El Paso Natural Gas Company, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the South Mainline Expansion Project, 40507 [2018-17542]

Download as PDF daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 158 / Wednesday, August 15, 2018 / Notices authorized effective the day after the time allowed for filing a protest. If a protest is filed and not withdrawn within 30 days after the allowed time for filing a protest, the instant request shall be treated as an application for authorization pursuant to section 7 of the NGA. Pursuant to section 157.9 of the Commission’s rules (18 CFR 157.9), within 90 days of this Notice, the Commission staff will either: complete its environmental assessment (EA) and place it into the Commission’s public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff’s issuance of the EA for this proposal. The filing of the EA in the Commission’s public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s EA. Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be placed on the Commission’s environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission’s environmental review process. Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters, will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission’s final order. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests, and interventions in lieu of paper using the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https:// www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and seven copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:28 Aug 14, 2018 Jkt 244001 Dated: August 8, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. Background [FR Doc. 2018–17506 Filed 8–14–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP18–332–000] El Paso Natural Gas Company, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the South Mainline Expansion Project On April 26, 2018, El Paso Natural Gas Company L.L.C. (El Paso) filed an application in Docket No. CP18–332– 000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the South Mainline Expansion Project (Project), and would increase the design capacity on El Paso’s South Mainline system by 321,000 dekatherms of natural gas per day to Arizona and California delivery points. On May 9, 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice identifies the FERC staff’s planned schedule for the completion of the EA for the Project. Schedule for Environmental Review Issuance of EA—November 14, 2018 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline—February 12, 2019 If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the Project’s progress. Project Description EPNG has requested authorization to construct two new natural gas compressor stations on its existing South Mainline pipeline system in Luna County, New Mexico and Cochise County, Arizona; as well as a 17-milelong, 30-inch-diameter loop line in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, Texas. PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 40507 On June 7, 2018, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed South Mainline Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. In response to the NOI, the Commission received comments from the El Paso Water Company, White Mountain Apache Tribe, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribal Council. The primary issues raised by the commenters are the avoidance of impacts on public water system facilities and the need for consultation should any human remains or artifacts be unearthed during Project construction. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA. Additional Information In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA 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 Project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, select ‘‘General Search’’ from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and ‘‘Docket Number’’ excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP18–332), 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 website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. Dated: August 9, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–17542 Filed 8–14–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P E:\FR\FM\15AUN1.SGM 15AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 158 (Wednesday, August 15, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 40507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-17542]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP18-332-000]


El Paso Natural Gas Company, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the South Mainline Expansion Project

    On April 26, 2018, El Paso Natural Gas Company L.L.C. (El Paso) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP18-332-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural 
gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the South 
Mainline Expansion Project (Project), and would increase the design 
capacity on El Paso's South Mainline system by 321,000 dekatherms of 
natural gas per day to Arizona and California delivery points.
    On May 9, 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice 
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the 
EA for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--November 14, 2018
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--February 12, 2019

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

Project Description

    EPNG has requested authorization to construct two new natural gas 
compressor stations on its existing South Mainline pipeline system in 
Luna County, New Mexico and Cochise County, Arizona; as well as a 17-
mile-long, 30-inch-diameter loop line in El Paso and Hudspeth Counties, 
Texas.

Background

    On June 7, 2018, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed South Mainline 
Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues 
(NOI). The NOI was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and 
local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public 
interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and 
local libraries and newspapers. In response to the NOI, the Commission 
received comments from the El Paso Water Company, White Mountain Apache 
Tribe, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Tribal Council. The primary issues 
raised by the commenters are the avoidance of impacts on public water 
system facilities and the need for consultation should any human 
remains or artifacts be unearthed during Project construction. All 
substantive comments will be addressed in the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA 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 Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the ``eLibrary'' link, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP18-332), 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 [email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC 
website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by 
the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: August 9, 2018.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-17542 Filed 8-14-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

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