Alliance Pipeline, L.P.; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Three Rivers Interconnection Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review, 14528-14531 [2022-05425]
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14528
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 50 / Tuesday, March 15, 2022 / Notices
Solar 4, LLC, Maverick Solar, LLC,
Desert Harvest II LLC, Desert Harvest,
LLC, Catalina Solar Lessee, LLC,
BigBeau Solar, LLC.
Description: Notice of Change in
Status of Big Beau Solar, LLC, et al.
Filed Date: 3/3/22.
Accession Number: 20220303–5269.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/24/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–1229–000.
Applicants: MATL LLP.
Description: Compliance filing:
Resubmittal of Compliance FIling Order
676–J (RM05–5) to be effective 12/31/
9998.
Filed Date: 3/9/22.
Accession Number: 20220309–5040.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/30/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–1230–000.
Applicants: Public Service Company
of Colorado.
Description: Tariff Amendment:
2022–03–09 PSC WAPA NOC-Malta SS
Maint 319–0.0.0 to be effective 3/10/
2022.
Filed Date: 3/9/22.
Accession Number: 20220309–5060.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/30/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–1231–000.
Applicants: Alabama Power
Company, Georgia Power Company,
Mississippi Power Company.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Alabama Power Company submits tariff
filing per 35.13(a)(2)(iii: Dothan Solar
(Dothan Solar & Storage) LGIA Filing to
be effective 2/23/2022.
Filed Date: 3/9/22.
Accession Number: 20220309–5085.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/30/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–1232–000.
Applicants: Basin Electric Power
Cooperative.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Basin Electric Amendment to Balancing
Authority Services Agreement with
WAPA–RMR to be effective 5/9/2022.
Filed Date: 3/9/22.
Accession Number: 20220309–5090.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/30/22.
Docket Numbers: ER22–1234–000.
Applicants: Northern States Power
Company, a Wisconsin corporation,
Northern States Power Company, a
Minnesota corporation.
Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing:
Northern States Power Company, a
Wisconsin corporation submits tariff
filing per 35.13(a)(2)(iii: 2022
Interchange Agreement Annual Filing to
be effective 1/1/2022.
Filed Date: 3/9/22.
Accession Number: 20220309–5124.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 3/30/22.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/
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fercgensearch.asp) by querying the
docket number.
Any person desiring to intervene or
protest in any of the above proceedings
must file in accordance with Rules 211
and 214 of the Commission’s
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
time on the specified comment date.
Protests may be considered, but
intervention is necessary to become a
party to the proceeding.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
Dated: March 9, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–05423 Filed 3–14–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. EL22–32–000]
PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.; Notice of
Institution of Section 206 Proceeding
and Refund Effective Date
On February 28, 2022, the
Commission issued an order in Docket
No. EL22–32–000, pursuant to section
206 of the Federal Power Act (FPA), 16
U.S.C. 824e, instituting an investigation
into whether PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.’s existing Financial Transmission
Right (FTR) Credit Requirement is
unjust, unreasonable, unduly
discriminatory or preferential, or
otherwise unlawful. PJM
Interconnection, L.L.C., 178 FERC
¶ 61,146 (2021).
The refund effective date in Docket
No. EL22–32–000, established pursuant
to section 206(b) of the FPA, will be the
date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register.
Any interested person desiring to be
heard in Docket No. EL22–32–000 must
file a notice of intervention or motion to
intervene, as appropriate, with the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
in accordance with Rule 214 of the
Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure, 18 CFR 385.214 (2021),
within 21 days of the date of issuance
of the order.
In addition to publishing the full text
of this document in the Federal
Register, the Commission provides all
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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 FERC 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 ‘‘eFile’’ link at https://www.ferc.gov.
In lieu of electronic filing, you may
submit a paper copy. 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.
Dated: March 9, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–05424 Filed 3–14–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP21–113–000]
Alliance Pipeline, L.P.; Supplemental
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Three Rivers
Interconnection Project, Request for
Comments on Environmental Issues,
and Schedule for Environmental
Review
On February 10, 2022 the staff of the
Office of Energy Projects issued a Notice
of Intent to Prepare an Environmental
Impact Statement for the Proposed
Three Rivers Interconnection Project,
Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues, and Schedule for
Environmental Review. It has come to
our attention that intended recipients
may not have received the
aforementioned notice. As such, we are
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 50 / Tuesday, March 15, 2022 / Notices
issuing this Supplemental Notice of
Scoping Period.
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 Three Rivers
Interconnection Project (Project)
involving construction and operation of
facilities by Alliance Pipeline, L.P.
(Alliance) in Grundy County, Illinois.
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.
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 whenever it
considers the issuance of a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to
as ‘‘scoping.’’ By notice issued on
September 20, 2021 in Docket No.
CP21–113–000, the Commission opened
an initial scoping period that ran
through October 19, 2021. The EIS will
address the concerns raised since
issuance of the September 20, 2021
notice in this proceeding. Therefore, if
you submitted comments on this Project
to the Commission during one of the
previous scoping periods, you do not
need to file those comments again.
This notice announces the extension
of the scoping process the Commission
will use to gather input from the public
and interested agencies regarding the
project. 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. Eastern Time on April
8, 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.
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
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proposed facilities. The company would
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
easement agreement. You are not
required to enter into an agreement.
However, if the Commission approves
the Project, 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 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.
Alliance 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
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
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Commission. Be sure to reference the
project docket number (CP21–113–000)
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
Alliance proposes to construct and
operate about 2.9 miles of 20-inchdiameter natural gas transmission
pipeline and associated facilities. This
pipeline would connect Alliance’s
existing interstate natural gas
transmission system with the CPV Three
Rivers Energy Center; and as proposed,
would transport up to 210 million
standard cubic feet per day of natural
gas. According to Alliance, the project is
necessary to provide the CPV Three
Rivers Energy Center with access to a
natural gas supply source. The general
location of the Project facilities is shown
in appendix 1.1
Based on the environmental
information provided by Alliance,
construction of the proposed facilities
would disturb about 42.8 acres of land.
Following construction, Alliance would
maintain about 17.7 acres of land to
operate the Project facilities; the
remaining acreage would be restored.
Based on a review of Alliance’s
proposal and public comments received
during scoping, Commission staff has
identified several expected impacts that
deserve attention in the EIS. The
proposed pipeline would cross the
Illinois River via a horizontal
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.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 50 / Tuesday, March 15, 2022 / Notices
directional drill and would impact
wetlands and agricultural lands. The
Project would result in impacts on noise
and air quality; and would ultimately
result in the emission of greenhouse
gases. The proposed pipeline would
also be located in an area considered to
be an environmental justice community.
Lastly, the proposed pipeline would be
located in the vicinity of a facility
regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory
Commission, which could require the
completion of a safety analysis.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission
will discuss impacts that could occur as
a result of the construction 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;
• socioeconomics and environmental
justice;
• air quality and noise;
• climate change; 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/
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 currently under
consideration include the no-action
alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented, system alternatives, and
pipeline route 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 and
pipeline routes) 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
initiated section 106 consultation for the
Project in the notice issued on
September 20, 2021 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 This notice is a
continuation of section 106 consultation
for the Project. 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 April 12, 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—September 16, 2022
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision
Deadline 5—December 15, 2022
In the event that a safety analysis is
required, additional time may be
necessary to consider the results of that
analysis. 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. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
have agreed to participate as
cooperating agencies in the
development of the EIS. Other 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
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity .............................................................
Clean Water Act Section 404 ...........................................................................................
Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 ..................................................................................
Clean Water Act Section 408 ...........................................................................................
Endangered Species Act Consultation .............................................................................
2 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer
to the last page of this notice.
3 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
4 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s
regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define
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FERC.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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.
5 The Commission’s deadline applies to the
decisions of other federal agencies, and state
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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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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 50 / Tuesday, March 15, 2022 / Notices
14531
TABLE OF FEDERAL AND FEDERALLY DELEGATED PERMITS—Continued
Permit
Agency
Clean Water Act Section 401 ...........................................................................................
National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 ................................................................
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
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,
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Illinois Preservation Services.
please complete one of the following
steps:
(1) Send an email to
GasProjectAddressChange@ferc.gov
stating your request. You must include
the docket number CP21–113–000 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).
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.,
CP21–113–000). 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: March 9, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–05425 Filed 3–14–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS
COMMISSION
[FR ID 75169]
Open Commission Meeting
Wednesday, March 16, 2022
The Federal Communications
Commission will hold an Open Meeting
on the subjects listed below on
Wednesday, March 16, 2022, which is
scheduled to commence at 10:30 a.m.
Due to the current COVID–19 pandemic
and related agency telework and
headquarters access policies, this
meeting will be in an electronic format
and will be open to the public only on
the internet via live feed from the FCC’s
web page at www.fcc.gov/live and on the
FCC’s YouTube channel.
Item No.
Bureau
Subject
1 ...................
WIRELINE COMPETITION .......................
2 ...................
WIRELINE COMPETITION .......................
3 ...................
WIRELINE COMPETITION .......................
4 ...................
MEDIA .......................................................
5 ...................
INTERNATIONAL ......................................
Title: Preventing Digital Discrimination (GN Docket No. 22–69).
Summary: The Commission will consider a Notice of Inquiry that would commence
a proceeding to prevent and eliminate digital discrimination and ensure that all
people of the United States benefit from equal access to broadband internet access service, consistent with Congress’s direction in the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act.
Title: Resolving Pole Replacement Disputes (WC Docket No. 17–84).
Summary: The Commission will consider a Second Further Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking that would seek comment on questions concerning the allocation of
pole replacement costs between utilities and attachers and ways to expedite the
resolution of pole replacement disputes.
Title: Selecting Final Round of Applicants for Connected Care Pilot Program (WC
Docket No. 18–213).
Summary: The Commission will consider a Public Notice announcing the fourth and
final round of selections for the Commission’s Connected Care Pilot Program to
provide Universal Service Fund support for health care providers making connected care services available directly to patients.
Title: Restricted Adjudicatory Matter.
Summary: The Commission will consider a restricted adjudicatory matter.
Title: National Security Matter.
Summary: The Commission will consider a national security matter.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 15, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14528-14531]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05425]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP21-113-000]
Alliance Pipeline, L.P.; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare
an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Three Rivers
Interconnection Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues,
and Schedule for Environmental Review
On February 10, 2022 the staff of the Office of Energy Projects
issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement
for the Proposed Three Rivers Interconnection Project, Request for
Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental
Review. It has come to our attention that intended recipients may not
have received the aforementioned notice. As such, we are
[[Page 14529]]
issuing this Supplemental Notice of Scoping Period.
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 Three Rivers
Interconnection Project (Project) involving construction and operation
of facilities by Alliance Pipeline, L.P. (Alliance) in Grundy County,
Illinois. 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.
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
whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred
to as ``scoping.'' By notice issued on September 20, 2021 in Docket No.
CP21-113-000, the Commission opened an initial scoping period that ran
through October 19, 2021. The EIS will address the concerns raised
since issuance of the September 20, 2021 notice in this proceeding.
Therefore, if you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission
during one of the previous scoping periods, you do not need to file
those comments again.
This notice announces the extension of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the project. 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. Eastern Time on April 8, 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.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the Project, 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 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.
Alliance 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 (CP21-
113-000) 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
Alliance proposes to construct and operate about 2.9 miles of 20-
inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline and associated
facilities. This pipeline would connect Alliance's existing interstate
natural gas transmission system with the CPV Three Rivers Energy
Center; and as proposed, would transport up to 210 million standard
cubic feet per day of natural gas. According to Alliance, the project
is necessary to provide the CPV Three Rivers Energy Center with access
to a natural gas supply source. 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 Alliance,
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 42.8 acres
of land. Following construction, Alliance would maintain about 17.7
acres of land to operate the Project facilities; the remaining acreage
would be restored.
Based on a review of Alliance's proposal and public comments
received during scoping, Commission staff has identified several
expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS. The proposed
pipeline would cross the Illinois River via a horizontal
[[Page 14530]]
directional drill and would impact wetlands and agricultural lands. The
Project would result in impacts on noise and air quality; and would
ultimately result in the emission of greenhouse gases. The proposed
pipeline would also be located in an area considered to be an
environmental justice community. Lastly, the proposed pipeline would be
located in the vicinity of a facility regulated by the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, which could require the completion of a safety
analysis.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could
occur as a result of the construction 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;
socioeconomics and environmental justice;
air quality and noise;
climate change; 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/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 currently under consideration include
the no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not implemented,
system alternatives, and pipeline route 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 and
pipeline routes) 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 initiated section 106 consultation for
the Project in the notice issued on September 20, 2021 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\ This notice is a continuation of section 106
consultation for the Project. 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 April 12, 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--September 16, 2022
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \5\--December 15, 2022
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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.
In the event that a safety analysis is required, additional time
may be necessary to consider the results of that analysis. 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. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission have agreed to participate as cooperating
agencies in the development of the EIS. Other 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.
Clean Water Act Section 404............... U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10......... U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
Clean Water Act Section 408............... U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers.
Endangered Species Act Consultation....... U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service.
[[Page 14531]]
Clean Water Act Section 401............... Illinois Environmental
Protection Agency.
National Historic Preservation Act Section Illinois Preservation
106. Services.
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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 CP21-113-000 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).
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.,
CP21-113-000). 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: March 9, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-05425 Filed 3-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
