhorn
Pipeline via an existing pipeline
segment that connects the Longhorn
Pipeline to the existing Orion West
Pipeline located to the north of the
Longhorn Pipeline. The Orion West
Pipeline runs from Frost, Texas to El
Paso and is also owned and operated by
Magellan.
PHMSA is responsible for regulating
the transportation of hazardous liquids
via pipeline. PHMSA issues and
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
PO 00000
Frm 00090
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
45417
enforces pipeline safety regulations that
dictate requirements for construction,
design, testing, operation, and
maintenance of natural gas and
hazardous liquid (including crude oil,
petroleum products, and anhydrous
ammonia) pipelines. PHMSA does not
typically serve as lead agency for
pipeline construction projects, as it has
no authority over pipeline siting and
does not issue any approval or
authorization to commence a pipeline
construction project. However, a
settlement agreement specific to this
action titled: ‘‘The Longhorn Mitigation
Plan’’ (LMP) resulted from litigation
associated with changes to the Longhorn
Pipeline in 1999. The LMP provides
PHMSA with broader responsibility and
oversight of the Longhorn Pipeline.
The Proposed Project would require
upgrades to the pipeline and would
include construction of a six-mile
pipeline segment in El Paso and a
2.5-mile pipeline segment in Houston.
Modifications and upgrades to existing
infrastructure to facilitate reversal and
increased capacity, such as new pump
stations and terminals, would occur at
various locations along the Longhorn
and Orion Pipelines’ right-of-ways.
Although not originally included in the
LMP, activities along the Orion West
Pipeline and the segment from Odessa
to Crane that would take place as a
result of the Proposed Project are
analyzed in this Draft EA as connected
actions.
This Draft EA analyzes the changes
that would take place as a result of the
Proposed Project and how the changes
could impact the human environment
during construction, normal operations,
and in the unlikely event of a release.
PHMSA has also analyzed the condition
of the Longhorn Pipeline and how the
change in product and direction would
affect the pipeline.
Linda Daugherty,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy
and Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012–18524 Filed 7–30–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–60–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration
[Docket No. PHMSA–2012–0176]
Pipeline Safety: Inspection and
Protection of Pipeline Facilities After
Railway Accidents
Pipeline and Hazardous
Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA); DOT.
AGENCY:
E:\FR\FM\31JYN1.SGM
31JYN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 45417]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18524]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
[Docket ID PHMSA-2012-0175]
Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for
Public Comment for the Longhorn Pipeline Reversal Project
AGENCY: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA),
DOT.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Draft Environmental Assessment for
Public Comment for the Longhorn Pipeline Reversal Project.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321-4347, and the Council on Environmental Quality
NEPA implementing regulations, 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is announcing the
availability of and requesting comments on the Draft Environmental
Assessment (Draft EA) for the Longhorn Pipeline Reversal Project
(Proposed Project).
DATES: Submit any comments regarding the Draft EA no later than
September 14, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments should reference the docket number PHMSA-2012-0175
at the beginning of the comment. Comments are posted without changes or
edits to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information
provided. There is a privacy statement published on https://www.regulations.gov. Comments may be submitted in the following ways:
E-Gov Web Site: https://www.regulations.gov. This site allows the
public to enter comments on any Federal Register notice issued by any
agency.
Mail: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. If you submit your
comments by mail, please submit two copies. To receive confirmation
that PHMSA has received your comments, please include a self-addressed
stamped postcard.
Hand Delivery: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of
Transportation, Docket Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor,
Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590 between
9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
Fax: Docket Management System: U.S. Department of Transportation,
Docket Operations, 202-493-2251.
PHMSA has posted the Draft EA at https://www.regulations.gov in
docket number PHMSA-2012-0175.
The Draft EA is also available for inspection at the following
public libraries:
Austin Public Library--Twin Oaks Branch, 1800 South 5th
Street, Austin, TX 78704, 512-974-9980.
Collier Regional Library, 6200 Pinemont Drive, Houston,
TX, 77092, 832-393-1740.
Abilene Public Library-South Branch, 1401 South Danville
Drive, Abilene, TX 79605, 325-698-7565.
El Paso Main Library, 501 North Oregon Street, El Paso,
TX, 79901, 915-543-5433.
Ector County Public Library, 321 West 5th Street, Odessa,
TX, 79761, 432-332-0633.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amelia Samaras, Attorney, Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, Office of the Chief Counsel,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590; by phone at 202-366-
4362; or email at amelia.samaras@dot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Longhorn Pipeline runs from El Paso,
Texas to Houston, Texas and is owned and operated by Magellan Pipeline
Company, L.P. (Magellan). The Longhorn Pipeline currently transports
refined petroleum products from east to west (Houston to El Paso). The
Proposed Project would convert the segment of the Longhorn Pipeline
from Crane, Texas to East Houston, Texas to crude oil service and
reverse the flow so that crude oil would flow from west to east (Crane
to Houston). At Crane, refined products would enter the pipeline and
move west to El Paso. The refined products would enter the Longhorn
Pipeline via an existing pipeline segment that connects the Longhorn
Pipeline to the existing Orion West Pipeline located to the north of
the Longhorn Pipeline. The Orion West Pipeline runs from Frost, Texas
to El Paso and is also owned and operated by Magellan.
PHMSA is responsible for regulating the transportation of hazardous
liquids via pipeline. PHMSA issues and enforces pipeline safety
regulations that dictate requirements for construction, design,
testing, operation, and maintenance of natural gas and hazardous liquid
(including crude oil, petroleum products, and anhydrous ammonia)
pipelines. PHMSA does not typically serve as lead agency for pipeline
construction projects, as it has no authority over pipeline siting and
does not issue any approval or authorization to commence a pipeline
construction project. However, a settlement agreement specific to this
action titled: ``The Longhorn Mitigation Plan'' (LMP) resulted from
litigation associated with changes to the Longhorn Pipeline in 1999.
The LMP provides PHMSA with broader responsibility and oversight of the
Longhorn Pipeline.
The Proposed Project would require upgrades to the pipeline and
would include construction of a six-mile pipeline segment in El Paso
and a 2.5-mile pipeline segment in Houston. Modifications and upgrades
to existing infrastructure to facilitate reversal and increased
capacity, such as new pump stations and terminals, would occur at
various locations along the Longhorn and Orion Pipelines' right-of-
ways. Although not originally included in the LMP, activities along the
Orion West Pipeline and the segment from Odessa to Crane that would
take place as a result of the Proposed Project are analyzed in this
Draft EA as connected actions.
This Draft EA analyzes the changes that would take place as a
result of the Proposed Project and how the changes could impact the
human environment during construction, normal operations, and in the
unlikely event of a release. PHMSA has also analyzed the condition of
the Longhorn Pipeline and how the change in product and direction would
affect the pipeline.
Linda Daugherty,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Policy and Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012-18524 Filed 7-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-60-P