Gas Transmission Northwest LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for The Proposed GTN Xpress Project Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review, 4578-4581 [2022-01680]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 19 / Friday, January 28, 2022 / Notices
responds; (3) furnish the name, address,
and telephone number of the person
commenting, protesting or intervening;
and (4) otherwise comply with the
requirements of 18 CFR 385.2001
through 385.2005. All comments,
motions to intervene, or protests must
set forth their evidentiary basis. Any
filing made by an intervenor must be
accompanied by proof of service on all
persons listed in the service list
prepared by the Commission in this
proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR
385.2010.
Dated: January 24, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–01756 Filed 1–27–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 11132–029]
jspears on DSK121TN23PROD with NOTICES1
KEI (USA) Power Management (I), LLC;
Notice of Intent To File License
Application, Filing of Pre-Application
Document, and Approving Use of the
Traditional Licensing Process
a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to
File License Application and Request to
Use the Traditional Licensing Process.
b. Project No.: 11132–029.
c. Date Filed: November 22, 2021.
d. Submitted By: KEI (USA) Power
Management (I), LLC (KEI).
e. Name of Project: Eustis
Hydroelectric Project (project).
f. Location: On the North Branch of
the Dead River in Franklin County,
Maine. No federal lands are occupied by
the project works or located within the
project boundary.
g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 and
5.5 of the Commission’s regulations.
h. Potential Applicant Contact: Mr.
Lewis C. Loon, KEI (USA) Power
Management (III) LLC.; 423 Brunswick
Avenue, Gardiner, ME 04345; (207)
203–3027; or email at LewisC.Loon@
kruger.com.
i. FERC Contact: Erin Kimsey at (202)
502–8621; or email at erin.kimsey@
ferc.gov.
j. KEI filed its request to use the
Traditional Licensing Process on
November 22, 2021, and provided
public notice of its request on November
16, 2021. In a letter dated January 21,
2022, the Director of the Division of
Hydropower Licensing approved KEI’s
request to use the Traditional Licensing
Process.
k. With this notice, we are initiating
informal consultation with the U.S. Fish
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and Wildlife Service and NOAA
Fisheries under section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act and the joint
agency regulations thereunder at 50
CFR, part 402; and NOAA Fisheries
under section 305(b) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act and implementing
regulations at 50 CFR 600.920. We are
also initiating consultation with the
Maine State Historic Preservation
Officer, as required by section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act, and
the implementing regulations of the
Advisory Council on Historic
Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.
l. With this notice, we are designating
KEI as the Commission’s non-federal
representative for carrying out informal
consultation pursuant to section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act and section
305(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act; and
consultation pursuant to section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act.
m. On November 22, 2021, KEI filed
a Pre-Application Document (PAD;
including a proposed process plan and
schedule) with the Commission,
pursuant to 18 CFR 5.6 of the
Commission’s regulations.
n. A copy of the PAD may be viewed
and/or printed on the Commission’s
website (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. For assistance, contact FERC
Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
(TTY).
o. The licensee states its unequivocal
intent to submit an application for a
subsequent license for Project No.
11132. Pursuant to 18 CFR 16.20, each
application for a subsequent license and
any competing license applications
must be filed with the Commission at
least 24 months prior to the expiration
of the existing license. All applications
for license for this project must be filed
by November 30, 2024.
p. Register online at https://
ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx to
be notified via email of new filings and
issuances related to this or other
pending projects. For assistance, contact
FERC Online Support.
Dated: January 21, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–01682 Filed 1–27–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP22–2–000]
Gas Transmission Northwest LLC;
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
The Proposed GTN Xpress Project
Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues, and Schedule
for Environmental Review
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
that will discuss the environmental
impacts of the GTN XPress Project
(Project) involving the modification and
operation of existing compression
facilities by Gas Transmission
Northwest LLC (GTN) in Idaho,
Washington, and Oregon. The
Commission will use this EIS in its
decision-making process to determine
whether the Project is in the public
convenience and necessity. The
schedule for preparation of the EIS is
discussed in the Schedule for
Environmental Review section of this
notice.
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 the EIS section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission
requests public comments on the scope
of issues to address in the
environmental document, including
comments on potential alternatives and
impacts, and any relevant information,
studies, or analyses of any kind
concerning impacts affecting the quality
of the human environment.
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.
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Eastern Time on February 22, 2022.
Further details on how to submit
comments are provided in the Public
Participation section of this notice.
If you are a landowner receiving this
notice, a GTN representative may
contact you about the acquisition of
workspace needed to construct, operate,
and maintain the proposed facilities.
The company would seek to negotiate a
mutually acceptable acquisition
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 acquisition 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 grant, exercise, or oversee the
exercise of eminent domain authority.
The courts have exclusive authority to
handle eminent domain cases; the
Commission has no jurisdiction over
these matters.
GTN 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?’’
which 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 Natural Gas Questions or
Landowner Topics link.
Public Participation
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
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
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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 (CP22–2–000) 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.
Additionally, the Commission offers a
free service called eSubscription. This
service provides automatic notification
of filings made to subscribed dockets,
document summaries, and direct links
to the documents. Go to https://
www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to
register for eSubscription.
Summary of the Proposed Project, the
Project Purpose and Need, and
Expected Impacts
GTN proposes to modify and operate
three existing compressor stations in
Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The
Project would increase the capacity of
GTN’s existing natural gas transmission
system by about 150,000 dekatherms per
day between its Kingsgate Meter Station
in Idaho and its Malin Meter Station in
Oregon. According to GTN, its Project
would increase its ability to meet
growing market demand, benefiting
local communities, and providing
operational flexibility. The Project
would consist of the following:
• Uprating, by means of a software
upgrade only, three existing Solar
Turbine Titan 130 gas-fired, turbine
compressors from 14,300 horsepower
(HP) to 23,470 HP at the existing Athol
Compressor Station in Kootenai County,
Idaho, at the existing Starbuck
Compressor Station in Walla Walla
County, Washington; and at the existing
Kent Compressor Station in Sherman
County, Oregon;
• Installing a new 23,470 HP Solar
Turbine Titan 130 gas-fired turbine
compressor and associated piping, and
3 new gas cooling bays and associated
piping; at the Starbuck Compressor
Station; and
• expanding the compressor station
and installing 4 new gas cooling bays
and associated piping at the Kent
Compressor Station.
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The general location of the Project
facilities is shown in appendix 1.1
Based on the environmental
information provided by GTN,
modifications to the existing compressor
stations would require the disturbance
of about 46.9 acres of land. GTN would
maintain about 1.2 acres of land for
operation of the Project facilities; the
remaining acreage would be restored.
Based on an initial review of GTN’s
proposal, Commission staff has
identified several expected impacts that
deserve attention in the EIS. For
example, the Project would generate
additional air emissions that could
impact air quality and the Project would
increase noise levels.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission
will discuss impacts that could occur as
a result of the modification and
operation of the proposed 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;
• air quality and noise; and
• reliability and safety.
Commission staff will also make
recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource
areas. Your comments will help
Commission staff focus its analysis on
the issues that may have a significant
effect on the human environment.
The EIS will present Commission
staff’s independent analysis of the
issues. Staff will prepare a draft EIS
which 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 draft and final EIS will be available
in electronic format in the public record
through eLibrary 2 and the
Commission’s natural gas
environmental documents web page
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/
1 The appendices referenced in this notice will
not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the
appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov
using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’. 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.
2 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer
to the last page of this notice.
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natural-gas/environment/
environmental-documents). If
eSubscribed, you will receive instant
email notification when the
environmental document is issued.
Alternatives Under Consideration
The EIS will evaluate reasonable
alternatives that are technically and
economically feasible and meet the
purpose and need for the proposed
action.3 Alternatives that will be
evaluated to determine if they are
feasible and meet the purpose and need
for the Project include the no-action
alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented; system alternatives;
natural gas compression alternatives;
pipeline alternatives; and aboveground
facility site layout alternatives.
With this notice, the Commission
requests specific comments regarding
any additional potential alternatives to
the proposed action or segments of the
proposed action. Please focus your
comments on reasonable alternatives
(including alternative facility sites) that
meet the Project objectives, are
technically and economically feasible,
and avoid or lessen environmental
impact.
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 section 106
consultation for the Project with the
applicable State Historic Preservation
Office(s), and other government
agencies, interested Indian tribes, and
the public to solicit their views and
concerns regarding the Project’s
potential effects on historic properties.4
The Project EIS will document findings
on the impacts on historic properties
and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
Schedule for Environmental Review
On October 19, 2021, the Commission
issued its Notice of Application for the
Project. Among other things, that notice
alerted other agencies issuing federal
authorizations of the requirement to
complete all necessary reviews and to
reach a final decision on the request for
a federal authorization within 90 days of
the date of issuance of the Commission
staff’s final EIS for the Project. This
notice identifies the Commission staff’s
planned schedule for completion of the
final EIS for the Project, which is based
on an issuance of the draft EIS in June
2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the
final EIS: October 14, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision
Deadline: 5 January 12, 2023
If a schedule change becomes
necessary for the final EIS, an additional
notice will be provided so that the
relevant agencies are kept informed of
the Project’s progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated
permits and authorizations for the
Project required under federal law. This
list may not be all-inclusive and does
not preclude any permit or
authorization if it is not listed here.
Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/
or special expertise may formally
cooperate in the preparation of the
Commission’s EIS and may adopt the
EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities
related to this Project. 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.
TABLE OF FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY DELEGATED PERMITS
Permit
Agency
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity ....................................
Endangered Species Act Consultation .....................................................
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald Eagle Consultation ..........................
National Historic Preservation Act ............................................................
FERC.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
ID, WA, OR Historic Preservation Offices, and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices.
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Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for the Project which
includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and
agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest
groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries
and newspapers. This list also includes
all 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
3 40
CFR 1508.1(z).
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
4 The
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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
potentially affected by the proposed
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 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 CP22–2–000 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).
in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register
of Historic Places.
5 The Commission’s deadline applies to the
decisions of other federal agencies, and state
agencies acting under federally delegated authority,
that are responsible for federal authorizations,
permits, and other approvals necessary for
proposed projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per
18 CFR 157.22(a), the Commission’s deadline for
other agency’s decisions applies unless a schedule
is otherwise established by federal law.
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Additional Information
In compliance with the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) is soliciting
public comment on the currently
approved information collection FERC–
546, (Certificated Rate Filings: Gas
Pipeline Rates), which will be submitted
to the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) for review.
DATES: Comments on the collection of
information are due February 28, 2022.
Send written comments on
FERC–546 to OMB through
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Desk Officer. Please
identify the OMB Control Number
(1902–0155) in the subject line of your
comments. Comments should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to www.reginfo.gov/public/do/
PRAMain.
Please submit copies of your
comments to the Commission. You may
submit copies of your comments
(identified by Docket No. IC22–2–000)
by one of the following methods:
Electronic filing through https://
www.ferc.gov, is preferred.
• Electronic Filing: Documents must
be filed in acceptable native
applications and print-to-PDF, but not
in scanned or picture format.
• For those unable to file
electronically, comments may be filed
by USPS mail or by hand (including
courier) delivery.
Æ Mail via U.S. Postal Service Only:
Addressed to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the
Commission, 888 First Street NE,
Washington, DC 20426.
Æ Hand (including courier) delivery:
Deliver to: Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue,
Rockville, MD 20852.
Instructions: OMB submissions must
be formatted and filed in accordance
with submission guidelines at
www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain.
Using the search function under the
‘‘Currently Under Review’’ field, select
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
click ‘‘submit,’’ and select ‘‘comment’’
to the right of the subject collection.
FERC submissions must be formatted
and filed in accordance with submission
guidelines at: https://www.ferc.gov. For
user assistance, contact FERC Online
Support by email at ferconlinesupport@
ferc.gov, or by phone at: (866) 208–3676
(toll-free).
Docket: Users interested in receiving
automatic notification of activity in this
docket or in viewing/downloading
comments and issuances in this docket
may do so at https://www.ferc.gov/ferconline/overview.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ellen Brown may be reached by email
at DataClearance@FERC.gov, telephone
at (202) 502–8663.
1 Hinshaw pipelines are those that receive all outof-state gas from entities within or at the boundary
of a state if all the natural gas so received is
ultimately consumed within the state in which it is
received, 15 U.S.C. 717(c). Congress concluded that
Hinshaw pipelines are ‘‘matters primarily of local
concern,’’ and so are more appropriately regulated
by pertinent state agencies rather than by FERC.
The Natural Gas Act section 1(c) exempts Hinshaw
pipelines from FERC jurisdiction. A Hinshaw
pipeline, however, may apply for a FERC certificate
to transport gas outside of state lines.
2 ‘‘Burden’’ is the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended by persons to generate,
ADDRESSES:
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.,
CP22–2–000). 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 https://www.ferc.gov/newsevents/events along with other related
information.
Dated: January 21, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–01680 Filed 1–27–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. IC22–2–000]
Commission Information Collection
Activities (Ferc–546) Comment
Request; Extension
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of information collection
and request for comments.
AGENCY:
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SUMMARY:
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
1. FERC–546
Title: FERC–546, Certificated Rate
Filings: Gas Pipeline Rates.
OMB Control No.: 1902–0155.
Type of Request: Three-year extension
of the FERC–546 information collection
requirements with no changes to the
current reporting requirements. There
were no comments received on the 60day comment period (86 FR 63010).
Abstract: The Commission reviews
the FERC–546 materials to decide
whether to approve rates and tariff
changes associated with an application
for a certificate under Natural Gas Act
(NGA) section 7(c) (15 U.S.C. 717f(c)).
Additionally, FERC reviews FERC–546
materials in storage applications under
NGA section 4(f) (15 U.S.C. 717c(f)), to
evaluate an applicant’s market power
and determine whether to grant marketbased rate authority to the applicant.
The Commission uses the information
in FERC–546 to monitor jurisdictional
transportation, natural gas storage, and
unbundled sales activities of interstate
natural gas pipelines and Hinshaw 1
pipelines. In addition to fulfilling the
Commission’s obligations under the
NGA, the FERC–546 enables the
Commission to monitor the activities
and evaluate transactions of the natural
gas industry, ensure competitiveness,
and improve efficiency of the industry’s
operations. In summary, the
Commission uses the information to:
• Ensure adequate customer
protections under NGA section 4(f);
• review rate and tariff changes filed
under NGA section 7(c) for certification
of natural gas pipeline transportation
and storage services;
• provide general industry oversight;
and
• supplement documentation during
the pipeline audits process.
Failure to collect this information
would prevent the Commission from
monitoring and evaluating transactions
and operations of jurisdictional
pipelines and performing its regulatory
functions.
Type of Respondents: Jurisdictional
pipeline companies and storage
operators.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 2 The
Commission estimates the burden and
cost for this information collection as
follows:
maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information
to or for a Federal agency. For further explanation
of what is included in the information collection
burden, refer to Title 5 Code of Federal Regulations
1320.3.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4578-4581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01680]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-2-000]
Gas Transmission Northwest LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for The Proposed GTN Xpress Project
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for
Environmental Review
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss the environmental impacts of the GTN XPress Project
(Project) involving the modification and operation of existing
compression facilities by Gas Transmission Northwest LLC (GTN) in
Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The Commission will use this EIS in its
decision-making process to determine whether the Project is in the
public convenience and necessity. The schedule for preparation of the
EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental Review section of
this notice.
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 the EIS section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document, including
comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and any relevant
information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts
affecting the quality of the human environment.
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.
[[Page 4579]]
Eastern Time on February 22, 2022. Further details on how to submit
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this
notice.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a GTN representative
may contact you about the acquisition of workspace needed to construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company would seek
to negotiate a mutually acceptable acquisition 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 acquisition 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 grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of eminent
domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent
domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters.
GTN 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?'' which 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 Natural Gas Questions or Landowner Topics link.
Public Participation
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
[email protected]. 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 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 (CP22-2-
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.
Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings
made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the
documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register
for eSubscription.
Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and
Expected Impacts
GTN proposes to modify and operate three existing compressor
stations in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The Project would increase
the capacity of GTN's existing natural gas transmission system by about
150,000 dekatherms per day between its Kingsgate Meter Station in Idaho
and its Malin Meter Station in Oregon. According to GTN, its Project
would increase its ability to meet growing market demand, benefiting
local communities, and providing operational flexibility. The Project
would consist of the following:
Uprating, by means of a software upgrade only, three
existing Solar Turbine Titan 130 gas-fired, turbine compressors from
14,300 horsepower (HP) to 23,470 HP at the existing Athol Compressor
Station in Kootenai County, Idaho, at the existing Starbuck Compressor
Station in Walla Walla County, Washington; and at the existing Kent
Compressor Station in Sherman County, Oregon;
Installing a new 23,470 HP Solar Turbine Titan 130 gas-
fired turbine compressor and associated piping, and 3 new gas cooling
bays and associated piping; at the Starbuck Compressor Station; and
expanding the compressor station and installing 4 new gas
cooling bays and associated piping at the Kent Compressor Station.
The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\1\
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\1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary''. 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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Based on the environmental information provided by GTN,
modifications to the existing compressor stations would require the
disturbance of about 46.9 acres of land. GTN would maintain about 1.2
acres of land for operation of the Project facilities; the remaining
acreage would be restored.
Based on an initial review of GTN's proposal, Commission staff has
identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS.
For example, the Project would generate additional air emissions that
could impact air quality and the Project would increase noise levels.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could
occur as a result of the modification and operation of the proposed
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;
air quality and noise; and
reliability and safety.
Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help
Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a
significant effect on the human environment.
The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the
issues. Staff will prepare a draft EIS which 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 draft and final EIS will be
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary
\2\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/
[[Page 4580]]
natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you
will receive instant email notification when the environmental document
is issued.
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\2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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Alternatives Under Consideration
The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically
and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the
proposed action.\3\ Alternatives that will be evaluated to determine if
they are feasible and meet the purpose and need for the Project include
the no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not implemented;
system alternatives; natural gas compression alternatives; pipeline
alternatives; and aboveground facility site layout alternatives.
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\3\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action
or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on
reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites) that
meet the Project objectives, are technically and economically feasible,
and avoid or lessen environmental impact.
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
section 106 consultation for the Project with the applicable State
Historic Preservation Office(s), and other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their views and
concerns regarding the Project's potential effects on historic
properties.\4\ The Project EIS will document findings on the impacts on
historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under
section 106.
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\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.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
On October 19, 2021, the Commission issued its Notice of
Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted
other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to
complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the
request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of
issuance of the Commission staff's final EIS for the Project. This
notice identifies the Commission staff's planned schedule for
completion of the final EIS for the Project, which is based on an
issuance of the draft EIS in June 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS: October 14, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline: \5\ January 12, 2023
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\5\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.
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If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are
kept informed of the Project's progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations
for the Project required under federal law. This list may not be all-
inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it is
not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special
expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's
EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related
to this Project. 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.
Table of Federal and Federally Delegated Permits
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Permit Agency
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Certificate of Public Convenience and FERC.
Necessity.
Endangered Species Act Consultation.... U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Eagle Consultation.
National Historic Preservation Act..... ID, WA, OR Historic
Preservation Offices, and
Tribal Historic Preservation
Offices.
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Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the Project which includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all 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 potentially affected by
the proposed 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 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 CP22-2-000 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).
[[Page 4581]]
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.,
CP22-2-000). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
[email protected] 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 https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.
Dated: January 21, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-01680 Filed 1-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
