Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Orion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 76464-76466 [2015-30960]

Download as PDF 76464 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / Notices Filed Date: 12/2/15. Accession Number: 20151202–5243. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/23/15. The filings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the links or querying the docket number. Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding. eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Dated: December 3, 2015. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–30958 Filed 12–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER16–454–000] Dated: December 3, 2015. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Seward Generation, LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204 Authorization [FR Doc. 2015–30961 Filed 12–8–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding Seward Generation, LLC’s application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate tariff, noting that such application includes a request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest should file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Anyone filing a motion to intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests with regard to the applicant’s request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Dec 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 assumptions of liability, is December 23, 2015. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at https:// www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with Internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 5 copies of the intervention or protest to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. The filings in the above-referenced proceeding are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the appropriate link in the above list. They are also available for electronic 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. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP16–4–000] Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Orion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues 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 Orion Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (TGP) in Wayne and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity. This supplemental notice announces the extension of the scoping period and describes the process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. The extension is to allow all recipients adequate time to submit comments 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 January 4, 2016. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on October 9, 2015, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP16–4–000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. This supplemental notice is being sent to the Commission’s current environmental mailing list for this project. State and local government representatives 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 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. TGP 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). E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / 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 No. (CP16–4–000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Summary of the Proposed Project TGP proposes to construct and operate pipeline facilities, to modify existing aboveground facilities, and add new tie-in facilities in Wayne and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania. The Orion Project would provide about 135,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas. According to TGP, its project would meet market needs of the Middle Atlantic and New England regions of the United States, and to a lesser extent Canada. The Orion Project would consist of the following facilities: • Approximately 12.9 miles of new 36-inch-diameter looping 1 pipeline in Wayne and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania; • a new internal pipeline inspection (‘‘pig’’) launcher, crossover, and connecting facilities at the beginning of the proposed pipeline loop in Wayne County, Pennsylvania; • a new ‘‘pig’’ receiver, crossover, and connecting facilities at the end of the 1 A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to an existing pipeline to increase capacity. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Dec 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 proposed pipeline loop in Pike County, Pennsylvania; • modifications at the existing Compressor Station 323, including rewheeling/restaging of an existing compressor and other piping and appurtenant modifications. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.2 Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 248 acres of land for the pipeline and aboveground facilities, 62 acres of which are associated with existing permanent TGP rights-of-way. Following construction, TGP would maintain about 79 acres for permanent operation of the project’s facilities, 34 acres of which are associated with existing permanent TGP rights-of-way; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. The majority of the proposed pipeline route parallels TGP’s existing 300 Line rights-of-way. The majority of the aboveground facilities would be constructed within existing facility boundaries or existing permanent easement; however, an additional 0.1 acre of new operational right-of-way would be needed for the proposed aboveground facilities. 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 3 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. 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: 2 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 page 6 of this notice. 3 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects. PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 76465 • Geology and soils; • land use; • water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; • cultural resources; • vegetation and wildlife; • air quality and noise; • endangered and threatened species; • 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. We will 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.4 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 implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (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.5 We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum 4 The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1501.6. 5 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. E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1 76466 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 236 / Wednesday, December 9, 2015 / Notices 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. 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. Copies of the EA 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). mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:21 Dec 08, 2015 Jkt 238001 enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP16–4). 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. Energy Marketing, LLC, Talen Montana, LLC, Brandon Shores LLC, H.A. Wagner LLC, Raven Power Marketing LLC, Bayonne Plant Holding, L.L.C., Camden Plant Holding, L.L.C., Dartmouth Power Associates Limited Partnership, Newark Bay Cogeneration Partnership, L.P., Pedricktown Cogeneration Company LP, Sapphire Power Marketing LLC, York Generation Company LLC, C.P. Crane LLC, Elmwood Park Power, LLC, New Harquahala Generating Company, LLC, Millennium Power Partners, L.P., New Athens Generating Company, LLC, Hatchet Ridge Wind, LLC, Spring Valley Wind LLC, Ocotillo Express LLC, Lyonsdale Biomass, LLC, ReEnergy Sterling CT Limited Partnership, ReEnergy Ashland LLC, ReEnergy Fort Fairfield LLC, ReEnergy Livermore Falls LLC, ReEnergy Stratton LLC, ReEnergy Black River LLC, TrailStone Power, LLC, Fowler Ridge IV Wind Farm LLC, Lost Creek Wind, LLC, Post Rock Wind Power Project, LLC. Description: Notice of Change in Status of the Talen Sellers and Riverstone MBR Entities. Dated: December 3, 2015. Filed Date: 12/2/15. Accession Numbers: 20151202–5247, Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., 20151203–5195. Deputy Secretary. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/23/15. [FR Doc. 2015–30960 Filed 12–8–15; 8:45 am] Docket Numbers: ER12–2065–003; BILLING CODE 6717–01–P ER14–2472–003; ER15–1721–002. Applicants: Agera Energy LLC, Agera Energy LLC, energy.me midwest llc. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Description: Notice of Non-Material Federal Energy Regulatory Change in Status of Agera Energy LLC, Commission et. al. Filed Date: 12/3/15. Combined Notice of Filings #2 Accession Number: 20151203–5145. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/24/15. Take notice that the Commission Docket Numbers: ER15–1925–002. received the following electric rate Applicants: Breckinridge Wind filings: Project, LLC. Docket Numbers: ER10–1959–005; Description: Breckinridge Wind ER15–2014–002; ER15–2015–002; Project, LLC Notice of Non-material ER15–2018–002; ER15–2026–002; Change in Status. ER15–2016–002; ER15–2013–002; Filed Date: 12/3/15. ER15–2020–002; ER12–2510–006; Accession Number: 20151203–5144. ER12–2512–006; ER12–2513–006; Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/24/15. ER10–2432–009; ER10–2435–009; Docket Numbers: ER16–456–000. ER10–2440–009; ER10–2444–009; Applicants: PJM Interconnection, ER10–2446–009; ER13–2308–004; L.L.C., Baltimore Gas and Electric ER10–2499–002; ER12–2511–006; Company, Delmarva Power & Light ER10–2442–009; ER10–3310–010; Company, Atlantic City Electric ER10–3286–010; ER10–3299–009; ER11–2489–007; ER12–726–006; ER12– Company, Potomac Electric Power 2639–005; ER11–3620–009; ER11–2882– Company. Description: Compliance filing: BGE, 010; ER12–1431–007; ER12–1434–007; Delmarva, Pepco & Atlantic City submit ER12–1432–007; ER12–1435–007; compliance filing per 11/3/15 order to ER13–2102–005; ER14–1439–004; be effective 12/3/2015. ER15–1019–003; ER10–2628–004; Filed Date: 12/3/15. ER11–3959–006; ER15–2022–002. Accession Number: 20151203–5133. Applicants: Lower Mount Bethel Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 12/24/15 Energy, LLC, Brunner Island, LLC, Holtwood, LLC, Martins Creek, LLC, Docket Numbers: ER16–457–000. Applicants: California Independent Montour, LLC, Susquehanna Nuclear, System Operator Corporation. LLC, Talen Ironwood, LLC, Talen PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09DEN1.SGM 09DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 236 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76464-76466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-30960]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-4-000]


Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.; Supplemental Notice of 
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Orion 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

    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 Orion Project involving 
construction and operation of facilities by Tennessee Gas Pipeline 
Company, L.L.C. (TGP) in Wayne and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania. The 
Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine 
whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
    This supplemental notice announces the extension of the scoping 
period and describes the process the Commission will use to gather 
input from the public and interested agencies on the project. The 
extension is to allow all recipients adequate time to submit comments 
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 January 4, 2016.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on October 9, 2015, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. CP16-4-000 to ensure they are considered as part 
of this proceeding.
    This supplemental notice is being sent to the Commission's current 
environmental mailing list for this project. State and local government 
representatives 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 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.
    TGP 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).

[[Page 76465]]

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 No. 
(CP16-4-000) 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

    TGP proposes to construct and operate pipeline facilities, to 
modify existing aboveground facilities, and add new tie-in facilities 
in Wayne and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania. The Orion Project would 
provide about 135,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas. According to 
TGP, its project would meet market needs of the Middle Atlantic and New 
England regions of the United States, and to a lesser extent Canada.
    The Orion Project would consist of the following facilities:
     Approximately 12.9 miles of new 36-inch-diameter looping 
\1\ pipeline in Wayne and Pike Counties, Pennsylvania;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to 
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     a new internal pipeline inspection (``pig'') launcher, 
crossover, and connecting facilities at the beginning of the proposed 
pipeline loop in Wayne County, Pennsylvania;
     a new ``pig'' receiver, crossover, and connecting 
facilities at the end of the proposed pipeline loop in Pike County, 
Pennsylvania;
     modifications at the existing Compressor Station 323, 
including rewheeling/restaging of an existing compressor and other 
piping and appurtenant modifications.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 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 
page 6 of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 248 
acres of land for the pipeline and aboveground facilities, 62 acres of 
which are associated with existing permanent TGP rights-of-way. 
Following construction, TGP would maintain about 79 acres for permanent 
operation of the project's facilities, 34 acres of which are associated 
with existing permanent TGP rights-of-way; the remaining acreage would 
be restored and revert to former uses. The majority of the proposed 
pipeline route parallels TGP's existing 300 Line rights-of-way. The 
majority of the aboveground facilities would be constructed within 
existing facility boundaries or existing permanent easement; however, 
an additional 0.1 acre of new operational right-of-way would be needed 
for the proposed aboveground facilities.

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 
\3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ ``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;
     cultural resources;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     air quality and noise;
     endangered and threatened species;
     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. We will 
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.\4\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ 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 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation 
with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (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.\5\ We will define the project-specific Area of 
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project 
develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum

[[Page 76466]]

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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ 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.
    Copies of the EA 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., CP16-
4). 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: December 3, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-30960 Filed 12-8-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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