Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Yorktown M&R Replacement & Reliability Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 67274-67276 [2018-28257]

Download as PDF amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 67274 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 248 / Friday, December 28, 2018 / Notices Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: FPL–FMPA Revision to Transmission Service Agreement No. 274 to be effective 12/17/2018. Filed Date: 12/20/18. Accession Number: 20181220–5126. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/10/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–628–000. Applicants: Community Wind North 9 LLC. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Category 1 Seller Status Notification & Revised MBR Tariff to be effective 12/ 21/2018. Filed Date: 12/20/18. Accession Number: 20181220–5172. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/10/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–629–000. Applicants: Community Wind North 10 LLC. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Category 1 Seller Status Notification & Revised MBR Tariff to be effective 12/ 21/2018. Filed Date: 12/20/18. Accession Number: 20181220–5188. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/10/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–630–000. Applicants: Community Wind North 11 LLC Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Category 1 Seller Status Notification & Revised MBR Tariff to be effective 12/ 21/2018. Filed Date: 12/20/18. Accession Number: 20181220–5206. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/10/19. The filings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system by clicking on the links or querying the docket number. Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding. eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Dated: December 20, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–28256 Filed 12–27–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:13 Dec 27, 2018 Jkt 247001 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP19–13–000] Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Yorktown M&R Replacement & Reliability Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Yorktown M&R Replacement & Reliability Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin) in Westchester County, New York. The Commission will use this EA 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 about issues regarding the project. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to discover concerns the public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as ‘‘scoping.’’ The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 pm Eastern Time on January 22, 2019. You can make a difference by submitting your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission staff will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on November 5, 2018, you will need to file those comments in PO 00000 Frm 00064 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Docket No. CP19–13–000 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 easement agreement. You are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission approves the project, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be determined by a judge in accordance with state law. Algonquin provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’ This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission’s proceedings. It is also available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) at https:// www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/gas/ gas.pdf. Public Participation The Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals regarding the dockets/ projects to which you subscribe. These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. To sign up go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ esubscription.asp. For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208–3676 or FercOnlineSupport@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, which is located on the E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 248 / Friday, December 28, 2018 / Notices Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. Using eComment 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, which is located on the Commission’s website (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 will be asked to select the type of filing you are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’; 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 (CP19–3– 000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Summary of the Proposed Project Algonquin proposes to replace its existing facilities at the Yorktown Meter and Regulator (M&R) Station in Westchester County, New York, with upgraded facilities to allow for increased capacity and reliability to Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison), an existing shipper on the Algonquin system. The project would increase the capacity of the Yorktown M&R Station to approximately 31.2 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMcf/d) from the current capacity at the Yorktown M&R Station of approximately 9.522 MMcf/d. Algonquin states that the project would respond to Con Edison’s request for additional capacity at the Yorktown M&R Station. Algonquin proposes the following construction activities: • Install temporary bypass facilities within Algonquin’s existing pipeline right-of-way; • remove an approximately 1,300 square foot residential-style brick building that houses the existing M&R facilities and related appurtenances; • install a new approximately 1,800 square foot residential-style building to house a portion of the replacement facilities; • remove the existing gas-fired heater and other appurtenant facilities, and install two new natural gas catalytic heaters, one new filter/separator, and one new natural gas-fired emergency generator; • install an approximately 500 square foot residential-style building to house VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:13 Dec 27, 2018 Jkt 247001 the over-pressure-protection facilities and related appurtenances; • tie-in and commission into service the new M&R facilities; and • remove the temporary bypass facilities, concrete foundations, and other related appurtenances. The general location of the project is shown in appendix 1.1 Land Requirements for Construction The project would temporarily disturb up to 2.5 acres of land during construction activities. This includes approximately 0.7 acre on Con Edison’s property, upon which the Yorktown M&R Station is located, and 1.8 acres within and adjacent to Algonquin’s pipeline right-of-way for temporary workspace. Algonquin would use temporary workspace for temporary bypass facilities, equipment staging, and construction vehicle access to the Yorktown M&R Station property. No land would be acquired to expand the existing facility footprint or permanently maintained for operations and maintenance of the project facilities. The EA Process The EA 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 and wetlands; • vegetation and wildlife; • threatened and endangered species; • cultural resources; • land use; • air quality and noise; • public safety; and • cumulative impacts Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. The EA will present Commission staffs’ independent analysis of the issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 2 and the Commission’s website (https:// www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/ eis.asp). If eSubscribed, you will receive 1 The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ or from the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502– 8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. 2 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. PO 00000 Frm 00065 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67275 instant email notification when the EA is issued. The EA may be issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff will consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to the Commission. To ensure Commission staff have the opportunity to address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2. With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate in the preparation of the EA.3 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. Consultation 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, the Commission is using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project’s potential effects on historic properties.4 Commission staff will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include construction right-of-way, contractor/ pipe storage yards, compressor stations, and access roads). The EA for this project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries. 3 The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, part 1501.6. 4 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 800. Those regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1 67276 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 248 / Friday, December 28, 2018 / Notices This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission’s regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the project. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the electronic document on the FERC’s website (www.ferc.gov). If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ‘‘Mailing List Update Form’’ (appendix 2). Additional Information amozie on DSK3GDR082PROD with NOTICES1 Additional information about the project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number in the Docket Number field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP19–13). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/ EventsList.aspx along with other related information. Dated: December 20, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–28257 Filed 12–27–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:13 Dec 27, 2018 Jkt 247001 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings #1 Take notice that the Commission received the following electric rate filings: Docket Numbers: ER10–1355–006. Applicants: Southern California Edison Company. Description: Triennial Market Power Analysis for the CAISO BAA Market of Southern California Edison Company. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5260. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 2/20/19. Docket Numbers: ER10–1790–017; ER10–2595–004; ER10–276–005; ER12– 1400–005. Applicants: BP Energy Company, Flat Ridge Wind Energy, LLC, Flat Ridge 2 Wind Energy LLC, Rolling Thunder I Power Partners, LLC. Description: Updated Market Power Analysis for Southwest Power Pool Region of BP Energy Company, et. al. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5264. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 2/20/19. Docket Numbers: ER10–2434–008; ER10–2436–008; ER10–2467 008; ER17– 1666–005. Applicants: Fenton Power Partners I, LLC, Hoosier Wind Project, LLC, Red Pine Wind Project, LLC, Wapsipinicon Wind Project LLC. Description: Notice of Change in Status of the EDFR MISO Sellers. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5265. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. Docket Numbers: ER10–3125–013; ER10–3102–013; ER15–1447–005; ER10–3100–013; ER10–3107–013. Applicants: AL Sandersville, LLC, Effingham County Power, LLC, MidGeorgia Cogen L.P., MPC Generating, LLC, Walton County Power, LLC. Description: Notice of Non-Material Change in Status of AL Sandersville, LLC, et al. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5208. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. Docket Numbers: ER11–2105–002. Applicants: Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company. Description: Supplement to June 20, 2018 Updated Market Power Analysis for Southwest Power Pool, Inc. Balancing Area Authority of Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5270. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. PO 00000 Frm 00066 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Docket Numbers: ER18–1169–005. Applicants: California Independent System Operator Corporation. Description: Compliance filing: 2018– 12–19 Commitment Cost Enhancements Phase 3 Gas Price Indices Compliance to be effective 4/1/2019. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5132. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. Docket Numbers: ER18–1169–006. Applicants: California Independent System Operator Corporation. Description: Compliance filing: 2018– 12–19 Commitment Cost Enhancements Phase 3 Omitted Record Compliance to be effective 4/1/2019. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5135. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–90–001. Applicants: Clean Energy Future— Lordstown, LLC. Description: Compliance filing: Informational Filing Pursuant to Schedule 2 of the PJM OATT & Request for Waiver to be effective N/A. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5190. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–357–000. Applicants: KCE NY 1, LLC. Description: Supplement to November 16, 2018 KCE NY 1, LLC tariff filing. Filed Date: 12/20/18. Accession Number: 20181220–5115. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/10/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–610–000. Applicants: Marengo Battery Storage, LLC. Description: Baseline eTariff Filing: Application for Market Based Rate to be effective 12/20/2018. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5152. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–611–000. Applicants: Lockhart Power Company. Description: Compliance filing: Compliance Filing to November 27, 2018 Order to be effective 2/18/2019. Filed Date: 12/19/18. Accession Number: 20181219–5191. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/9/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–612–000. Applicants: NorthWestern Corporation. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: SA 290 10th Rev—NITSA with GCC Three Forks, LLC to be effective 3/1/2019. Filed Date: 12/20/18. Accession Number: 20181220–5000. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/10/19. Docket Numbers: ER19–613–000. Applicants: NorthWestern Corporation. E:\FR\FM\28DEN1.SGM 28DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 248 (Friday, December 28, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67274-67276]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-28257]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP19-13-000]


Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Yorktown M&R Replacement & 
Reliability Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the Yorktown M&R Replacement & 
Reliability Project involving construction and operation of facilities 
by Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin) in Westchester County, 
New York. The Commission will use this EA 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 about issues regarding the project. The National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the 
environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it 
considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to discover concerns the 
public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as 
``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the 
analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this 
notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the 
issues to address in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely 
and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the 
Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 pm Eastern 
Time on January 22, 2019.
    You can make a difference by submitting your specific comments or 
concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential 
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid 
or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the Commission 
staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission 
staff will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the 
EA.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on November 5, 2018, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. CP19-13-000 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 easement agreement. You 
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the project, that approval conveys with it the right of 
eminent domain. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an 
easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation 
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be 
determined by a judge in accordance with state law.
    Algonquin provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the 
FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do 
I Need To Know?'' This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked 
questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate 
in the Commission's proceedings. It is also available for viewing on 
the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/gas/gas.pdf.

Public Participation

    The Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which 
makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals 
regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These instant 
email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and 
provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of 
time you spend researching proceedings. To sign up go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or FercOnlineSupport@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, which is located on the

[[Page 67275]]

Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and 
Filings. Using eComment 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, which is located on the Commission's website (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 will be asked to select the type of filing you 
are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment 
on a Filing''; 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 
(CP19-3-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, 
DC 20426.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Algonquin proposes to replace its existing facilities at the 
Yorktown Meter and Regulator (M&R) Station in Westchester County, New 
York, with upgraded facilities to allow for increased capacity and 
reliability to Consolidated Edison, Inc. (Con Edison), an existing 
shipper on the Algonquin system. The project would increase the 
capacity of the Yorktown M&R Station to approximately 31.2 million 
cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMcf/d) from the current capacity at 
the Yorktown M&R Station of approximately 9.522 MMcf/d. Algonquin 
states that the project would respond to Con Edison's request for 
additional capacity at the Yorktown M&R Station.
    Algonquin proposes the following construction activities:
     Install temporary bypass facilities within Algonquin's 
existing pipeline right-of-way;
     remove an approximately 1,300 square foot residential-
style brick building that houses the existing M&R facilities and 
related appurtenances;
     install a new approximately 1,800 square foot residential-
style building to house a portion of the replacement facilities;
     remove the existing gas-fired heater and other appurtenant 
facilities, and install two new natural gas catalytic heaters, one new 
filter/separator, and one new natural gas-fired emergency generator;
     install an approximately 500 square foot residential-style 
building to house the over-pressure-protection facilities and related 
appurtenances;
     tie-in and commission into service the new M&R facilities; 
and
     remove the temporary bypass facilities, concrete 
foundations, and other related appurtenances.
    The general location of the project is shown in appendix 1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those 
receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov 
using the link called ``eLibrary'' or from the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, or call 
(202) 502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to 
the last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    The project would temporarily disturb up to 2.5 acres of land 
during construction activities. This includes approximately 0.7 acre on 
Con Edison's property, upon which the Yorktown M&R Station is located, 
and 1.8 acres within and adjacent to Algonquin's pipeline right-of-way 
for temporary workspace. Algonquin would use temporary workspace for 
temporary bypass facilities, equipment staging, and construction 
vehicle access to the Yorktown M&R Station property. No land would be 
acquired to expand the existing facility footprint or permanently 
maintained for operations and maintenance of the project facilities.

The EA Process

    The EA 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 and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the 
proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations 
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    The EA will present Commission staffs' independent analysis of the 
issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public 
record through eLibrary \2\ and the Commission's website (https://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis.asp). If eSubscribed, you will 
receive instant email notification when the EA is issued. The EA may be 
issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff will 
consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to the 
Commission. To ensure Commission staff have the opportunity to address 
your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public 
Participation section, beginning on page 2.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate in the 
preparation of the EA.\3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, part 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultation 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, the Commission is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office 
(SHPO), and to solicit their views and those of other government 
agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's 
potential effects on historic properties.\4\ Commission staff will 
define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in 
consultation with the SHPO as the project develops. On natural gas 
facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject 
to ground disturbance (examples include construction right-of-way, 
contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor stations, and access roads). 
The EA for this project will document findings on the impacts on 
historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under 
section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 800. Those 
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries.

[[Page 67276]]

This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the 
Commission's regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, 
whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own 
homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone 
who submits comments on the project. Commission staff will update the 
environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that 
Commission notices related to this environmental review are sent to all 
individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/
or potentially affected by the proposed project.
    If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment 
period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the 
environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the 
electronic document on the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov). If you need 
to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove 
your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ``Mailing 
List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

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 website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number in 
the Docket Number field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP19-
13). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 
502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all 
formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and 
rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along 
with other related information.

    Dated: December 20, 2018.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-28257 Filed 12-27-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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