Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Grand Chenier Compressor Station Abandonment Project, 22445-22446 [2023-07808]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 71 / Thursday, April 13, 2023 / Notices authorization to construct and operate the Wahpeton Expansion Project to provide firm transportation service for about 20,600 equivalent dekatherms of natural gas per day to meet a growing demand for natural gas in southeastern North Dakota. The project is supported by a binding Precent Agreement with Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) for 20,000 equivalent dekatherms of natural gas per day from the existing Mapleton Compressor Station to the proposed MDU-Kindred and MDU-Wahpeton Border Stations to provide natural gas services to the communities of Kindred and Wahpeton, North Dakota. The final EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the Wahpeton Expansion Project in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). 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. Most of these impacts would be temporary and occur during construction (e.g., impacts on wetlands, land use, traffic, and noise). With the exception of climate change impacts, that are not characterized in the EIS as significant or insignificant, staff conclude that project effects would not be significant. As part of the analysis, Commission staff developed specific mitigation measures (included in the final EIS as recommendations). Staff recommend that these mitigation measures be attached as conditions to any authorization issued by the Commission. No agencies elected to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS. The final EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the following project facilities: • a new 60.2-mile-long, 12-inchdiameter natural gas pipeline; • minor modifications to WBI Energy’s existing Mapleton Compressor Station; • a new MDU-Wahpeton Border Station; • a new MDU-Kindred Border Station: • seven new block valve settings: • four new pig launcher/receiver settings; and • ancillary facilities. The Commission mailed a copy of the Notice of Availability to federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; potentially affected landowners and VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:56 Apr 12, 2023 Jkt 259001 other interested individuals and groups; and newspapers and libraries in the project area. 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, excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP22–466). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. 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 which 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: April 7, 2023. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP23–57–000] Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Grand Chenier Compressor Station Abandonment Project On February 10, 2023, Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (Texas Eastern) filed an application in Docket No. CP23–57– 000 requesting an Authorization Frm 00042 Fmt 4703 pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon certain natural gas facilities. The proposed project is known as the Grand Chenier Compressor Station Abandonment Project (Project) and would authorize Texas Eastern to abandon its existing Grand Chenier Compressor Station. In 2019, the Commission issued orders approving abandonment of certain segments of Texas Eastern’s Cameron System under Docket Nos. CP18–485– 000, CP18–486–000, and CP18–505– 000. According to Texas Eastern, the abandonment of these Cameron System segments removed the need for the Grand Chenier Compressor Station. On February 17, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s environmental document for the Project. This notice identifies Commission staff’s intention to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule for the completion of the environmental review.1 Schedule for Environmental Review Issuance of EA—August 8, 2023 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline 2—November 6, 2023 If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the Project’s progress. Project Description [FR Doc. 2023–07809 Filed 4–12–23; 8:45 am] PO 00000 22445 Sfmt 4703 Texas Eastern proposes to abandon its existing 27,500 horsepower Grand Chenier Compressor Station in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Texas Eastern would disconnect and remove aboveground structures and associated appurtenances along with all piping and other buried structures to a depth of two feet below grade. Texas Eastern’s Line 41 and associated mainline valve would remain in-service. 1 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020). 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. 2 The E:\FR\FM\13APN1.SGM 13APN1 22446 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 71 / Thursday, April 13, 2023 / Notices Background DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY On March 10, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Grand Chenier Compressor Station Abandonment Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping was sent to affected landowners (as defined by the Commission’s regulations); federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission to date has received comments from RESTORE, and the Environmental Protection Agency. The primary issues raised by the commenters are postconstruction use of the site. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Additional Information lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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. 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, select ‘‘General Search’’ from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and ‘‘Docket Number’’ (i.e., CP23–57), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. Dated: April 7, 2023. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2023–07808 Filed 4–12–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:56 Apr 12, 2023 Jkt 259001 [Project No. 1889–085; Project No. 2485– 071] Notice of Settlement Agreement and Soliciting Comments; FirstLight MA Hydro LLC; Northfield Mountain LLC Take notice that the following settlement agreement has been filed with the Commission and is available for public inspection. a. Type of Application: Settlement Agreement. b. Project Nos.: 1889–085 and 2485– 071. c. Date Filed: March 31, 2023. d. Applicant: FirstLight MA Hydro LLC and Northfield Mountain LLC (collectively FirstLight). e. Name of Projects: Turners Falls Hydroelectric Project and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Project (collectively, projects). f. Location: The existing projects are located on the Connecticut River in the counties of Windham, Vermont; Cheshire, New Hampshire; and Franklin, Massachusetts. There are approximately 20 acres of federal land within the current Turners Falls Project boundary, associated with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Silvio Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory. There are no federal lands within the Northfield Mountain Project boundary. g. Filed Pursuant to: Rule 602 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.602. h. Applicant Contact: Alan Douglass, Regulatory Compliance Manager, FirstLight MA Hydro LLC and Northfield Mountain LLC, 99 Millers Falls Road, Northfield, MA 01360; (413) 659–4416 or alan.douglass@ firstlightpower.com. i. FERC Contact: Steve Kartalia, (202) 502–6131, stephen.kartalia@ferc.gov. j. Deadline for filing comments: May 7, 2023. Reply comments due May 22, 2023. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. Please file comments using the Commission’s eFiling system at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ efiling.asp. Commenters can submit brief comments up to 6,000 characters, without prior registration, using the eComment system at https:// www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ ecomment.asp. You must include your name and contact information at the end of your comments. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866) 208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 (TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you may submit a paper copy. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. The first page of any filing should include docket numbers P–1889–085 and P–2485–071. The Commission’s Rules of Practice require all intervenors filing documents with the Commission to serve a copy of that document on each person on the official service list for the project. Further, if an intervenor files comments or documents with the Commission relating to the merits of an issue that may affect the responsibilities of a particular resource agency, they must also serve a copy of the document on that resource agency. k. FirstLight filed the Settlement Agreement for the projects’ relicense proceedings, on behalf of itself, the National Marine Fisheries Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Nature Conservancy, American Whitewater, Appalachian Mountain Club, Crabapple Whitewater, Inc., New England FLOW, and Zoar Outdoor. The purpose of the Settlement Agreement is to resolve, among the signatories, relicensing issues related to fish passage, flows for the fishery, ecological conservation, recreation, and protected, threatened, and endangered species. The Settlement Agreement includes proposed license articles that reflect agreement among the parties concerning the recommendations, terms, conditions, and fishway prescriptions to be submitted to the Commission pursuant to sections 10(a), 10(j), and 18 of the Federal Power regarding these topics. FirstLight requests, and the Settlement Agreement includes a proposed term of 50 years for any new licenses issued for the projects. FirstLight requests that the Commission accept and incorporate all of the proposed license articles in any new licenses for the projects, and issue new licenses for terms of 50 years. l. A copy of the Settlement Agreement may be viewed on the Commission’s website at 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 (i.e., P–1889 and P–2485). At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room, due to the E:\FR\FM\13APN1.SGM 13APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22445-22446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07808]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-57-000]


Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Grand Chenier 
Compressor Station Abandonment Project

    On February 10, 2023, Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (Texas 
Eastern) filed an application in Docket No. CP23-57-000 requesting an 
Authorization pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to 
abandon certain natural gas facilities. The proposed project is known 
as the Grand Chenier Compressor Station Abandonment Project (Project) 
and would authorize Texas Eastern to abandon its existing Grand Chenier 
Compressor Station. In 2019, the Commission issued orders approving 
abandonment of certain segments of Texas Eastern's Cameron System under 
Docket Nos. CP18-485-000, CP18-486-000, and CP18-505-000. According to 
Texas Eastern, the abandonment of these Cameron System segments removed 
the need for the Grand Chenier Compressor Station.
    On February 17, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
environmental document for the Project.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule 
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--August 8, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--November 6, 2023
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 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, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    Texas Eastern proposes to abandon its existing 27,500 horsepower 
Grand Chenier Compressor Station in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Texas 
Eastern would disconnect and remove aboveground structures and 
associated appurtenances along with all piping and other buried 
structures to a depth of two feet below grade. Texas Eastern's Line 41 
and associated mainline valve would remain in-service.

[[Page 22446]]

Background

    On March 10, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Grand 
Chenier Compressor Station Abandonment Project (Notice of Scoping). The 
Notice of Scoping was sent to affected landowners (as defined by the 
Commission's regulations); federal, state, and local government 
agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; 
Native American tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries 
and newspapers. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission to 
date has received comments from RESTORE, and the Environmental 
Protection Agency. The primary issues raised by the commenters are 
post-construction use of the site. All substantive comments will be 
addressed in the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.
    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, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' (i.e., CP23-57), and follow the 
instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can 
be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at 
[email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also 
provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: April 7, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-07808 Filed 4-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

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