Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Gulf Xpress Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting, 37192-37195 [2016-13649]

Download as PDF 37192 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 111 / Thursday, June 9, 2016 / Notices Emsworth Back Channel Hydroelectric Project No. 13761–002, and/or Montgomery Locks and Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 13768–002,’’ as appropriate. For further information, contact Nicholas Ettema at (202) 502–6565 or by email at nicholas.ettema@ferc.gov. Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–6630, tony.dobbins@ ferc.gov. Adam Pan (Legal Information), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–6023, adam.pan@ ferc.gov. Dated: June 3, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. Dated: June 3, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–13647 Filed 6–8–16; 8:45 am] [FR Doc. 2016–13650 Filed 6–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. RM16–12–000; Docket No. RM15–21–000] [Docket No. EL16–77–000] 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 FERC OnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 21, 2016. Michigan South Central Power Agency v. Michigan Electric Transmission Company, LLC; Notice of Complaint Dated: June 2, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Review of Generator Interconnection Agreements and Procedures; American Wind Energy Association; Notice Inviting Post-Technical Conference Comments On May 13, 2016, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) staff conducted a technical conference to discuss select issues related to the petition for rulemaking submitted by the American Wind Energy Association in Docket No. RM15–21–000 and other interconnection-related issues, including the interconnection of electric storage. All interested persons are invited to file post-technical conference comments on any or all of the questions listed in the attachment to this Notice. We emphasize that commenters need not answer all of the questions. We encourage commenters to submit new or additional information in response to these questions rather than information that was previously submitted in Docket Nos. RM16–12–000 and/or RM15–21– 000. Commenters should organize responses consistent with the numbering of the attached questions and identify to what extent their responses are generally applicable or pertain to a particular RTO/ISO. Commenters are also invited to reference material previously filed in this docket, including technical conference transcripts. These comments must be filed with the Commission no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 20, 2016. For more information about this Notice, please contact: Tony Dobbins (Technical Information), Office of Energy Policy and Information, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:50 Jun 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 Take notice that on June 1, 2016, pursuant to sections 206 and 306 of the Federal Power Act, 16 U.S.C. 824e and 825e and Rule 206 of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (Commission) Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.206, Michigan South Central Power Agency (Complainant) filed a formal complaint against Michigan Electric Transmission Company (Respondent) alleging that Respondent has failed to comply with Section19.1(i) of the Project I Transmission Ownership and Operating Agreement between Complainant and Respondent, as more fully explained in the complaint. Complainant certifies that copies of the complaint were served on the contacts for Respondent as listed on the Commission’s list of Corporate Officials. 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 and 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. The Respondent’s answer and all interventions, or protests must be filed on or before the comment date. The Respondent’s answer, motions to intervene, and protests must be served on the Complainant. 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 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 [FR Doc. 2016–13645 Filed 6–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP16–361–000] Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Gulf Xpress Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Gulf XPress Project (GXP) involving construction and operation of facilities by Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gulf) in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. 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 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 E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 111 / Thursday, June 9, 2016 / Notices determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EIS. 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 July 5, 2016. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on April 29, 2016, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP16–361–000 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 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 A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’ is available for viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). 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. sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Public Participation 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. 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; VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:50 Jun 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 (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 (CP16–361– 000) with your submission: 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 the public scoping meeting its staff will conduct in the project area, scheduled as follows: FERC Public Scoping Meeting, Gulf Xpress Project, Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 6:00 p.m., Cane Ridge High School, 12848 Old Hickory Boulevard, Antioch, TN 37013. The doors will open at 5 p.m. at which time we will begin our sign up of speakers for the meetings. For the hour prior to the start of the meeting, Columbia Gulf representatives will be present with maps depicting the project area and to answer questions. The scoping meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a description of our environmental review process by Commission staff, after which speakers will be called. The meeting will end once all speakers have provided their comments or at 10 p.m., whichever comes first. Please note that depending on the number of people signed up to speak, there may be a time limit of 3 minutes to present comments, and speakers should structure their comments accordingly. If time limits are implemented, they will be strictly enforced to ensure that as many individuals as possible are given an opportunity to comment. The meeting will be recorded by a court reporter to ensure comments are accurately recorded. The transcript of the meeting will be entered into the formal record of the Commission proceeding. Please note this is not your only opportunity to provide public input; refer to the review process flow chart in appendix 1.1 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 notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37193 Summary of the Proposed Project The GXP would increase the existing transportation capacity of Columbia Gulf’s system by about 860,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas. According to Columbia Gulf, its project is necessary to provide additional pipeline capacity to meet contracted-for firm transportation demand. The proposed facilities would enable shippers the opportunity to transport natural gas to Gulf Coast high-demand markets, markets in Mississippi and Louisiana that are accessible through delivery points along Columbia Gulf’s system, and markets accessible through other interstate pipeline connected to Columbia Gulf’s system. Columbia Gulf has entered into binding precedent agreements for 100 percent of the GXP capacity. For the GXP, Columbia Gulf proposes to construct, operate, and maintain seven new natural gas-fired turbinedriven compressor stations: • The Morehead Compressor Station, a 44,800-horsepower (hp) compressor station in Rowan County, Kentucky; • the Paint Lick Compressor Station, a 41,000-hp compressor station in Garrard County, Kentucky; • the Goodluck Compressor Station, a 31,8000-hp compressor station in Metcalfe County, Kentucky; • the Cane Ridge Compressor Station, a 41,000-hp compressor station in Davidson County, Tennessee; • the Clifton Junction Compressor Station, a 31,800-hp compressor station in Wayne County, Tennessee; • the New Albany Compressor Station, a 31,800-hp compressor station in Union County, Mississippi; and • the Holcomb Compressor Station, a 31,800-hp compressor station in Grenada County, Mississippi. The GXP would also involve: • Installation of an additional 15,900 hp of compression at the anticipated Grayson Compressor Station 2 in Carter County, Kentucky; and • demolition and construction of a new flow control building to upgrade 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 ‘‘Additional Information’’ section of this notice. 2 The Grayson Compressor Station is proposed for construction in Docket No. CP15–539–000 as part of Columbia Gulf’s Rayne XPress Certificated Capacity Increase Project. On April 6, 2016, FERC staff issued the Draft EIS for the Columbia Gas Transmission Leach XPress Pipeline Project and the Columbia Gulf Transmission Rayne XPress Expansion Project, which includes the proposed Grayson Compressor Station. As of this date, the Commission has not authorized construction of these facilities. E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1 37194 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 111 / Thursday, June 9, 2016 / Notices flow control capabilities at the existing Leach C Meter Station in Boyd County, Kentucky. All new compressor stations would include a building to house the compressors; filter/separator and gas cooling equipment; suction and discharge piping; and appurtenant facilities. All stations would be fenced and include a permanent access road. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 2. Land Requirements for Construction The GXP would temporarily disturb about 198 acres during construction with approximately 82 acres converted to permanent use for station operations. At the Grayson Compressor Station site, no additional land would be disturbed during construction beyond that used for the original facility. At the Leach C Meter Station, approximately 1.4 acres of land outside the existing station fence line would be temporarily disturbed during construction. All permanent modifications at the Leach C Meter Station would occur within the existing facility resulting in no new permanent impacts from station operations. sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES The EIS 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 EIS on the important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EIS. We will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EIS. In the EIS, 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; • water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; • vegetation and wildlife; • endangered and threatened species; • cultural resources; • socioeconomics; • land use; • air quality and noise; • public safety; and 3 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:50 Jun 08, 2016 Jkt 238001 • cumulative impacts. We will also evaluate possible 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 EIS will present our independent analysis of the issues. We will publish and distribute the draft EIS for public comment. After the comment period, we will consider all timely comments and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. 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 related to this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS.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 applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 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(s) 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 EIS for this project will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. 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 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. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Currently Identified Environmental Issues We have already identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and the environmental information provided by Columbia Gulf. This preliminary list of issues may change based on your comments and our analysis. • air quality and noise impacts; • wildlife impacts; • alternative compressor station locations; and • health and safety of nearby residences during the operation of the proposed facilities. 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 who own homes within certain distances of the compressor and meter station 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 completed draft EIS 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 3). Becoming an Intervenor 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. Motions to intervene are more fully described at https:// www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/ intervene.asp. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the ‘‘Document-less Intervention Guide’’ under the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s Web site. E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 111 / Thursday, June 9, 2016 / Notices 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 (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– 361–000). 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: June 2, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. that the versions of the tariff sheets filed are accurate and complete. Any party, as defined by 18 CFR 385.102(c), or any participant as defined by 18 CFR 385.102(b), is invited to listen to the conference call. Persons wishing to become a party must move to intervene and receive intervenor status pursuant to the Commission’s regulations (18 CFR 385.214). The conference call will not be webcast or transcribed. However, an audio listen-only line will be provided. Those wishing to access the listen-only line must email Sarah McKinley (Sarah. McKinley@ferc.gov) by 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on June 9, 2016, providing name, email, and phone number, in order to receive the call-in information the day before the conference call. Please use the following text for the subject line: ‘‘ER12–1266– 005 listen-only line registration.’’ Commission conferences are accessible under section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For accessibility accommodations, please send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov or call toll free 1 (866) 208–3372 (voice) or (202) 208–1659 (TTY), or send a FAX to (202) 208–2106 with the required accommodations. For additional information, please contact Christopher Gore at (202) 502– 8507, christopher.gore@ferc.gov. Dated: June 2, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–13646 Filed 6–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P [FR Doc. 2016–13649 Filed 6–8–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [DA 16–584] Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Notice of Conference Docket Nos. sradovich on DSK3TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc. ER12–1265–005 ER12–1265–006 ER12–1266–005 15:50 Jun 08, 2016 Federal Communications Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: In this document, the Media Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) announces that, in order to participate in the postIncentive Auction special displacement window, low power television (LPTV) and TV translator stations must be operating on the date that the Channel Reassignment Public Notice is released following the completion of the reverse auction. SUMMARY: On June 15, 2016, Commission staff will hold a conference call with Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. (MISO) beginning at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time). The purpose of the conference call is to discuss tariff administration issues related to MISO’s pending compliance filings in the above-captioned proceedings to ensure VerDate Sep<11>2014 Media Bureau Announces Date by Which LPTV and TV Translator Stations Must Be ‘‘Operating’’ in Order To Participate in Post-Incentive Auction Special Displacement Window Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 37195 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shaun Maher, Video Division, Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, barbara.kreisman@fcc.gov, (202) 418–2324. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the Incentive Auction R&O, the Commission delegated authority to the Media Bureau to announce, after release of the Channel Reassignment Public Notice and after eligible full power and Class A television stations have an opportunity to file construction permit applications for their new facilities, including an alternative channel or expanded facility, a limited window for operating LPTV and TV translator stations to submit displacement applications. The Commission’s rules limit eligibility to file in the displacement window to ‘‘operating low power TV and TV translator stations that are displaced . . . as a result of the broadcast television spectrum incentive auction.’’ The Commission delegated authority to the Media Bureau to announce the terms of the limited displacement window consistent with the approach outlined in the Incentive Auction R&O. For these purposes, the Media announces that it interprets an ‘‘operating’’ LPTV or TV translator station that is displaced as a result of the incentive auction to mean one that is operating on the date of release of the Channel Reassignment Public Notice. Moreover, the Media Bureau clarifies that for these purposes a station is ‘‘operating’’ if it has licensed its authorized construction permit facilities or has an application for a license to cover on file with the Commission on that date. LPTV stations will not be required to actually cease operations on their current channels until well after the Channel Reassignment Public Notice is released. But the new full power and Class A channel assignments announced in the Channel Reassignment Public Notice and the new 600 MHz band plan announced contemporaneously will enable LPTV stations to determine whether they will eventually be required to move from their current channel to accommodate a new primary licensee and thus whether they would wish to consider filing for a displacement channel during the special displacement window. Determining the universe of displaced operating LPTV stations as of the release of the Channel Reassignment Public Notice will also assist the Media Bureau in identifying channels that can be proposed by displaced stations based on repacking and optimization software and issuing a public notice listing potential channel E:\FR\FM\09JNN1.SGM 09JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 111 (Thursday, June 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37192-37195]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13649]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-361-000]


Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Gulf Xpress Project, 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public 
Scoping Meeting

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of the Gulf XPress Project (GXP) 
involving construction and operation of facilities by Columbia Gulf 
Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gulf) in Kentucky, Tennessee, and 
Mississippi. 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 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

[[Page 37193]]

determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EIS. 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 July 5, 2016.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on April 29, 2016, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. CP16-361-000 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 
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
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). 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.

Public Participation

    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. 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 
(CP16-361-000) with your submission: 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 the public scoping meeting its staff 
will conduct in the project area, scheduled as follows: FERC Public 
Scoping Meeting, Gulf Xpress Project, Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 6:00 
p.m., Cane Ridge High School, 12848 Old Hickory Boulevard, Antioch, TN 
37013.
    The doors will open at 5 p.m. at which time we will begin our sign 
up of speakers for the meetings. For the hour prior to the start of the 
meeting, Columbia Gulf representatives will be present with maps 
depicting the project area and to answer questions.
    The scoping meeting will begin at 6 p.m. with a description of our 
environmental review process by Commission staff, after which speakers 
will be called. The meeting will end once all speakers have provided 
their comments or at 10 p.m., whichever comes first. Please note that 
depending on the number of people signed up to speak, there may be a 
time limit of 3 minutes to present comments, and speakers should 
structure their comments accordingly. If time limits are implemented, 
they will be strictly enforced to ensure that as many individuals as 
possible are given an opportunity to comment. The meeting will be 
recorded by a court reporter to ensure comments are accurately 
recorded. The transcript of the meeting will be entered into the formal 
record of the Commission proceeding.
    Please note this is not your only opportunity to provide public 
input; refer to the review process flow chart in appendix 1.\1\
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    \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 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 ``Additional Information'' 
section of this notice.
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Summary of the Proposed Project

    The GXP would increase the existing transportation capacity of 
Columbia Gulf's system by about 860,000 dekatherms per day of natural 
gas. According to Columbia Gulf, its project is necessary to provide 
additional pipeline capacity to meet contracted-for firm transportation 
demand. The proposed facilities would enable shippers the opportunity 
to transport natural gas to Gulf Coast high-demand markets, markets in 
Mississippi and Louisiana that are accessible through delivery points 
along Columbia Gulf's system, and markets accessible through other 
interstate pipeline connected to Columbia Gulf's system. Columbia Gulf 
has entered into binding precedent agreements for 100 percent of the 
GXP capacity.
    For the GXP, Columbia Gulf proposes to construct, operate, and 
maintain seven new natural gas-fired turbine-driven compressor 
stations:
     The Morehead Compressor Station, a 44,800-horsepower (hp) 
compressor station in Rowan County, Kentucky;
     the Paint Lick Compressor Station, a 41,000-hp compressor 
station in Garrard County, Kentucky;
     the Goodluck Compressor Station, a 31,8000-hp compressor 
station in Metcalfe County, Kentucky;
     the Cane Ridge Compressor Station, a 41,000-hp compressor 
station in Davidson County, Tennessee;
     the Clifton Junction Compressor Station, a 31,800-hp 
compressor station in Wayne County, Tennessee;
     the New Albany Compressor Station, a 31,800-hp compressor 
station in Union County, Mississippi; and
     the Holcomb Compressor Station, a 31,800-hp compressor 
station in Grenada County, Mississippi.
    The GXP would also involve:
     Installation of an additional 15,900 hp of compression at 
the anticipated Grayson Compressor Station \2\ in Carter County, 
Kentucky; and
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    \2\ The Grayson Compressor Station is proposed for construction 
in Docket No. CP15-539-000 as part of Columbia Gulf's Rayne XPress 
Certificated Capacity Increase Project. On April 6, 2016, FERC staff 
issued the Draft EIS for the Columbia Gas Transmission Leach XPress 
Pipeline Project and the Columbia Gulf Transmission Rayne XPress 
Expansion Project, which includes the proposed Grayson Compressor 
Station. As of this date, the Commission has not authorized 
construction of these facilities.
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     demolition and construction of a new flow control building 
to upgrade

[[Page 37194]]

flow control capabilities at the existing Leach C Meter Station in Boyd 
County, Kentucky.
    All new compressor stations would include a building to house the 
compressors; filter/separator and gas cooling equipment; suction and 
discharge piping; and appurtenant facilities. All stations would be 
fenced and include a permanent access road.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    The GXP would temporarily disturb about 198 acres during 
construction with approximately 82 acres converted to permanent use for 
station operations. At the Grayson Compressor Station site, no 
additional land would be disturbed during construction beyond that used 
for the original facility. At the Leach C Meter Station, approximately 
1.4 acres of land outside the existing station fence line would be 
temporarily disturbed during construction. All permanent modifications 
at the Leach C Meter Station would occur within the existing facility 
resulting in no new permanent impacts from station operations.

The EIS 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 EIS on the important 
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public 
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EIS. We will 
consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EIS.
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    \3\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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    In the EIS, 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;
     water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     endangered and threatened species;
     cultural resources;
     socioeconomics;
     land use;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts.
    We will also evaluate possible 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 EIS will present our independent analysis of the issues. We 
will publish and distribute the draft EIS for public comment. After the 
comment period, we will consider all timely comments and revise the 
document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. 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 
related to this project to formally cooperate with us in the 
preparation of the EIS.\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.
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    \4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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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 applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 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(s) 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 EIS for this project will document our 
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status 
of consultations under section 106.
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    \5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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.
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Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and 
the environmental information provided by Columbia Gulf. This 
preliminary list of issues may change based on your comments and our 
analysis.
     air quality and noise impacts;
     wildlife impacts;
     alternative compressor station locations; and
     health and safety of nearby residences during the 
operation of the proposed facilities.

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 who own homes within certain distances of the compressor 
and meter station 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 completed draft EIS 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 3).

Becoming an Intervenor

    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. Motions to intervene are more fully 
described at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. 
Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the ``Document-less 
Intervention Guide'' under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's 
Web site.

[[Page 37195]]

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 (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-
361-000). 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: June 2, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-13649 Filed 6-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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