Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for The Proposed Virginia Reliability Project and Commonwealth Energy Connector Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review, 65759-65762 [2022-23664]
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2022 / Notices
the methodology and assumptions used;
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility
and clarity of the information collection;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of
the collection of information on those
who are to respond, including the use
of automated collection techniques or
other forms of information technology.
Dated: October 25, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–23662 Filed 10–31–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP22–503–000, Docket No.
CP22–502–000]
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC;
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for The Proposed Virginia
Reliability Project and Commonwealth
Energy Connector 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 Virginia Reliability
Project and Commonwealth Energy
Connector Project involving
construction and operation of facilities
by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC
(Columbia) and Transcontinental Gas
Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco),
respectively. Columbia’s project would
involve construction and operation of
certain natural gas pipeline facilities in
Greensville, Prince George, Sussex,
Surry, Southampton, and Isle of Wight
Counties, Virginia and in the cities of
Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia.
Transco’s project would also involve
construction and operation of natural
gas pipeline facilities in Mecklenburg,
Brunswick, and Greensville Counties,
Virginia. The Commission will use this
EIS in its decision-making process to
determine whether the projects are 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
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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
February 22, 2022, in Docket Nos.
PF22–3–000 and PF22–4–000, the
Commission opened a scoping period
during Columbia’s and Transco’s
planning processes for the projects and
prior to filing formal applications with
the Commission, a process referred to as
‘‘pre-filing.’’ By supplemental notice
issued on March 7, 2022, the
Commission extended the scoping
period due to inadvertent mailing
issues. Columbia and Transco have now
filed respective applications with the
Commission, and staff intends to
prepare an EIS that will address the
concerns raised during the pre-filing
scoping process and comments received
in response to 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
November 25, 2022. Comments may be
submitted in written form. Further
details on how to submit comments are
provided in the Public Participation
section of this notice.
As mentioned above, during the prefiling process, the Commission opened
a scoping period which expired on
April 6, 2022; however, Commission
staff continued to accept comments
during the entire pre-filing process. Staff
also held two virtual scoping sessions to
take oral scoping comments on March
15 and 30, 2022. All substantive written
and oral comments provided during prefiling will be addressed in the EIS.
Therefore, if you submitted comments
on these projects to the Commission
during the pre-filing process in Docket
Nos. PF22–3–000 and PF22–4–000 you
do not need to file those comments
again. Likewise, if you submitted
comments in response to the Notice of
Applications issued by the Commission
on September 8, 2022, you do not need
to file those comments again.
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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65759
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.
Columbia and Transco 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
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2022 / Notices
(3) You can file a paper copy of your
comments by mailing them to the
Commission. Be sure to reference the
project docket number (CP22–503–000
for Virginia Reliability Project or CP22–
502–000 for Commonwealth Energy
Connector Project) 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. If using this
service, you will need to subscribe for
each docket separately to receive
notifications for both projects.
Summary of the Proposed Projects, the
Projects Purpose and Need, and
Expected Impacts
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Virginia Reliability Project
Columbia proposes to replace and
expand existing facilities associated
with its VM–107 and VM–108 pipelines
in southeast Virginia. The Virginia
Reliability Project would increase the
capability of Columbia’s existing
pipeline facilities to provide
incremental firm transportation service
of 100,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d),
while increasing the reliability of
Columbia’s system by replacing 1950s
vintage pipelines. According to
Columbia, its project would meet the
increasing market demand of
residential, commercial, and industrial
consumers in southeast Virginia.
The Virginia Reliability Project would
consist of the following:
• replacement of 49.2 miles of
existing, 1950s vintage 12-inch-diameter
VM–107 and VM–108 pipelines with
24-inch-diameter pipeline mostly
within Columbia’s existing right-of-way,
in Sussex, Surry, Southampton, and Isle
of Wight Counties, as well as the cities
of Suffolk and Chesapeake;
• installation of one new 5,500horsepower (HP) dual-drive compressor
unit at the existing Emporia Compressor
Station in Greensville County;
• a facility upgrade involving
additional gas cooling and an increase
of 2,700 HP at the existing Petersburg
Compressor Station in Prince George
County;
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• modification of the Emporia Point
of Receipt in Greensville County;
Regulator Station 7423 in Prince George
County; and the MS–831010 Point of
Delivery in the City of Chesapeake; and
• eight mainline valve replacements,
five new pig launcher/receiver
installations,1 and other minor
appurtenant facilities.
The general location of the Virginia
Reliability Project facilities is shown in
appendix 1.2
Based on the environmental
information provided by Columbia,
construction of the proposed facilities
would disturb about 802.6 acres of land.
Following construction, Columbia
would maintain about 307.2 acres for
operation of the project facilities; the
remaining acreage would be restored
and revert to former uses. About 92
percent of the replacement pipeline
routes would parallel Columbia’s
existing right-of-way and/or other
existing pipeline, utility, railroad, or
road rights-of-way.
Based on an initial review of
Columbia’s proposal, public comments
received during the pre-filing process,
and public comments received on the
Notice of Application, Commission staff
have identified several expected
impacts that deserve attention in the
EIS. The Virginia Reliability Project
would cross 131 waterbodies, 130.2
acres of wetland, several conservation
sites, and about 0.5 mile of the Great
Dismal Swamp National Wildlife
Refuge. Three federally listed species
(northern long-eared bat, red-cockaded
woodpecker, and eastern black rail) may
be affected by the project. Five statelisted species have potential to occur in
the project area, and the potential for
impacts on these species is being
assessed. Environmental justice
populations are present in the project
area and may be affected by the project.
The project would cross about 1.5 miles
of the Sunray Agricultural Historic
District, along Columbia’s existing
permanent right-of-way.
1 A ‘‘pig’’ is a tool that the pipeline company
inserts into and pushes through the pipeline for
cleaning the pipeline, conducting internal
inspections, or other purposes.
2 The appendices referenced in this notice will
not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the
appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov
using the link called ‘‘eLibrary.’’ For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this
notice. At this time, the Commission has suspended
access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room
due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus
Disease (COVID–19), issued by the President on
March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact FERC at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll free, (886)
208–3676 or TTY (202) 502–8659.
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Commonwealth Energy Connector
Project
Transco proposes to expand its
existing natural gas transmission system
in southeast Virginia to provide 105,000
Dth/d of incremental firm transportation
capacity from its Compressor Station
165 in Pittsylvania County to its existing
Emporia Metering and Regulation
Station in Greensville County on its
existing South Virginia Lateral B-Line
Pipeline. According to Transco, the
project would provide firm, year-round
access to incremental natural gas
supply, increase the overall reliability
and diversification of energy supply for
its customer, and add natural gas
infrastructure to meet growing demand
in the Mid-Atlantic area.
The Commonwealth Energy
Connector Project would consist of the
following:
• construction of a 6.35-mile-long, 24inch-diameter pipeline loop 3 (referred
to as the Commonwealth Loop),
including valve and pig launcher/
receiver facilities, in Brunswick and
Greensville Counties;
• addition of a 33,000–HP electric
motor-drive compressor unit at the
existing Compressor Station 168 in
Mecklenburg County; and
• modifications to the existing
Emporia Metering and Regulation
Station in Greensville County.
The general location of the
Commonwealth Energy Connector
Project facilities is also shown in
appendix 1.
Based on the environmental
information provided by Transco,
construction of the proposed facilities
would disturb about 161.3 acres of land.
Following construction, Transco would
maintain about 1.8 acres (in addition to
the existing permanent right-of-way) for
operation of the project facilities. The
remaining acreage would be restored
and revert to former uses. All of the
proposed pipeline route parallels
Transco’s existing pipeline right-of-way.
Based on an initial review of
Transco’s proposal, public comments
received during the pre-filing process,
and public comments received on the
Notice of Application, Commission staff
have identified several expected
impacts that deserve attention in the
EIS. Commission staff have identified
several expected impacts that deserve
attention in the EIS. The project would
cross 14 waterbodies and 2.5 acres of
wetlands. One federally listed species
(northern long-eared bat) potentially
occurs within the project area. Fifteen
state-protected species potentially occur
3 A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed
parallel to an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2022 / Notices
in the project area; however, these
species are not expected to be affected
by the project. Environmental justice
populations are present in the project
area and may be affected by the project.
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 projects
under the relevant general resource
areas:
• geology and soils;
• water resources and wetlands;
• vegetation and wildlife;
• threatened and endangered species;
• cultural resources;
• socioeconomics and environmental
justice;
• land use;
• 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. The U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) are cooperating
agencies in the preparation of the EIS.4
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. The draft and
final EIS will be available in electronic
format in the public record through
eLibrary 5 and the Commission’s natural
gas environmental documents web page
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/
natural-gas/environment/
environmental-documents). If
65761
eSubscribed, you will receive instant
email notification when the
environmental document is issued.
findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
Alternatives Under Consideration
The EIS will evaluate reasonable
alternatives that are technically and
economically feasible and meet the
purpose and need for the proposed
actions.6 Alternatives currently under
consideration include:
• the no-action alternative, meaning
the projects are not implemented;
• Virginia Reliability Project pipeline
segment routes that avoid wetlands,
waterbodies, the Sunray Agricultural
Historic District, or the Great Dismal
Swamp National Wildlife Refuge; and
• options to reduce the length of the
Commonwealth Energy Connector
Project pipeline.
With this notice, the Commission
requests specific comments regarding
any additional potential alternatives to
the proposed actions or segments of the
proposed actions. Please focus your
comments on reasonable alternatives
(including alternative facility sites and
pipeline routes) that meet the project(s)
objectives, are technically and
economically feasible, and avoid or
lessen environmental impact.
Schedule for Environmental Review
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
projects in the notice issued on
February 22, 2022, with the applicable
State Historic Preservation Office, and
other government agencies, interested
Indian tribes, and the public to solicit
their views and concerns regarding the
projects’ potential effects on historic
properties.7 This notice is a
continuation of section 106 consultation
for the Project. The EIS will document
On September 8, 2022, the
Commission issued its Notice of
Applications for the projects. 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 requests for a federal
authorization within 90 days of the date
of issuance of the Commission staff’s
final EIS for the projects. This notice
identifies the Commission staff’s
planned schedule for completion of the
final EIS for the projects, which is based
on an issuance of the draft EIS in April
2023.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the
Final EIS—September 15, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision
Deadline 8—December 16, 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 EIS progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated
permits and authorizations for the
projects 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 these projects. 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.
Agency
Permit
Virginia Reliability Project
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FERC ........................................................................................................
USACE Norfolk District .............................................................................
4 The Council on Environmental Quality
regulations addressing cooperating agency
responsibilities are at Title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), Section 1501.8. (2021)
5 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer
to the last page of this notice.
6 40 CFR 1508.1(z)
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Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit.
Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Permit.
Section 408 Permit.
7 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.
8 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. 210 / Tuesday, November 1, 2022 / Notices
Agency
Permit
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality—Water Division ..............
Issuance of a Water Quality Certification under Section 401 of the
Clean Water Act =.
Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
Authorization to Construction and Operate the Project.
Consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act.
FWS Virginia Ecological Field Services Office ........................................
FWS Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge ..............................
Virginia Department of Historic Resources ..............................................
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project
FERC ........................................................................................................
USACE Norfolk District .............................................................................
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality—Water Division ..............
FWS Virginia Ecological Field Services Office ........................................
Virginia Department of Historic Resources ..............................................
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Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for the projects 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 projects 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
projects. State and local government
representatives should notify their
constituents of these proposed projects
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 CP22–502–000 for
Commonwealth Energy Connector
Project or CP22–503–000 for Virginia
Reliability Project 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
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17:11 Oct 31, 2022
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Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.
Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit.
Issuance of a Water Quality Certification under Section 401 of the
Clean Water Act =.
Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
Consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act.
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
projects 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.,
CP22–502 or CP22–503). 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: October 25, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022–23664 Filed 10–31–22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings #1
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric corporate
filings:
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Docket Numbers: EC23–12–000.
Applicants: Uniper Global
Commodities North America LLC.
Description: Application for
Authorization Under Section 203 of the
Federal Power Act of Uniper Global
Commodities North America, LLC.
Filed Date: 10/25/22.
Accession Number: 20221025–5198.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 11/15/22.
Docket Numbers: EC23–13–000.
Applicants: AEP Oklahoma
Transmission Company, Inc., Caddo
Wind, LLC.
Description: Joint Application for
Authorization Under Section 203 of the
Federal Power Act of Caddo Wind, LLC,
et al.
Filed Date: 10/26/22.
Accession Number: 20221026–5189.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 11/16/22.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following exempt
wholesale generator filings:
Docket Numbers: EG23–14–000.
Applicants: Daggett Solar Power 1
LLC.
Description: Daggett Solar Power 1
LLC submits Notice of Self-Certification
of Exempt Wholesale Generator Status.
Filed Date: 10/26/22.
Accession Number: 20221026–5081.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 11/16/22.
Docket Numbers: EG23–15–000.
Applicants: Daggett Solar Power 2
LLC.
Description: Daggett Solar Power 2
LLC submits Notice of Self-Certification
of Exempt Wholesale Generator Status.
Filed Date: 10/26/22.
Accession Number: 20221026–5105.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 11/16/22.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER16–2483–001.
Applicants: Mountain View Power
Partners, LLC.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 210 (Tuesday, November 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65759-65762]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23664]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-503-000, Docket No. CP22-502-000]
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for The Proposed Virginia Reliability Project and
Commonwealth Energy Connector 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 Virginia Reliability
Project and Commonwealth Energy Connector Project involving
construction and operation of facilities by Columbia Gas Transmission,
LLC (Columbia) and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC
(Transco), respectively. Columbia's project would involve construction
and operation of certain natural gas pipeline facilities in
Greensville, Prince George, Sussex, Surry, Southampton, and Isle of
Wight Counties, Virginia and in the cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake,
Virginia. Transco's project would also involve construction and
operation of natural gas pipeline facilities in Mecklenburg, Brunswick,
and Greensville Counties, Virginia. The Commission will use this EIS in
its decision-making process to determine whether the projects are 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 February 22, 2022, in Docket
Nos. PF22-3-000 and PF22-4-000, the Commission opened a scoping period
during Columbia's and Transco's planning processes for the projects and
prior to filing formal applications with the Commission, a process
referred to as ``pre-filing.'' By supplemental notice issued on March
7, 2022, the Commission extended the scoping period due to inadvertent
mailing issues. Columbia and Transco have now filed respective
applications with the Commission, and staff intends to prepare an EIS
that will address the concerns raised during the pre-filing scoping
process and comments received in response to 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 November 25, 2022. Comments may be submitted
in written form. Further details on how to submit comments are provided
in the Public Participation section of this notice.
As mentioned above, during the pre-filing process, the Commission
opened a scoping period which expired on April 6, 2022; however,
Commission staff continued to accept comments during the entire pre-
filing process. Staff also held two virtual scoping sessions to take
oral scoping comments on March 15 and 30, 2022. All substantive written
and oral comments provided during pre-filing will be addressed in the
EIS. Therefore, if you submitted comments on these projects to the
Commission during the pre-filing process in Docket Nos. PF22-3-000 and
PF22-4-000 you do not need to file those comments again. Likewise, if
you submitted comments in response to the Notice of Applications issued
by the Commission on September 8, 2022, you do not need to file those
comments again.
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.
Columbia and Transco 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
[[Page 65760]]
(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-
503-000 for Virginia Reliability Project or CP22-502-000 for
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project) 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. If using this service, you will need to subscribe
for each docket separately to receive notifications for both projects.
Summary of the Proposed Projects, the Projects Purpose and Need, and
Expected Impacts
Virginia Reliability Project
Columbia proposes to replace and expand existing facilities
associated with its VM-107 and VM-108 pipelines in southeast Virginia.
The Virginia Reliability Project would increase the capability of
Columbia's existing pipeline facilities to provide incremental firm
transportation service of 100,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d), while
increasing the reliability of Columbia's system by replacing 1950s
vintage pipelines. According to Columbia, its project would meet the
increasing market demand of residential, commercial, and industrial
consumers in southeast Virginia.
The Virginia Reliability Project would consist of the following:
replacement of 49.2 miles of existing, 1950s vintage 12-
inch-diameter VM-107 and VM-108 pipelines with 24-inch-diameter
pipeline mostly within Columbia's existing right-of-way, in Sussex,
Surry, Southampton, and Isle of Wight Counties, as well as the cities
of Suffolk and Chesapeake;
installation of one new 5,500-horsepower (HP) dual-drive
compressor unit at the existing Emporia Compressor Station in
Greensville County;
a facility upgrade involving additional gas cooling and an
increase of 2,700 HP at the existing Petersburg Compressor Station in
Prince George County;
modification of the Emporia Point of Receipt in
Greensville County; Regulator Station 7423 in Prince George County; and
the MS-831010 Point of Delivery in the City of Chesapeake; and
eight mainline valve replacements, five new pig launcher/
receiver installations,\1\ and other minor appurtenant facilities.
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\1\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline,
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
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The general location of the Virginia Reliability Project facilities
is shown in appendix 1.\2\
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\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary.'' For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Based on the environmental information provided by Columbia,
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 802.6 acres
of land. Following construction, Columbia would maintain about 307.2
acres for operation of the project facilities; the remaining acreage
would be restored and revert to former uses. About 92 percent of the
replacement pipeline routes would parallel Columbia's existing right-
of-way and/or other existing pipeline, utility, railroad, or road
rights-of-way.
Based on an initial review of Columbia's proposal, public comments
received during the pre-filing process, and public comments received on
the Notice of Application, Commission staff have identified several
expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS. The Virginia
Reliability Project would cross 131 waterbodies, 130.2 acres of
wetland, several conservation sites, and about 0.5 mile of the Great
Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Three federally listed species
(northern long-eared bat, red-cockaded woodpecker, and eastern black
rail) may be affected by the project. Five state-listed species have
potential to occur in the project area, and the potential for impacts
on these species is being assessed. Environmental justice populations
are present in the project area and may be affected by the project. The
project would cross about 1.5 miles of the Sunray Agricultural Historic
District, along Columbia's existing permanent right-of-way.
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project
Transco proposes to expand its existing natural gas transmission
system in southeast Virginia to provide 105,000 Dth/d of incremental
firm transportation capacity from its Compressor Station 165 in
Pittsylvania County to its existing Emporia Metering and Regulation
Station in Greensville County on its existing South Virginia Lateral B-
Line Pipeline. According to Transco, the project would provide firm,
year-round access to incremental natural gas supply, increase the
overall reliability and diversification of energy supply for its
customer, and add natural gas infrastructure to meet growing demand in
the Mid-Atlantic area.
The Commonwealth Energy Connector Project would consist of the
following:
construction of a 6.35-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter
pipeline loop \3\ (referred to as the Commonwealth Loop), including
valve and pig launcher/receiver facilities, in Brunswick and
Greensville Counties;
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\3\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
addition of a 33,000-HP electric motor-drive compressor
unit at the existing Compressor Station 168 in Mecklenburg County; and
modifications to the existing Emporia Metering and
Regulation Station in Greensville County.
The general location of the Commonwealth Energy Connector Project
facilities is also shown in appendix 1.
Based on the environmental information provided by Transco,
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 161.3 acres
of land. Following construction, Transco would maintain about 1.8 acres
(in addition to the existing permanent right-of-way) for operation of
the project facilities. The remaining acreage would be restored and
revert to former uses. All of the proposed pipeline route parallels
Transco's existing pipeline right-of-way.
Based on an initial review of Transco's proposal, public comments
received during the pre-filing process, and public comments received on
the Notice of Application, Commission staff have identified several
expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS. Commission staff
have identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the
EIS. The project would cross 14 waterbodies and 2.5 acres of wetlands.
One federally listed species (northern long-eared bat) potentially
occurs within the project area. Fifteen state-protected species
potentially occur
[[Page 65761]]
in the project area; however, these species are not expected to be
affected by the project. Environmental justice populations are present
in the project area and may be affected by the project.
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
projects under the relevant general resource areas:
geology and soils;
water resources and wetlands;
vegetation and wildlife;
threatened and endangered species;
cultural resources;
socioeconomics and environmental justice;
land use;
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. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (FWS) are cooperating agencies in the preparation of
the EIS.\4\ 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. The draft and final
EIS will be available in electronic format in the public record through
eLibrary \5\ 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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\4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), Section 1501.8. (2021)
\5\ 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 actions.\6\ Alternatives currently under consideration
include:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z)
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the no-action alternative, meaning the projects are not
implemented;
Virginia Reliability Project pipeline segment routes that
avoid wetlands, waterbodies, the Sunray Agricultural Historic District,
or the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge; and
options to reduce the length of the Commonwealth Energy
Connector Project pipeline.
With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed actions
or segments of the proposed actions. Please focus your comments on
reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites and
pipeline routes) that meet the project(s) 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 projects in the notice issued on February 22, 2022, with the
applicable State Historic Preservation Office, and other government
agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their
views and concerns regarding the projects' potential effects on
historic properties.\7\ This notice is a continuation of section 106
consultation for the Project. The EIS will document findings on the
impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
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\7\ 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 September 8, 2022, the Commission issued its Notice of
Applications for the projects. 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
requests for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of
issuance of the Commission staff's final EIS for the projects. This
notice identifies the Commission staff's planned schedule for
completion of the final EIS for the projects, which is based on an
issuance of the draft EIS in April 2023.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the Final EIS--September 15, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \8\--December 16, 2023
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\8\ 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.
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 EIS progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations
for the projects 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 these projects. 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency Permit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Virginia Reliability Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FERC................................... Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity.
USACE Norfolk District................. Clean Water Act Section 404
Permit.
Rivers and Harbors Act Section
10 Permit.
Section 408 Permit.
[[Page 65762]]
Virginia Department of Environmental Issuance of a Water Quality
Quality--Water Division. Certification under Section
401 of the Clean Water Act =.
FWS Virginia Ecological Field Services Consultation under Section 7 of
Office. the Endangered Species Act.
FWS Great Dismal Swamp National Authorization to Construction
Wildlife Refuge. and Operate the Project.
Virginia Department of Historic Consultation under Section 106
Resources. of the National Historic
Preservation Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FERC................................... Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity.
USACE Norfolk District................. Clean Water Act Section 404
Permit.
Virginia Department of Environmental Issuance of a Water Quality
Quality--Water Division. Certification under Section
401 of the Clean Water Act =.
FWS Virginia Ecological Field Services Consultation under Section 7 of
Office. the Endangered Species Act.
Virginia Department of Historic Consultation under Section 106
Resources. of the National Historic
Preservation Act.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the projects 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 projects 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 projects. State and local government representatives
should notify their constituents of these proposed projects 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 CP22-502-000 for
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project or CP22-503-000 for Virginia
Reliability Project 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 projects 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.,
CP22-502 or CP22-503). 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: October 25, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-23664 Filed 10-31-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
