Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Leach Xpress and Rayne Xpress Expansion Projects, 8196-8197 [2016-03324]

Download as PDF 8196 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 32 / Thursday, February 18, 2016 / Notices Accession Number: 20160211–5191. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 3/3/16. 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. operate the proposed Rayne XPress Expansion Project. The Rayne Express Expansion Project, located in Kentucky, would add new compression and provide about 621,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation on Columbia Gulf’s system. Together, these proposals are referred to in this notice as ‘‘the Projects.’’ On June 22 and August 11, 2015, respectively, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued its Notice of Application for the Leach XPress Project and Rayne XPress Expansion Project. Among other things, these notices alerted other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Projects. This instant notice identifies the FERC staff’s planned schedule for completion of the final EIS for the Projects. [FR Doc. 2016–03321 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am] If a schedule change becomes necessary, an additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the Project’s progress. On October 9, 2014, the Commission staff granted Columbia Gas’s request to use the FERC’s Pre-filing environmental review process and assigned the Leach XPress Project Docket No. PF14–23–000. On January 13, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Leach XPress Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings (NOI). Additionally, on September 4, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Rayne XPress Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues. Both NOIs were sent to federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; affected landowners; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes and regional organizations; commentors and other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. The primary issues raised by the commentors included federally listed bats, forested plant and animal habitat, freshwater mussel habitat, salamander habitat, potential future subsidence of mining land, and effects on public health and safety. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, and the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS. Project Description Dated: February 11, 2016. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. Additional Information Columbia Gas plans to construct approximately 160 miles of new natural gas pipeline in West Virginia (Marshall County), Ohio (Fairfield, Hocking, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Vinton Counties) and Pennsylvania (Greene County), two new compressor stations in Ohio (Noble and Jackson Counties), one new compressor station in West Virginia (Marshall County), and modify two existing compressor stations in West Virginia and Ohio. Columbia Gulf plans to construct and operate 51,800 horsepower of new compression in two new compressor stations located in Carter, Menifee and Montgomery Counties, Kentucky, and modify the existing Means Measurement and Regulation Station in Means and Montgomery County, Kentucky. In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EIS and to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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. Additional information about the Projects is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, select ‘‘General Search’’ from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and ‘‘Docket Number’’ for the project you wish to access excluding the last three digits BILLING CODE 6717–01–P SCHEDULE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Leach Xpress and Rayne Xpress Expansion Projects Docket No. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC. Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC. CP15–514–000 CP15–539–000 On June 8, 2015, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gas) filed an application in Docket No. CP15–514– 000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) and 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, operate, abandon inplace, and maintain certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed Leach XPress Project, located in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, would provide about 1.5 million dekatherms of natural gas per day of firm transportation service to natural gas consumers served by the Columbia Gas pipeline systems. Additionally, on July 29, 2015, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gulf) filed an application in Docket No. CP15–539–000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, own, and VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:03 Feb 17, 2016 Background Jkt 238001 Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS. 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline. PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4703 September 1, 2016. November 30, 2016. Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 32 / Thursday, February 18, 2016 / Notices (i.e., CP15–514, CP15–539), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. Dated: February 10, 2016. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–03324 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Western Area Power Administration Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program— Eastern Division Western Area Power Administration, DOE. ACTION: Notice of transfer of functional control of eligible Western-Upper Great Plains Region transmission facilities to Southwest Power Pool, Inc. on October 1, 2015, and Rate Schedules WAUGP– ATRR, WAUGP–AS1, WAUW–AS3, WAUW–AS4, WAUW–AS5, WAUW– AS6 and WAUW–AS7 made effective on that date. AGENCY: Western Area Power Administration (Western) transferred functional control of eligible WesternUpper Great Plains Region (WesternUGP) transmission facilities to Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) on October 1, 2015. Transmission service is being provided over Western-UGP’s eligible facilities under SPP’s Open Access Transmission Tariff. WesternUGP costs are included in Western-UGP Formula rates for Transmission and Ancillary Services under Rate Schedules WAUGP–ATRR, WAUGP– AS1, WAUW–AS3, WAUW–AS4, WAUW–AS5, WAUW–AS6 and WAUW–AS7, which became effective on October 1, 2015. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Lloyd Linke, Vice President of Operations for Upper Great Plains Region, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power Administration, 1330 41st Street, Watertown, SD, 57201; telephone: (605) 882–7500; email: Lloyd@wapa.gov; or Ms. Linda CadyHoffman, Rates Manager, Upper Great Plains Region, Western Area Power Administration, 2900 4th Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101–1266; telephone: (406) 255–2920; email: cady@wapa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 27, 2015, Western published a Federal mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:03 Feb 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 Register Notice (80 FR 44339) providing a Notice of Final Transmission and Ancillary Services Formula Rates for Western’s Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program-Eastern Division (P–SMBP— ED). Western explained that WesternUGP intended to transfer functional control of Western-UGP’s P–SMBP—ED eligible transmission facilities located in the Upper Missouri Zone (UMZ or Zone 19) to SPP on October 1, 2015. Western announced the final transmission and ancillary services formula rates and the P–SMBP—ED transmission and ancillary services formula rates would go into effect when functional control was transferred to SPP. The purpose of this notice is to announce that Western-UGP successfully transferred functional control of eligible transmission facilities on October 1, 2015, and Rate Schedules WAUGP–ATRR, WAUGP–AS1, WAUW–AS3, WAUW–AS4, WAUW– AS5, WAUW–AS6 and WAUW–AS7 were made effective on that date. Availability of Information Information regarding the public process for Western-UGP’s formula rate adjustment process and annual recalculation is available on Western’s Web site and Western-UGP’s Open Access Same-Time Information System (OASIS) home page, which are located respectively at the following locations: https://www.wapa.gov/regions/UGP/ rates/Pages/rates.aspx https://www.oatioasis.com/wapa/ index.html Dated: February 8, 2016. Mark A. Gabriel, Administrator. [FR Doc. 2016–03362 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY [FRL–9942–51–OECA] National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Request for Nominations to the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). AGENCY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). The NEJAC was chartered to provide advice regarding broad, cross- SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 8197 cutting issues related to environmental justice. This notice solicits nominations to fill approximately six (6) new vacancies for terms through September 2019. To maintain the representation outlined by the charter, nominees will be selected to represent: grassroots community-based organizations (2 vacancies); non-governmental/ environmental organizations (2 vacancies); State government agencies (1 vacancy); and business and industry (1 vacancy). Vacancies are anticipated to be filled by July 2016. Sources in addition to this Federal Register Notice also may be utilized in the solicitation of nominees. DATES: Nominations should be submitted in time to arrive no later than Friday, April 15, 2016. ADDRESSES: Submit nominations electronically with the subject line NEJAC Membership 2016 to martin.karenl.@epa.gov. You also may submit nominations by mail to: Karen L. Martin, NEJAC Project Manager, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., (MC 2201A), Washington, DC 20460. Nonelectronic submissions must follow the same format and contain the same information. The Office of Environmental Justice will acknowledge receipt of nominations. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Matthew Tejada, Designated Federal Officer for the NEJAC, U.S. EPA; telephone (202) 564–8047; fax: (202) 564–1624. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NEJAC is a federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92– 463. EPA established the NEJAC in 1993 to provide independent consensus advice to the EPA Administrator about a broad range of environmental issues related to environmental justice. The NEJAC conducts business in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and related regulations. The Council consists of 28 members (including a Chairperson) appointed by EPA’s Administrator. Members serve as non-federal stakeholders representing: six (6) from academia, two (2) from business and industry; six (6) from community based organizations; seven (7) from non-governmental/ environmental organizations; four (4) from state and local governments; and three (3) from tribal governments and indigenous organizations, of which one member serves as a liaison to the National Tribal Caucus. Members are appointed for three (3)-year terms with E:\FR\FM\18FEN1.SGM 18FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8196-8197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03324]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Leach Xpress 
and Rayne Xpress Expansion Projects

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Docket No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC.........  CP15-514-000
Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC........  CP15-539-000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On June 8, 2015, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gas) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP15-514-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 
7(c) and 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, operate, abandon in-
place, and maintain certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The 
proposed Leach XPress Project, located in West Virginia, Ohio, and 
Pennsylvania, would provide about 1.5 million dekatherms of natural gas 
per day of firm transportation service to natural gas consumers served 
by the Columbia Gas pipeline systems.
    Additionally, on July 29, 2015, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC 
(Columbia Gulf) filed an application in Docket No. CP15-539-000 
requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant 
to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, own, and operate 
the proposed Rayne XPress Expansion Project. The Rayne Express 
Expansion Project, located in Kentucky, would add new compression and 
provide about 621,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation on 
Columbia Gulf's system. Together, these proposals are referred to in 
this notice as ``the Projects.''
    On June 22 and August 11, 2015, respectively, the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued its Notice of 
Application for the Leach XPress Project and Rayne XPress Expansion 
Project. Among other things, these notices alerted other agencies 
issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all 
necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a 
federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the 
Commission staff's final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Projects. This instant notice identifies the FERC staff's planned 
schedule for completion of the final EIS for the Projects.

                    Schedule for Environmental Review
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuance of Notice of Availability    September 1, 2016.
 of the final EIS.
90-day Federal Authorization          November 30, 2016.
 Decision Deadline.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If a schedule change becomes necessary, an additional notice will 
be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    Columbia Gas plans to construct approximately 160 miles of new 
natural gas pipeline in West Virginia (Marshall County), Ohio 
(Fairfield, Hocking, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Vinton 
Counties) and Pennsylvania (Greene County), two new compressor stations 
in Ohio (Noble and Jackson Counties), one new compressor station in 
West Virginia (Marshall County), and modify two existing compressor 
stations in West Virginia and Ohio.
    Columbia Gulf plans to construct and operate 51,800 horsepower of 
new compression in two new compressor stations located in Carter, 
Menifee and Montgomery Counties, Kentucky, and modify the existing 
Means Measurement and Regulation Station in Means and Montgomery 
County, Kentucky.

Background

    On October 9, 2014, the Commission staff granted Columbia Gas's 
request to use the FERC's Pre-filing environmental review process and 
assigned the Leach XPress Project Docket No. PF14-23-000. On January 
13, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Leach XPress Project, 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public 
Scoping Meetings (NOI). Additionally, on September 4, 2015, the 
Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Rayne XPress Expansion Project and Request for 
Comments on Environmental Issues.
    Both NOIs were sent to federal, state, and local government 
agencies; elected officials; affected landowners; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes and regional 
organizations; commentors and other interested parties; and local 
libraries and newspapers. The primary issues raised by the commentors 
included federally listed bats, forested plant and animal habitat, 
freshwater mussel habitat, salamander habitat, potential future 
subsidence of mining land, and effects on public health and safety.
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Environmental 
Protection Agency, the West Virginia Department of Environmental 
Protection, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, and the 
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection are cooperating 
agencies in the preparation of the EIS.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EIS and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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.
    Additional information about the Projects is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the 
FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Using the ``eLibrary'' link, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' for the project you wish to access 
excluding the last three digits

[[Page 8197]]

(i.e., CP15-514, CP15-539), and follow the instructions. For assistance 
with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, 
TTY (202) 502-8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link 
on the FERC Web site also provides access to the texts of formal 
documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule 
makings.

    Dated: February 10, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-03324 Filed 2-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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