Rockies Express Pipeline LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Rex Zone 3 Capacity Enhancement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 26024-26026 [2015-10558]

Download as PDF 26024 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Notices so indicate by writing to the Secretary of the Commission. n. Comments and Protests—Anyone may submit comments or protests in accordance with the requirements of Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.210 and 385.211. In determining the appropriate action to take, the Commission will consider all protests filed. Any protests must be received on or before the specified deadline date for the particular proceeding. o. Filing and Service of Responsive Documents—Any filing must (1) bear in all capital letters the title ‘‘COMMENTS or ‘‘PROTEST,’’ as applicable; (2) set forth in the heading the project number of the proceeding to which the filing responds; (3) furnish the name, address, and telephone number of the person commenting or protesting; and (4) otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001 through 385.2005. All comments or protests must set forth their evidentiary basis and otherwise comply with the requirements of 18 CFR 4.34(b). All comments or protests should relate to project works which are the subject of the termination of license. A copy of any protest must be served upon each representative of the licensee specified in item g above. A copy of all other filings in reference to this notice must be accompanied by proof of service on all persons listed in the service list prepared by the Commission in this proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR 4.34(b) and 385.2010. p. Agency Comments—Federal, state, and local agencies are invited to file comments on the described proceeding. If any agency does not file comments within the time specified for filing comments, it will be presumed to have no comments. Dated: April 29, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–10566 Filed 5–5–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Commission confirm that certain qualifying cogeneration facilities indirectly owned by or affiliated with the Petitioner are exempt from section 203 of the Federal Power Act under 18 CFR 292.601(c), as more fully explained in the petition. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest this filing must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Protests will be considered by the Commission in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but will not serve to make protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to become a party must file a notice of intervention or motion to intervene, as appropriate. Such notices, motions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Petitioner. The Commission encourages electronic submission of 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 5 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 email notification when a document is added to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Online service, please email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on May 29, 2015. Dated: April 30, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [Docket No. EL15–62–000] [FR Doc. 2015–10570 Filed 5–5–15; 8:45 am] Chevron U.S.A. Inc.; Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Energy Regulatory Commission BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Take notice that on April 29, 2015, pursuant to Rule 207 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.207, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Petitioner) filed a petition for declaratory order requesting that the VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 May 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP15–137–000] Rockies Express Pipeline LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Rex Zone 3 Capacity Enhancement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment that will discuss the environmental impacts of the REX Zone 3 Capacity Enhancement Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Rockies Express LLC (REX) in Decatur County, Indiana and Pickaway, Fayette, Muskingum, and Warrenton Counties, Ohio. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity. This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before May 29, 2015. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on March 31, 2015, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP15–137–000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. This notice is being sent to the Commission’s current environmental mailing list for this project. State and local government officials should notify their constituents of this proposed project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company representative may contact you about 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 Commission approves the project, that approval E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Notices conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings where compensation would be determined in accordance with state law. REX provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’ 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. It is also available for viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Public Participation For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature on the Commission’s Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for submitting brief, text-only comments on a project; (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling feature on the Commission’s Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’ as the filing type; or (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP15–137– 000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Summary of the Proposed Project REX proposes to construct and operate three new compressor stations and ancillary facilities in Ohio and Indiana, and add additional compression to an existing station in Ohio. REX would also add gas cooling facilities and/or power and control room buildings at two existing compressor stations in Ohio. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 May 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 The REX Zone 3 Capacity Enhancement Project would consist of the following facilities: • One new 49,428 horsepower (hp) Columbus Compressor Station in Pickaway County, Ohio; • one new 31,791 hp Washington Court House Compressor Station in Fayette County, Ohio; • one new 37,038 hp St. Paul Compressor Station in Decatur County, Indiana; • an additional 38,400 hp of compression, gas cooling facilities, and a new power and control building at the existing Chandlersville Compressor Station in Muskingum County, Ohio; and • gas cooling facilities and a new power and control building at the existing Hamilton Compressor Station in Warren County, Ohio. According to REX, its project would provide an additional 800 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of east-to-west transportation service, of which 700 MMCFD is contracted to six shippers: American Energy—Utica LLC, EdgeMarc Energy Holdings LLC, EQT Energy LLC, Gulfport Energy Corporation, Jay-Bee Oil & Gas Inc., and Triad Hunter, LLC. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.1 Land Requirements for Construction REX would acquire about 145 acres of land for the new compressor station sites. Construction of the proposed compressor stations would disturb about 70.4 acres of land. Following construction, REX would maintain about 28.5 acres for permanent operation of the project facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. No additional land would be required for modifications at the existing compressor stations and construction activities would occur within the existing fence lines. The EA 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 2 to 1 The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ 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. 2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 26025 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 EA on the important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA. In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these general headings: • Geology and soils; • land use; • water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; • vegetation and wildlife; • cultural resources; • air quality and noise; • endangered and threatened species; • socioeconomics • public safety; and • cumulative impacts We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA will be available in the public record through eLibrary. Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, we may also publish and distribute the EA to the public for an allotted comment period. We will consider all comments on the EA before making our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2. With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law and/ or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA.3 Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this notice. Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s 3 The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1501.6. E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1 26026 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 87 / Wednesday, May 6, 2015 / Notices implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project’s potential effects on historic properties.4 We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs as the project develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list 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. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission’s regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the project. We will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. If we publish and distribute the EA, copies will be sent to the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached Information Request (appendix 2). Becoming an Intervenor In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want to become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an 4 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:43 May 05, 2015 Jkt 235001 official party to the Commission’s 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 the proceeding by filing a request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the User’s Guide under the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s Web site. Additional Information Additional information about the project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web site at 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 (i.e., CP15–137). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (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 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 www.ferc.gov/docsfiling/esubscription.asp. Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at www.ferc.gov/ EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information. Dated: April 29, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–10558 Filed 5–5–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: Docket Numbers: ER10–1908–010; ER10–1909–010; ER10–1910–010; ER10–1911–010. PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Applicants: Duquesne Conemaugh, LLC, Duquesne Keystone, LLC, Duquesne Light Company, Duquesne Power, LLC. Description: Notice of Change in Status of the Duquesne MBR Sellers. Filed Date: 4/28/15. Accession Number: 20150428–5563. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/19/15. Docket Numbers: ER13–823–003; ER15–1348–001; ER12–1561–002. Applicants: Roseton Generating LLC, Castleton Commodities Merchant Trading L.P., CCI Rensselaer LLC. Description: Supplement to March 20, 2015 Triennial Market Power Analysis Update of Castleton Commodities Merchant Trading L.P., et al. for the Northeast Region. Filed Date: 4/28/15. Accession Number: 20150428–5560. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/19/15. Docket Numbers: ER14–279–001. Applicants: Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc., Interstate Power and Light Company. Description: Compliance filing per 35: 2015–04–29_Guttenberg WDS Compliance Filing to be effective 1/1/ 2014. Filed Date: 4/29/15. Accession Number: 20150429–5417. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/20/15. Docket Numbers: ER14–325–005; ER11–4500–008; ER12–128–006; ER14– 2858–003. Applicants: Enel Cove Fort, LLC, Enel Stillwater, LLC, EGP Stillwater Solar, LLC, Origin Wind Energy, LLC. Description: Notice of Non-Material Change in Status of Enel Cove Fort, LLC, et. al. Filed Date: 4/28/15. Accession Number: 20150428–5566. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/19/15. Docket Numbers: ER14–480–000; ER15–1451–000. Applicants: California Independent System Operator Corporation. Description: Informational Filing on Market Data Required 120 Days in Advance of Reinstating Convergence Bidding at the Interties of the California Independent System Operator Corporation. Filed Date: 12/31/14. Accession Number: 20141231–5317. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 5/20/15. Docket Numbers: ER14–480–000; ER15–1451–000. Applicants: California Independent System Operator Corporation. Description: Supplement to December 31, 2014 Informational Filing on Market Data Required 120 Days in Advance of Reinstating Convergence Bidding at the Interties of the California Independent System Operator Corporation. E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 6, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26024-26026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10558]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP15-137-000]


Rockies Express Pipeline LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Rex Zone 3 Capacity 
Enhancement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment that will discuss 
the environmental impacts of the REX Zone 3 Capacity Enhancement 
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Rockies 
Express LLC (REX) in Decatur County, Indiana and Pickaway, Fayette, 
Muskingum, and Warrenton Counties, Ohio. The Commission will use this 
EA in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is 
in the public convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies on the project. You can make a difference by providing us with 
your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments 
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable 
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. 
Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they 
need to evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely and 
properly recorded, please send your comments so that the Commission 
receives them in Washington, DC on or before May 29, 2015.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on March 31, 2015, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. CP15-137-000 to ensure they are considered as 
part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for this project. State and local government officials 
should notify their constituents of this proposed project and encourage 
them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about 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 Commission approves the project, that approval

[[Page 26025]]

conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement 
negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could 
initiate condemnation proceedings where compensation would be 
determined in accordance with state law.
    REX provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC 
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I 
Need To Know?'' 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. It is also available for viewing on 
the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov).

Public Participation

    For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at 
(202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow these 
instructions so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to 
Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for submitting brief, 
text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to 
Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a 
variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission. 
New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on 
``eRegister.'' If you are filing a comment on a particular project, 
please select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number 
(CP15-137-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, 
Washington, DC 20426.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    REX proposes to construct and operate three new compressor stations 
and ancillary facilities in Ohio and Indiana, and add additional 
compression to an existing station in Ohio. REX would also add gas 
cooling facilities and/or power and control room buildings at two 
existing compressor stations in Ohio.
    The REX Zone 3 Capacity Enhancement Project would consist of the 
following facilities:
     One new 49,428 horsepower (hp) Columbus Compressor Station 
in Pickaway County, Ohio;
     one new 31,791 hp Washington Court House Compressor 
Station in Fayette County, Ohio;
     one new 37,038 hp St. Paul Compressor Station in Decatur 
County, Indiana;
     an additional 38,400 hp of compression, gas cooling 
facilities, and a new power and control building at the existing 
Chandlersville Compressor Station in Muskingum County, Ohio; and
     gas cooling facilities and a new power and control 
building at the existing Hamilton Compressor Station in Warren County, 
Ohio.
    According to REX, its project would provide an additional 800 
million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of east-to-west transportation 
service, of which 700 MMCFD is contracted to six shippers: American 
Energy--Utica LLC, EdgeMarc Energy Holdings LLC, EQT Energy LLC, 
Gulfport Energy Corporation, Jay-Bee Oil & Gas Inc., and Triad Hunter, 
LLC.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those 
receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov 
using the link called ``eLibrary'' 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    REX would acquire about 145 acres of land for the new compressor 
station sites. Construction of the proposed compressor stations would 
disturb about 70.4 acres of land. Following construction, REX would 
maintain about 28.5 acres for permanent operation of the project 
facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to 
former uses. No additional land would be required for modifications at 
the existing compressor stations and construction activities would 
occur within the existing fence lines.

The EA 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 
\2\ 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 EA on the important 
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public 
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We will 
consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the proposed project under these 
general headings:
     Geology and soils;
     land use;
     water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     cultural resources;
     air quality and noise;
     endangered and threatened species;
     socioeconomics
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts
    We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed 
project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to 
lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA 
will be available in the public record through eLibrary. Depending on 
the comments received during the scoping process, we may also publish 
and distribute the EA to the public for an allotted comment period. We 
will consider all comments on the EA before making our recommendations 
to the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and 
address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the 
Public Participation section, beginning on page 2.
    With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law 
and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of 
this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the 
EA.\3\ Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status 
should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the 
Public Participation section of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's

[[Page 26026]]

implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation 
with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), and to 
solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested 
Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential effects on 
historic properties.\4\ We will define the project-specific Area of 
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs as the project 
develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum 
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include 
construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor 
stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our 
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status 
of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those 
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list 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. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits 
comments on the project. We will update the environmental mailing list 
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related 
to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and 
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the 
proposed project. If we publish and distribute the EA, copies will be 
sent to the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. 
If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of 
the CD version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, 
please return the attached Information Request (appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the 
Commission's 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 the proceeding by filing a 
request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in 
the User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web 
site.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC Web site at 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 (i.e., CP15-
137). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (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 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 www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the 
Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

    Dated: April 29, 2015.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-10558 Filed 5-5-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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