Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Virginia Electrification Project, 78668-78669 [2022-27856]

Download as PDF 78668 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 245 / Thursday, December 22, 2022 / Notices lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) entitled ‘‘Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis, Manufacturing, and Recycling,’’ in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The anticipated FOA will support the broader government-wide approach to accelerate progress in clean hydrogen technologies and maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition as the nation works to curb the climate crisis, empower workers, and advance environmental justice. DATES: The NOI was issued on December 16, 2022. ADDRESSES: The NOI was issued via the EERE Exchange 1 system available at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/(see NOI DE–FOA–0002921). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions may be addressed to HFTOBILFOA@ee.doe.gov or to Shawna McQueen at (202) 586–8033. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Clean hydrogen technologies, particularly for hard-to-decarbonize sectors of the economy, will directly support Biden administration goals to put the United States on a path to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050 to benefit all Americans.2 Section 40314 of the BIL 3 authorizes DOE appropriations of $1.5 billion over five years ($300 million per year for Fiscal Years 2022 to 2026) to support clean hydrogen manufacturing, recycling, and electrolysis. Specifically, Section 40314 amends Title VIII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to include a new ‘‘Section 815—Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling’’ ($500 million) and a new ‘‘Section 816—Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program’’ ($1 billion). DOE intends to issue the ‘‘Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis, Manufacturing, and Recycling FOA’’ to address these provisions of the BIL and to support the Hydrogen Energy 1 The DOE Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) issues funding opportunities and related announcements through the EERE Funding Opportunity Exchange system. 2 U.S. Department of State and the Executive Office of the President, The Long-Term Strategy of the United States: Pathways to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2050, November 2021, https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/ uploads/2021/10/US-Long-Term-Strategy.pdf. 3 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Public Law 117–58 (November 15, 2021), Section 40314, (42 U.S.C. 16161c), https://www.congress.gov/bill/ 117th-congress/house-bill/3684. This NOI uses the more common name ‘‘Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).’’ VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:01 Dec 21, 2022 Jkt 259001 Earthshot,4 a DOE initiative to reduce the cost of clean hydrogen by 80 percent to $1 per 1 kilogram in 1 decade (‘‘1 1 1’’). The anticipated FOA will catalyze both innovation and manufacturing at scale, stimulating private sector investments, spurring development across the hydrogen supply chain, and dramatically reducing the cost of clean hydrogen. Efforts will also address support robust supply chains including for any needed critical materials and design for environmental and climate stewardship, efficiency, durability, and recyclability to ensure a strategic and sustainable build out of the clean hydrogen industry. Specifically, the FOA will support the following objectives: • Reduce the cost of clean hydrogen produced from electrolyzers to less than $2 per kilogram by 2026 5 • Advance new manufacturing technologies and techniques for clean hydrogen production and use equipment, specifically for electrolyzer and fuel cell technologies, and • Research, develop, and demonstrate innovative and practical approaches to increase the reuse and recycling of clean hydrogen technologies. It is anticipated that the FOA will include the following technical topics: Area of Interest 1: Clean Hydrogen Electrolysis Program • Topic Area 1: Low Cost, High Throughput Electrolyzer Manufacturing • Topic Area 2: Electrolyzer Component and Supply Chain RD&D • Topic Area 3: Advanced Electrolyzer Technology and Component Development Area of Interest 2: Clean Hydrogen Manufacturing and Recycling • Topic Area 4: Fuel Cell Membrane Electrode Assembly and Stack Manufacturing and Automation • Topic Area 5: Fuel Cell Component and Supply Chain Development • Topic Area 6: Recovery and Recycling Consortium More information on the anticipated technical topics, including anticipated funding levels, can be found in the NOI. The NOI [DE–FOA–0002921] is available at https://eereexchange.energy.gov/. Signing Authority: This document of the Department of Energy was signed on December 14, 2022 by Francisco 4 U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program, ‘‘Hydrogen Shot,’’ U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, DC, 2021. https://www.energy.gov/ eere/fuelcells/hydrogen-shot. 5 See 42 U.S.C. 16161d(c)(1). PO 00000 Frm 00038 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Alejandro Moreno, Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of this document upon publication in the Federal Register. Signed in Washington, DC, on December 19, 2022. Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. 2022–27838 Filed 12–21–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP21–498–000] Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Virginia Electrification Project The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Virginia Electrification Project (Project), proposed by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in the above-referenced docket. Columbia requests authorization to construct and operate natural gas facilities in Virginia. The Project is designed to provide 35,000 dekatherms per day of incremental mainline capacity on Columbia’s pipeline system. The Project would address a request from Columbia Gas of Virginia, an unaffiliated local distribution company, for firm transportation service to meet growing energy demand in the southeast Virginia market area off of Columbia’s existing VM–107, VM–108, and VM–109 pipelines. This final EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the Project in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Columbia’s Project facilities include: one zero emission electric motor E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 87, No. 245 / Thursday, December 22, 2022 / Notices compressor unit at the Boswells Tavern Compressor Station located in Louisa County; facility modifications to the Boswells Tavern point of receipt located in Louisa County to allow for increased capacity; replacement of all five existing gas-powered compressor units at the Goochland Compressor Station, located in Goochland County, with new units that will run exclusively on electric motors, but will have the ability to run on gas in order to ensure reliability; and change the status of an existing compressor unit from backup mode to active mode and increase the site-rated station horsepower to 5,500 horsepower at the Petersburg Compressor Station located in Prince George County. The FERC staff concludes that approval of the proposed Project, with the mitigation measures recommended in the EIS, would result in some adverse environmental impacts; however, with the exception of climate change impacts, those impacts would not be significant. The EIS is not characterizing the Project’s greenhouse gas emissions as significant or insignificant because the Commission is conducting a generic proceeding to determine whether and how the Commission will conduct significance determinations going forward.1 The EIS also concludes that no system, route, or other alternative would meet the Project objective while providing a significant environmental advantage over the Project as proposed. The Commission mailed a copy of the Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Virginia Electrification Project to federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; local libraries; newspapers; elected officials; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties. The final EIS is only available in electronic format. It may be viewed and downloaded from the FERC’s website (www.ferc.gov), on the natural gas environmental documents page (https://www.ferc.gov/industriesdata/natural-gas/environment/ environmental-documents). In addition, the final EIS may be accessed by using the eLibrary link on the FERC’s website. Click on the eLibrary link (https:// elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search) select ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket number in the ‘‘Docket Number’’ field (i.e., CP21–498–000). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov 1 Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Natural Gas Infrastructure Project Reviews, 178 FERC ¶ 61,108 (2022); 178 FERC ¶ 61,197 (2022). VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:01 Dec 21, 2022 Jkt 259001 or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The final EIS is not a decision document. It presents Commission staff’s independent analysis of the environmental issues for the Commission to consider when addressing the merits of all issues in this proceeding. Additional information about the Project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. In addition, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription. Dated: December 16, 2022. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2022–27856 Filed 12–21–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER23–644–000] Diversion Wind Energy LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204 Authorization This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding of Diversion Wind Energy LLC’s application for market-based rate authority, with an accompanying rate tariff, noting that such application includes a request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability. Any person desiring to intervene or to protest should file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214). Anyone filing a motion to PO 00000 Frm 00039 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 78669 intervene or protest must serve a copy of that document on the Applicant. Notice is hereby given that the deadline for filing protests with regard to the applicant’s request for blanket authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of future issuances of securities and assumptions of liability, is January 5, 2023. The Commission encourages electronic submission of protests and interventions in lieu of paper, using the FERC Online links at https:// www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic service, persons with internet access who will eFile a document and/or be listed as a contact for an intervenor must create and validate an eRegistration account using the eRegistration link. Select the eFiling link to log on and submit the intervention or protests. Persons unable to file electronically may mail similar pleadings to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand delivered submissions in docketed proceedings should be delivered to Health and Human Services, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. In addition to publishing the full text of this document in the Federal Register, the Commission provides all interested persons an opportunity to view and/or print the contents of this document via the internet through the Commission’s Home Page (https:// www.ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room, due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll-free, (886) 208–3676 or TYY, (202) 502–8659. Dated: December 16, 2022. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2022–27855 Filed 12–21–22; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P E:\FR\FM\22DEN1.SGM 22DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 245 (Thursday, December 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78668-78669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-27856]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP21-498-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Virginia 
Electrification Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) 
for the Virginia Electrification Project (Project), proposed by 
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in the above-referenced 
docket. Columbia requests authorization to construct and operate 
natural gas facilities in Virginia. The Project is designed to provide 
35,000 dekatherms per day of incremental mainline capacity on 
Columbia's pipeline system. The Project would address a request from 
Columbia Gas of Virginia, an unaffiliated local distribution company, 
for firm transportation service to meet growing energy demand in the 
southeast Virginia market area off of Columbia's existing VM-107, VM-
108, and VM-109 pipelines.
    This final EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the Project in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 
Columbia's Project facilities include: one zero emission electric motor

[[Page 78669]]

compressor unit at the Boswells Tavern Compressor Station located in 
Louisa County; facility modifications to the Boswells Tavern point of 
receipt located in Louisa County to allow for increased capacity; 
replacement of all five existing gas-powered compressor units at the 
Goochland Compressor Station, located in Goochland County, with new 
units that will run exclusively on electric motors, but will have the 
ability to run on gas in order to ensure reliability; and change the 
status of an existing compressor unit from backup mode to active mode 
and increase the site-rated station horsepower to 5,500 horsepower at 
the Petersburg Compressor Station located in Prince George County. The 
FERC staff concludes that approval of the proposed Project, with the 
mitigation measures recommended in the EIS, would result in some 
adverse environmental impacts; however, with the exception of climate 
change impacts, those impacts would not be significant.
    The EIS is not characterizing the Project's greenhouse gas 
emissions as significant or insignificant because the Commission is 
conducting a generic proceeding to determine whether and how the 
Commission will conduct significance determinations going forward.\1\ 
The EIS also concludes that no system, route, or other alternative 
would meet the Project objective while providing a significant 
environmental advantage over the Project as proposed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Natural Gas 
Infrastructure Project Reviews, 178 FERC ] 61,108 (2022); 178 FERC ] 
61,197 (2022).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Commission mailed a copy of the Notice of Availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Virginia 
Electrification Project to federal, state, and local government 
representatives and agencies; local libraries; newspapers; elected 
officials; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties. The 
final EIS is only available in electronic format. It may be viewed and 
downloaded from the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov), on the natural gas 
environmental documents page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). In addition, the 
final EIS may be accessed by using the eLibrary link on the FERC's 
website. Click on the eLibrary link (https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search) select ``General Search'' and enter the docket number 
in the ``Docket Number'' field (i.e., CP21-498-000). Be sure you have 
selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC 
Online Support at [email protected] or toll free at (866) 208-
3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659.
    The final EIS is not a decision document. It presents Commission 
staff's independent analysis of the environmental issues for the 
Commission to consider when addressing the merits of all issues in this 
proceeding.
    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. The eLibrary link 
also provides access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and 
submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you 
spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to 
register for eSubscription.

    Dated: December 16, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-27856 Filed 12-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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