Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Appalachia to Market II and Entriken HP Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review, 52379-52381 [2022-18335]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 164 / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Notices
provides access to the texts of all formal
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Dated: August 19, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–18332 Filed 8–24–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP22–486–000]
khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES
Texas Eastern Transmission, LP;
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Appalachia to Market II
and Entriken HP Replacement Project
and 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 Appalachia to Market II
and Entriken HP Replacement Project
(Project) involving construction and
operation of facilities by Texas Eastern
Transmission, LP (Texas Eastern) in
Lebanon, Indiana, and Huntingdon
counties, Pennsylvania. 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
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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. Eastern Time on
September 19, 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.
Texas Eastern 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.
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52379
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
Commission. Be sure to reference the
project docket number (CP22–486–000)
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
Texas Eastern proposes to abandon
certain facilities and to construct,
install, own, operate, and maintain
facilities in Lebanon, Indiana, and
Huntingdon counties in Pennsylvania.
According to Texas Eastern, the Project
is designed to improve reliability on the
Texas Eastern system by replacing an
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52380
Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 164 / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Notices
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older gas-driven compressor unit with
an electric-motor driven (EMD)
compressor unit at each of two
compressor stations. The Project is
designed to provide up to 55,000
dekatherms per day of additional firm
natural gas transportation service from
the Appalachia supply basin in
Southwest Pennsylvania to existing
local distribution company customers in
New Jersey.
The general location of the Project
facilities is shown in appendix 1.1
The Project would consist of the
following facilities:
• the Line 28 Loop in Lebanon
County, Pennsylvania, which includes
installation of approximately 2 miles of
36-inch-diameter looping pipeline
beginning at the terminus of Texas
Eastern’s existing Line 28;
• a new receiver, valve, and crossover
site at the end of the Line 28 Loop to
replace the existing receiver at the end
of the existing Line 28;
• the Armagh Compressor Station
Modifications in Indiana County,
Pennsylvania, which includes
installation of a 27,000 horsepower
EMD compressor unit to replace an
existing 22,000 hp gas-driven turbine
compressor unit, construction of a new
electric substation to provide power to
the EMD compressor, and associated
facilities; and
• the Entriken Compressor Station
Modifications in Huntingdon County,
Pennsylvania, which includes the
installation of a 24,000 hp EMD
compressor unit to replace an existing
22,000 hp gas-driven turbine
compressor unit, construction of a new
electric substation to provide power to
the EMD compressor, and associated
facilities.
Based on the environmental
information provided by Texas Eastern,
construction of the proposed facilities
would disturb about 155 acres of land
for the aboveground facilities and the
pipeline. Following construction, Texas
would maintain about 79.0 acres for
operation of the Project facilities, and
the remaining acreage would be restored
and revert to former uses. The Line 28
Loop would be installed adjacent to
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.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:25 Aug 24, 2022
Jkt 256001
Texas Eastern’s existing lines within
and adjacent to Texas Eastern’s existing
right-of-way. The Armagh and Entriken
Compressor Station Modifications
would occur fully within the parcels
owned by Texas Eastern, primarily
within the fence line of existing
facilities.
Based on an initial review of Texas
Eastern’s proposal, Commission staff
have identified several expected
impacts that deserve attention in the
EIS, including visual impacts,
greenhouse gas emissions, and potential
impacts on special status species,
environmental justice communities, and
air quality.
• the no-action alternative, meaning
the Project is not implemented; and
• a system alternative evaluating
whether the Project purpose could be
met by use of an existing pipeline
system.
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.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
Consultation Under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act
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; 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.
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.
In accordance with the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation’s
implementing regulations for section
106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission is
using this notice to initiate consultation
with the applicable State Historic
Preservation Office(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.3 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 July 19, 2022, 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
February 2023.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the
final EIS—July 14, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision
Deadline 4—October 12, 2023
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. Alternatives currently under
consideration include:
2 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer
to the last page of this notice.
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3 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.
4 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,
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 164 / Thursday, August 25, 2022 / Notices
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
52381
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.
ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITS, APPROVALS, AND CONSULTATIONS
Agency
Permit or clearance required
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission .................................................
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Baltimore and Pittsburgh District(s).
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) Regional Permit Coordination Office.
U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Pennsylvania Field Office.
Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) ........................
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,
please complete one of the following
steps:
(1) Send an email to
GasProjectAddressChange@ferc.gov
stating your request. You must include
permits, and other approvals necessary for
proposed projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per
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16:25 Aug 24, 2022
Jkt 256001
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity under Section 7(c) of
the Natural Gas Act.
Clean Water Act Section 404, Pennsylvania State Programmatic General Permit.
Clean Water Act Section 401, Water Quality Certification.
Section 7 Endangered Species Act Consultation; Migratory Bird Treaty
Act Consultation.
National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106 Consultation.
the docket number CP22–486–000 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.,
CP22–486). 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.
18 CFR 157.22(a), the Commission’s deadline for
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Dated: August 19, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–18335 Filed 8–24–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings
Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Filings Instituting Proceedings
Docket Numbers: RP22–1134–000.
Applicants: Florida Gas Transmission
Company, LLC.
Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Flex
Fuel Filing on 8–19–22 to be effective 9/
1/2022.
Filed Date: 8/19/22.
Accession Number: 20220819–5051.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 8/31/22.
Docket Numbers: RP22–1135–000.
Applicants: Stingray Pipeline
Company, L.L.C.
Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing:
Updates Related to Quality to be
effective 9/19/2022.
Filed Date: 8/19/22.
Accession Number: 20220819–5054.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 8/31/22.
Docket Numbers: RP22–1136–000.
Applicants: Cadeville Gas Storage
LLC.
Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing:
Cadeville Gas Storage LLC Revisions to
other agency’s decisions applies unless a schedule
is otherwise established by federal law.
E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 164 (Thursday, August 25, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52379-52381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18335]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-486-000]
Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Appalachia to Market II
and Entriken HP Replacement Project and 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 Appalachia to Market II
and Entriken HP Replacement Project (Project) involving construction
and operation of facilities by Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (Texas
Eastern) in Lebanon, Indiana, and Huntingdon counties, Pennsylvania.
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. Eastern Time on September 19, 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.
Texas Eastern 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-
486-000) 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
Texas Eastern proposes to abandon certain facilities and to
construct, install, own, operate, and maintain facilities in Lebanon,
Indiana, and Huntingdon counties in Pennsylvania. According to Texas
Eastern, the Project is designed to improve reliability on the Texas
Eastern system by replacing an
[[Page 52380]]
older gas-driven compressor unit with an electric-motor driven (EMD)
compressor unit at each of two compressor stations. The Project is
designed to provide up to 55,000 dekatherms per day of additional firm
natural gas transportation service from the Appalachia supply basin in
Southwest Pennsylvania to existing local distribution company customers
in New Jersey.
The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Project would consist of the following facilities:
the Line 28 Loop in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, which
includes installation of approximately 2 miles of 36-inch-diameter
looping pipeline beginning at the terminus of Texas Eastern's existing
Line 28;
a new receiver, valve, and crossover site at the end of
the Line 28 Loop to replace the existing receiver at the end of the
existing Line 28;
the Armagh Compressor Station Modifications in Indiana
County, Pennsylvania, which includes installation of a 27,000
horsepower EMD compressor unit to replace an existing 22,000 hp gas-
driven turbine compressor unit, construction of a new electric
substation to provide power to the EMD compressor, and associated
facilities; and
the Entriken Compressor Station Modifications in
Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, which includes the installation of a
24,000 hp EMD compressor unit to replace an existing 22,000 hp gas-
driven turbine compressor unit, construction of a new electric
substation to provide power to the EMD compressor, and associated
facilities.
Based on the environmental information provided by Texas Eastern,
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 155 acres
of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Following
construction, Texas would maintain about 79.0 acres for operation of
the Project facilities, and the remaining acreage would be restored and
revert to former uses. The Line 28 Loop would be installed adjacent to
Texas Eastern's existing lines within and adjacent to Texas Eastern's
existing right-of-way. The Armagh and Entriken Compressor Station
Modifications would occur fully within the parcels owned by Texas
Eastern, primarily within the fence line of existing facilities.
Based on an initial review of Texas Eastern's proposal, Commission
staff have identified several expected impacts that deserve attention
in the EIS, including visual impacts, greenhouse gas emissions, and
potential impacts on special status species, environmental justice
communities, and air quality.
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; 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.
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. Alternatives currently under consideration include:
the no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented; and
a system alternative evaluating whether the Project
purpose could be met by use of an existing pipeline system.
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 is using this notice to initiate
consultation 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.\3\ 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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\3\ 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 July 19, 2022, 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
February 2023.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--July 14, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \4\--October 12, 2023
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\4\ 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.
[[Page 52381]]
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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.
Environmental Permits, Approvals, and Consultations
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Agency Permit or clearance required
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission... Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity
under Section 7(c) of the
Natural Gas Act.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Clean Water Act Section 404,
Baltimore and Pittsburgh District(s). Pennsylvania State
Programmatic General Permit.
Pennsylvania Department of Clean Water Act Section 401,
Environmental Protection (PADEP) Water Quality Certification.
Regional Permit Coordination Office.
U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Section 7 Endangered Species
Wildlife Service (USFWS), Pennsylvania Act Consultation; Migratory
Field Office. Bird Treaty Act Consultation.
Pennsylvania State Historic National Historic Preservation
Preservation Office (SHPO). Act, Section 106 Consultation.
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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 CP22-486-000 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.,
CP22-486). 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: August 19, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-18335 Filed 8-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P