Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Atlantic Bridge Project Replacement Project, 27428-27429 [2016-10674]

Download as PDF 27428 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 88 / Friday, May 6, 2016 / Notices Dated: May 2, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–10675 Filed 5–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP16–9–000] asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Atlantic Bridge Project Replacement Project The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the Atlantic Bridge Project proposed by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin) and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC (Maritimes), collectively referred to as the Applicants, in the above-referenced docket. The Applicants request authorization to expand existing pipeline systems to deliver up to 132,705 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation service to the New England and Maritimes provinces of Canada markets. The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the Atlantic Bridge Project in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The FERC staff concludes that approval of the proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a cooperating agency assisting us in the preparation of this EA because they have special expertise with respect to environmental impacts associated with the Applicants’ proposals. The proposed Atlantic Bridge Project includes the following facilities: • 4.0 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline to replace existing 26-inch diameter pipeline in Westchester County, New York; • 2.3 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline to replace existing 26-inch diameter pipeline in Fairfield County, Connecticut; • a new 7,700 horsepower compressor station (Weymouth Compressor Station) in Norfolk County, Massachusetts; VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 May 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 • a new meter and regulating station in New London County, Connecticut; • modifications to three existing compressor stations in Rockland County, New York and Windham and New Haven Counties, Connecticut; • modifications to five existing meter and regulating stations and one regulator station in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine; and • ancillary facilities associated with the new pipeline including mainline valves and pig launcher/receiver facilities. The FERC staff mailed copies of the EA to federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; potentially affected landowners and other interested individuals and groups; and newspapers and libraries in the project area. In addition, the EA is available for public viewing on the FERC’s Web site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. A limited number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–8371. Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that the Commission has the opportunity to consider your comments prior to making its decision on this project, it is important that we receive your comments in Washington, DC on or before June 1, 2016. For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to file your comments with the Commission. In all instances please reference the project docket number (CP16–9–000) with your submission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at 202–502–8258 or efiling@ferc.gov. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature located on the Commission’s Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for submitting brief, textonly comments on a project; (2) You can also file your comments electronically using the eFiling feature on the Commission’s Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to PO 00000 Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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.’’ You must select the type of filing you are making. If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’; or (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address: Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedures (Title 18 Code of Federal Regulations Part 385.214).1 Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission’s decision. The Commission grants affected landowners and others with environmental concerns intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding that no other party can adequately represent. Simply filing environmental comments will not give you intervenor status, but you do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered. 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 (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., CP16–9). 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. 1 See the previous discussion on the methods for filing comments. E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 88 / Friday, May 6, 2016 / Notices Dated: May 2, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–10674 Filed 5–5–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. PF16–1–000] Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Access Northeast Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the planned Access Northeast Project (ANE Project). This EIS will discuss the potential impacts on the environment resulting from Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC’s (Algonquin) construction and operation of interstate natural gas transmission and storage facilities in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether the Project is in the public convenience and necessity. This notice, which is being sent to the Commission’s current environmental mailing list describes the process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the ANE Project. The Review Process flow chart in Appendix 1 also illustrates public input opportunities.1 State and local government representatives should notify their constituents of this planned Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. Comments on the ANE Project may be submitted in written form or verbally. The Public Participation section of this notice describes how to submit written comments. To ensure that written comments are properly recorded and that staff has sufficient time to consider them, please send these comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before May 30, 2016. The Commission’s staff will also consider comments received after this date, but we encourage you to file your comments within the identified comment period. Verbal comments can be given at the public scoping meetings described in the Public Participation section below. If you sent comments on the ANE Project to the Commission before November 17, 2015, you will need to resend those comments, attention Docket No. PF16–1–000, to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. 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 planned 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 and the Project is approved, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings where compensation would be determined in accordance with state law. To help potentially affected landowners and other interested parties better understand the Commission and its environmental review process, the ‘‘For Citizens’’ section of the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov) provides information about getting involved in FERC jurisdictional projects, and a citizens’ guide entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need to Know?’’ This guide addresses a number of frequently asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission’s proceedings. Public Participation Submitting comments can make a difference. Your comments should focus 27429 on potential environmental impacts, measures to avoid or lessen these impacts, and reasonable alternatives. These comments will help the Commission’s staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EIS and focus the analysis in the EIS on the important environmental issues. For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The commission will provide equal consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form or provided verbally. In all instances, please reference the Project docket number (PF16–1–000) with your submission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or efiling@ferc.gov. (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 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: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. (4) In lieu of sending written or electronic comments, the Commission invites you to attend one of the public scoping meetings its staff will conduct in the project area, scheduled as follows. Location Monday, May 16, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time .................................... asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Date and time Southbury Fire Department, 461 Main Street South, Southbury, CT 06488. Mansfield Middle School, 205 Spring Hill Road, Storrs, CT 06268. Sleepy Hollow High School, 210 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591. Stacey Middle School, 66 School Street, Milford, MA 01757. Ford Middle School, 708 Middle Road, Acushnet, MA 02743. Monday, May 16, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time .................................... Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time ................................... Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time * ............................ Wednesday, May 18, 2016, 6:30 p.m. Eastern Time .............................. 1 The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:20 May 05, 2016 Jkt 238001 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 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502–8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. E:\FR\FM\06MYN1.SGM 06MYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 88 (Friday, May 6, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27428-27429]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10674]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-9-000]


Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC, Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, 
LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the 
Proposed Atlantic Bridge Project Replacement Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the 
Atlantic Bridge Project proposed by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC 
(Algonquin) and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC (Maritimes), 
collectively referred to as the Applicants, in the above-referenced 
docket. The Applicants request authorization to expand existing 
pipeline systems to deliver up to 132,705 dekatherms per day of natural 
gas transportation service to the New England and Maritimes provinces 
of Canada markets.
    The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the Atlantic Bridge Project in accordance 
with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The 
FERC staff concludes that approval of the proposed project, with 
appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major federal 
action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is a cooperating agency 
assisting us in the preparation of this EA because they have special 
expertise with respect to environmental impacts associated with the 
Applicants' proposals.
    The proposed Atlantic Bridge Project includes the following 
facilities:
     4.0 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline to replace existing 
26-inch diameter pipeline in Westchester County, New York;
     2.3 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline to replace existing 
26-inch diameter pipeline in Fairfield County, Connecticut;
     a new 7,700 horsepower compressor station (Weymouth 
Compressor Station) in Norfolk County, Massachusetts;
     a new meter and regulating station in New London County, 
Connecticut;
     modifications to three existing compressor stations in 
Rockland County, New York and Windham and New Haven Counties, 
Connecticut;
     modifications to five existing meter and regulating 
stations and one regulator station in New York, Connecticut, 
Massachusetts, and Maine; and
     ancillary facilities associated with the new pipeline 
including mainline valves and pig launcher/receiver facilities.
    The FERC staff mailed copies of the EA to federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; 
potentially affected landowners and other interested individuals and 
groups; and newspapers and libraries in the project area. In addition, 
the EA is available for public viewing on the FERC's Web site 
(www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. A limited number of copies of 
the EA are available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 First Street 
NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8371.
    Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. Your comments 
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable 
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. 
The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To 
ensure that the Commission has the opportunity to consider your 
comments prior to making its decision on this project, it is important 
that we receive your comments in Washington, DC on or before June 1, 
2016.
    For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to file 
your comments with the Commission. In all instances please reference 
the project docket number (CP16-9-000) with your submission. The 
Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert 
staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature located 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 also file your comments electronically 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.'' You must select the type of filing you are making. If 
you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select 
``Comment on a Filing''; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address: Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, 
Washington, DC 20426.
    Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a 
motion to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedures (Title 18 Code of Federal Regulations Part 
385.214).\1\ Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the 
Commission's decision. The Commission grants affected landowners and 
others with environmental concerns intervenor status upon showing good 
cause by stating that they have a clear and direct interest in this 
proceeding that no other party can adequately represent. Simply filing 
environmental comments will not give you intervenor status, but you do 
not need intervenor status to have your comments considered.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See the previous discussion on the methods for filing 
comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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 (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-
9). 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.


[[Page 27429]]


    Dated: May 2, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-10674 Filed 5-5-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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