WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned Wahpeton Expansion Project and Notice of Virtual Public Scoping Sessions, 1135-1138 [2022-00184]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
In addition to publishing the full text
of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
interested persons an opportunity to
view and/or print the contents of this
document via the internet through the
Commission’s Home Page (https://
www.ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. At this
time, the Commission has suspended
access to the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, due to the
proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel
Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), issued
by the President on March 13, 2020. For
assistance, contact the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.
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 may mail similar
pleadings to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand
delivered submissions in docketed
proceedings should be delivered to
Health and Human Services, 12225
Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland
20852.
Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Time on January 18, 2022.
Dated: January 4, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–00189 Filed 1–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. NJ22–8–000]
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City of Colton, California; Notice of
Filing
Take notice that on December 29,
2021, City of Colton, California
submitted its tariff filing: 2022
Transmission Revenue Balancing
Account Adjustment/Existing
Transmission Contracts update, to be
effective January 1, 2022.
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, 385.214).
Protests will be considered by the
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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. Such notices, motions, or
protests must be filed on or before the
comment date. On or before the
comment date, it is not necessary to
serve motions to intervene or protests
on persons other than the Applicant.
In addition to publishing the full text
of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
interested persons an opportunity to
view and/or print the contents of this
document via the internet through the
Commission’s Home Page (https://
www.ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
Enter the docket number excluding the
last three digits in the docket number
field to access the document. At this
time, the Commission has suspended
access to the Commission’s Public
Reference Room, due to the
proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel
Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), issued
by the President on March 13, 2020. For
assistance, contact the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202)
502–8659.
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 may mail similar
pleadings to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand
delivered submissions in docketed
proceedings should be delivered to
Health and Human Services, 12225
Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland
20852.
Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Time on January 18, 2022.
Dated: January 4, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–00190 Filed 1–7–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. PF21–4–000]
WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice
of Scoping Period Requesting
Comments on Environmental Issues
for the Planned Wahpeton Expansion
Project and Notice of Virtual Public
Scoping Sessions
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an
environmental document that will
discuss the environmental impacts of
the Wahpeton Expansion Project
involving construction and operation of
facilities by WBI Energy Transmission,
Inc. (WBI Energy) in Cass and Richland
Counties, North Dakota. The
Commission will use this environmental
document 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 regarding the
project. As part of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
review process, the Commission takes
into account concerns the public may
have about proposals and the
environmental impacts that could result
from its action whenever it considers
the issuance of a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to
as ‘‘scoping.’’ The main goal of the
scoping process is to focus the analysis
in the environmental document on the
important environmental issues.
Additional information about the
Commission’s NEPA process is
described below in the NEPA Process
and Environmental Document section of
this notice.
By this notice, the Commission
requests public comments on the scope
of issues to address in the
environmental document. 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 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
on February 3, 2022. Comments may be
submitted in written or oral form.
Further details on how to submit
comments are provided in the Public
Participation section of this notice.
Your comments should focus on the
potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to
avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
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Your input will help the Commission
staff determine what issues they need to
evaluate in the environmental
document. Commission staff will
consider all written or oral comments
during the preparation of the
environmental document.
If you submitted comments on this
project to the Commission before the
opening of this docket on September 27,
2021, you will need to file those
comments in Docket No. PF21–4–000 to
ensure they are considered.
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 planned
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
planned 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, the Natural Gas Act conveys
the right of eminent domain to the
company. 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. The
Commission does not subsequently
grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise
of that eminent domain authority. The
courts have exclusive authority to
handle eminent domain cases; the
Commission has no jurisdiction over
these matters.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC
entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
To Know?’’ addresses typically asked
questions, including the use of eminent
domain and how to participate in the
Commission’s proceedings. This fact
sheet along with other landowner topics
of interest are available for viewing on
the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under
the links to Natural Gas Questions or
Landowner Topics.
Public Participation
There are four methods you can use
to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow
these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. The
Commission encourages electronic filing
of comments and has staff available to
assist you at (866) 208–3676 or
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.
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(1) You can file your comments
electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the
Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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
Commission. Be sure to reference the
project docket number (PF21–4–000) on
your letter. Submissions sent via the
U.S. Postal Service must be addressed
to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426.
Submissions sent via any other carrier
must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, Maryland 20852.
(4) In lieu of sending written
comments, the Commission invites you
to attend one of the virtual public
scoping sessions its staff will conduct
by telephone, scheduled as follows:
Date and Time:
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
4:30–6:30 pm Central Standard Time
Call in number: 1–888–604–9359
Participant passcode: 8998724
Thursday, January 27, 2022
4:30–6:30 pm Central Standard Time
Call in number: 1–888–604–9359
Participant passcode: 8998724
The primary goal of these scoping
sessions is to have you identify the
specific environmental issues and
concerns that should be considered in
the environmental document.
Individual oral comments will be taken
on a one-on-one basis with a court
reporter present on the line. This format
is designed to receive the maximum
amount of oral comments, in a
convenient way during the timeframe
allotted, and is in response to the
ongoing COVID–19 pandemic.
For each scoping session, you may
call at any time after 4:30 p.m. Central
Standard Time at which time you will
be placed on mute and hold. Calls will
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be answered in the order they are
received. Once answered, you will have
the opportunity to provide your
comment directly to a court reporter,
with FERC staff, or FERC staff
representative present on the line. A
time limit of three minutes will be
implemented for each commentor.
Transcripts of all comments received
during the scoping session(s) will be
publicly available on FERC’s eLibrary
system (see the last page of this notice
for instructions on using eLibrary).
It is important to note that the
Commission provides equal
consideration to all comments received,
whether filed in written form or
provided orally at a virtual scoping
session.
Additionally, 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. Go to https://
www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to
register for eSubscription.
Summary of the Planned Project
WBI Energy plans to construct and
operate about 58.7 miles of 12-inchdiameter natural gas pipeline from WBI
Energy’s existing Mapleton Compressor
Station near Mapleton, North Dakota to
a new meter station near Wahpeton,
North Dakota. The Wahpeton Expansion
Project would provide about 20.6
million standard cubic feet of natural
gas per day to southeastern North
Dakota. According to WBI Energy, the
project would provide additional
natural gas supply to Wahpeton, North
Dakota and new natural gas service to
Kindred, North Dakota, as requested by
Montana-Dakota Utilities Company
(MDU).
In addition to the pipeline facilities,
the Wahpeton Expansion Project would
also include the following facilities:
• Modifications (installation of
additional equipment and facilities, but
no additional compression) to WBI
Energy’s existing Mapleton Compressor
Station in Cass County, North Dakota;
• two delivery stations (MDUKindred Border Station and MDUWahpeton Border Station) in Cass and
Richland Counties (respectively), North
Dakota;
• seven block valve settings;
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• four pig launcher/receiver settings
at block valve settings 1, 2, 5, and 7; 1
and
• farm taps.
The general location of the project
facilities is shown in appendix 1.2
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the planned facilities
would disturb at least 533.7 acres of
land for the aboveground facilities and
the pipeline. Following construction,
WBI Energy would maintain at least
358.8 acres for permanent operation of
the project’s facilities; the remaining
acreage would be restored and reverted
to former uses. The preliminary estimate
of acreages affected would likely
increase as the planned project’s design
advances. About 61 percent of the
planned pipeline route parallels existing
electric transmission line and road
rights-of-way.
NEPA Process and the Environmental
Document
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Any environmental document issued
by Commission staff will discuss
impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the
planned project under the relevant
general resource areas:
• geology and soils;
• water resources and wetlands;
• vegetation and wildlife;
• threatened and endangered species;
• cultural resources;
• land use;
• socioeconomics and environmental
justice;
• air quality and noise;
• climate change; and
• reliability and safety.
Commission staff have already
identified several issues that deserve
attention based on a preliminary review
of the planned facilities and the
environmental information provided by
WBI Energy. This preliminary list of
issues may change based on your
comments and our analysis:
• potential effects on drain tiles;
• impacts on waterbodies; and
1 A ‘‘pig’’ is a tool that the pipeline company
inserts into and pushes through the pipeline for
cleaning the pipeline, conducting internal
inspections, or other purposes.
2 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.’’ For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this
notice. At this time, the Commission has suspended
access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room
due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus
Disease (COVID–19), issued by the President on
March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact FERC at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll free, (886)
208–3676 or TTY (202) 502–8659.
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• impacts on soils and restoration of
impacted farmland.
Commission staff will also evaluate
reasonable alternatives to the planned
project or portions of the project and
make recommendations on how to
lessen or avoid impacts on the various
resource areas. Your comments will
help Commission staff identify and
focus on the issues that might have an
effect on the human environment and
potentially eliminate others from further
study and discussion in the
environmental document.
Although no formal application has
been filed, Commission staff have
already initiated a NEPA review under
the Commission’s pre-filing process.
The purpose of the pre-filing process is
to encourage early involvement of
interested stakeholders and to identify
and resolve issues before the
Commission receives an application. As
part of the pre-filing review,
Commission staff will contact federal
and state agencies to discuss their
involvement in the scoping process and
the preparation of the environmental
document.
If a formal application is filed,
Commission staff will then determine
whether to prepare an Environmental
Assessment (EA) or an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the
EIS will present Commission staff’s
independent analysis of the
environmental issues. If Commission
staff prepares an EA, a Notice of
Schedule for the Preparation of an
Environmental Assessment will be
issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The
Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its
determination on the proposed project.
If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a
Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS/
Notice of Schedule will be issued once
an application is filed, which will open
an additional public comment period.
Staff will then prepare a draft EIS that
will be issued for public comment.
Commission staff will consider all
timely comments received during the
comment period on the draft EIS, and
revise the document, as necessary,
before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or
draft and final EIS will be available in
electronic format in the public record
through eLibrary 3 and the
Commission’s natural gas
environmental documents web page
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/
natural-gas/environment/
environmental-documents). If
eSubscribed, you will receive instant
3 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer
to the last page of this notice.
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1137
email notification when the
environmental document is issued.
With this notice, the Commission is
asking agencies with jurisdiction by law
and/or special expertise with respect to
the environmental issues related to this
project to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the environmental
document.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.
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 North Dakota State Historic
Preservation Officer, 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 The
environmental document for this project
will document our 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; tribes; other interested parties;
and local libraries and newspapers. 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 and includes a
mailing address with their comments.
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
4 The Council on Environmental Quality
regulations addressing cooperating agency
responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1501.8.
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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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 6 / Monday, January 10, 2022 / Notices
potentially affected by the planned
project.
If you need to make changes to your
name/address, or if you would like to
remove your name from the mailing list,
please complete one of the following
steps:
(1) Send an email to
GasProjectAddressChange@ferc.gov
stating your request. You must include
the docket number PF21–4–000 in your
request. If you are requesting a change
to your address, please be sure to
include your name and the correct
address. If you are requesting to delete
your address from the mailing list,
please include your name and address
as it appeared on this notice. This email
address is unable to accept comments.
OR
(2) Return the attached ‘‘Mailing List
Update Form’’ (appendix 2).
Becoming an Intervenor
Once WBI Energy files its application
with the Commission, you may want to
become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an
official party to the Commission’s
proceeding. Only intervenors have the
right to seek rehearing of the
Commission’s decision 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 pursuant to Rule 214 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions
to intervene are more fully described at
https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/
how-to.asp. Please note that the
Commission will not accept requests for
intervenor status at this time. You must
wait until the Commission receives a
formal application for the project, after
which the Commission will issue a
public notice that establishes an
intervention deadline.
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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 (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. 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 all formal
documents issued by the Commission,
such as orders, notices, and
rulemakings.
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Public sessions or site visits will be
posted on the Commission’s calendar
located at https://www.ferc.gov/newsevents/events along with other related
information.
Wind Project, LLC, Cimarron Bend
Wind Project II, LLC, Chisholm View
Wind Project II, LLC, Cimarron Bend
Wind Project I, LLC, Lindahl Wind
Project, LLC, Drift Sand Wind Project,
LLC, Little Elk Wind Project, LLC,
Dated: January 4, 2022.
Goodwell Wind Project, LLC, Origin
Kimberly D. Bose,
Wind Energy, LLC, Buffalo Dunes Wind
Secretary.
Project, LLC, Chisholm View Wind
[FR Doc. 2022–00184 Filed 1–7–22; 8:45 am]
Project, LLC, Rocky Ridge Wind Project,
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
LLC, Caney River Wind Project, LLC,
Smoky Hills Wind Project II, LLC,
Smoky Hills Wind Farm, LLC.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Description: Triennial Market Power
Analysis for Southwest Power Pool Inc.
Federal Energy Regulatory
Region of Smoky Hills Wind Farm, LLC,
Commission
et al.
Filed Date: 12/30/21.
Combined Notice of Filings #1
Accession Number: 20211230–5330.
Take notice that the Commission
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/28/22.
received the following electric rate
Docket Numbers: ER15–632–012;
filings:
ER14–2465–013; ER14–2466–013;
Docket Numbers: ER10–2400–015.
ER14–2939–010; ER15–634–012; ER15–
Applicants: Blue Canyon Windpower 2728–012; ER16–711–009; ER19–2287–
LLC.
003; ER19–2294–003; ER19–2305–003.
Description: Triennial Market Power
Applicants: Valencia Power, LLC,
Analysis for Southwest Power Pool Inc.
Mesquite Power, LLC, Goal Line L.P.,
Region of Blue Canyon Windpower LLC. Pio Pico Energy Center, LLC, Maricopa
Filed Date: 1/3/22.
West Solar PV, LLC, Cottonwood Solar,
Accession Number: 20220103–5485.
LLC, Imperial Valley Solar Company
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/4/22.
(IVSC) 2, LLC, RE Camelot LLC, RE
Columbia Two LLC, CID Solar, LLC.
Docket Numbers: ER10–2739–033;
Description: Triennial Market Power
ER10–1892–020; ER16–1652–020;
ER17–1494–004; ER19–170–004; ER20– Analysis for Southwest Region of CID
Solar, LLC, et al.
660–007; ER21–1505–002; ER22–425–
Filed Date: 1/3/22.
001.
Accession Number: 20220103–5488.
Applicants: Enerwise Global
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/4/22.
Technologies, LLC, Diablo Energy
Storage, LLC, Bolt Energy Marketing,
Docket Numbers: ER22–758–000.
LLC, Gateway Energy Storage, LLC,
Applicants: Diamond Spring, LLC.
Vista Energy Storage, LLC, LifeEnergy
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
LLC, Columbia Energy LLC, LS Power
Triennial Market Power Update and
Marketing, LLC.
Seller Category Tariff Revision to be
Description: Triennial Market Power
effective 3/5/2022.
Analysis for Southwest Region of LS
Filed Date: 1/3/22.
Power Marketing, LLC, et al.
Accession Number: 20220103–5385.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 1/24/22.
Filed Date: 1/3/22.
Accession Number: 20220103–5486.
Docket Numbers: ER22–759–000.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/4/22.
Applicants: Tri-State Generation and
Transmission Association, Inc.
Docket Numbers: ER11–4498–013;
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
ER11–4499–013; ER11–4501–015;
ER12–979–014; ER12–2448–014; ER13– Initial Filing of Rate Schedule No. 339
2409–009; ER14–2858–008; ER15–2615– to be effective 12/2/2021.
Filed Date: 1/3/22.
004; ER15–2620–004; ER16–2293–005;
Accession Number: 20220103–5390.
ER16–2577–004; ER16–2653–005;
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 1/24/22.
ER16–2687–003; ER17–790–002; ER17–
2457–004; ER17–2470–004; ER18–27–
Docket Numbers: ER22–760–000.
003; ER18–2312–003; ER18–2330–002;
Applicants: Midcontinent
ER20–1790–001; ER20–2134–001;
Independent System Operator, Inc.,
ER21–2597–001.
Ameren Illinois Company.
Applicants: Rockhaven Wind Project,
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
LLC, Cimarron Bend Wind Project III,
Midcontinent Independent System
LLC, Aurora Wind Project, LLC, Enel
Operator, Inc. submits tariff filing per
Green Power Rattlesnake Creek Wind
35.13(a)(2)(iii: 2022–01–04_SA 3763
Project, LLC, Enel Green Power
Ameren-City of Newton Switching
Diamond Vista Wind Project, LLC,
Agreement to be effective 3/6/2022.
Thunder Ranch Wind Project, LLC, Red
Filed Date: 1/4/22.
Accession Number: 20220104–5115.
Dirt Wind Project, LLC, Rock Creek
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 6 (Monday, January 10, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1135-1138]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00184]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF21-4-000]
WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned Wahpeton
Expansion Project and Notice of Virtual Public Scoping Sessions
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the Wahpeton Expansion Project involving
construction and operation of facilities by WBI Energy Transmission,
Inc. (WBI Energy) in Cass and Richland Counties, North Dakota. The
Commission will use this environmental document 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 regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and Environmental Document section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 3, 2022. Comments
may be submitted in written or oral form. Further details on how to
submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section of
this notice.
Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts.
[[Page 1136]]
Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they
need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission staff will
consider all written or oral comments during the preparation of the
environmental document.
If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on September 27, 2021, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. PF21-4-000 to ensure they are considered.
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 planned
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 planned 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, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent
domain to the company. 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. The Commission does
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these
matters.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' addresses typically
asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to
participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet along with
other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the links to Natural Gas Questions or
Landowner Topics.
Public Participation
There are four methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF21-4-
000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must
be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
(4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you
to attend one of the virtual public scoping sessions its staff will
conduct by telephone, scheduled as follows:
Date and Time:
Tuesday, January 25, 2022
4:30-6:30 pm Central Standard Time
Call in number: 1-888-604-9359
Participant passcode: 8998724
Thursday, January 27, 2022
4:30-6:30 pm Central Standard Time
Call in number: 1-888-604-9359
Participant passcode: 8998724
The primary goal of these scoping sessions is to have you identify
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be
considered in the environmental document. Individual oral comments will
be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter present on the
line. This format is designed to receive the maximum amount of oral
comments, in a convenient way during the timeframe allotted, and is in
response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
For each scoping session, you may call at any time after 4:30 p.m.
Central Standard Time at which time you will be placed on mute and
hold. Calls will be answered in the order they are received. Once
answered, you will have the opportunity to provide your comment
directly to a court reporter, with FERC staff, or FERC staff
representative present on the line. A time limit of three minutes will
be implemented for each commentor.
Transcripts of all comments received during the scoping session(s)
will be publicly available on FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page
of this notice for instructions on using eLibrary).
It is important to note that the Commission provides equal
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form
or provided orally at a virtual scoping session.
Additionally, 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. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
Summary of the Planned Project
WBI Energy plans to construct and operate about 58.7 miles of 12-
inch-diameter natural gas pipeline from WBI Energy's existing Mapleton
Compressor Station near Mapleton, North Dakota to a new meter station
near Wahpeton, North Dakota. The Wahpeton Expansion Project would
provide about 20.6 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day
to southeastern North Dakota. According to WBI Energy, the project
would provide additional natural gas supply to Wahpeton, North Dakota
and new natural gas service to Kindred, North Dakota, as requested by
Montana-Dakota Utilities Company (MDU).
In addition to the pipeline facilities, the Wahpeton Expansion
Project would also include the following facilities:
Modifications (installation of additional equipment and
facilities, but no additional compression) to WBI Energy's existing
Mapleton Compressor Station in Cass County, North Dakota;
two delivery stations (MDU-Kindred Border Station and MDU-
Wahpeton Border Station) in Cass and Richland Counties (respectively),
North Dakota;
seven block valve settings;
[[Page 1137]]
four pig launcher/receiver settings at block valve
settings 1, 2, 5, and 7; \1\ and
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\1\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline,
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
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farm taps.
The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\2\
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\2\ 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.'' For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the planned facilities would disturb at least 533.7
acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline.
Following construction, WBI Energy would maintain at least 358.8 acres
for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining
acreage would be restored and reverted to former uses. The preliminary
estimate of acreages affected would likely increase as the planned
project's design advances. About 61 percent of the planned pipeline
route parallels existing electric transmission line and road rights-of-
way.
NEPA Process and the Environmental Document
Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation
of the planned project under the relevant general resource areas:
geology and soils;
water resources and wetlands;
vegetation and wildlife;
threatened and endangered species;
cultural resources;
land use;
socioeconomics and environmental justice;
air quality and noise;
climate change; and
reliability and safety.
Commission staff have already identified several issues that
deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the planned
facilities and the environmental information provided by WBI Energy.
This preliminary list of issues may change based on your comments and
our analysis:
potential effects on drain tiles;
impacts on waterbodies; and
impacts on soils and restoration of impacted farmland.
Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
planned project or portions of the project and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff
have already initiated a NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing
process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve
issues before the Commission receives an application. As part of the
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the
preparation of the environmental document.
If a formal application is filed, Commission staff will then
determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present
Commission staff's independent analysis of the environmental issues. If
Commission staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may
be issued for an allotted public comment period. The Commission would
consider timely comments on the EA before making its determination on
the proposed project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of
Intent to Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued once an
application is filed, which will open an additional public comment
period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS that will be issued for
public comment. Commission staff will consider all timely comments
received during the comment period on the draft EIS, and revise the
document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and
final EIS will be available in electronic format in the public record
through eLibrary \3\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental
documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive
instant email notification when the environmental document is issued.
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\3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues related to this project to formally cooperate in
the preparation of the environmental document.\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 1501.8.
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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 North Dakota State Historic Preservation Officer,
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\ The environmental document 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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Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; tribes; other interested
parties; and local libraries and newspapers. 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 and includes a mailing address with their comments.
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
[[Page 1138]]
potentially affected by the planned project.
If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
(1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your
request. You must include the docket number PF21-4-000 in your request.
If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure to
include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to
accept comments.
OR
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).
Becoming an Intervenor
Once WBI Energy files its application with the Commission, you may
want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the
Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek
rehearing of the Commission's decision 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 pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully
described at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.asp. Please
note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor status
at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a formal
application for the project, after which the Commission will issue a
public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.
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 (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. Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at [email protected] or toll free at (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 https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.
Dated: January 4, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-00184 Filed 1-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
