WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wahpeton Expansion Project, 22444-22445 [2023-07809]

Download as PDF 22444 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 71 / Thursday, April 13, 2023 / Notices communications between FERC and its customers and stakeholders. It also allows feedback to contribute directly to the improvement of program management. The solicitation of feedback will target topics such as: timeliness, appropriateness, accuracy of information, courtesy, efficiency of service delivery, and resolution of issues with service delivery. Responses will be assessed to plan and inform efforts to improve or maintain the quality of service offered to the public. If this information is not collected, vital feedback from customers and stakeholders on the Commission’s services will be unavailable. The Commission will only submit a collection for approval under this generic clearance if it meets the following conditions: • The collections are voluntary; • The collections are low burden for respondents (based on considerations of total burden hours, total number of respondents, or burden hours per respondent) and are low-cost for both the respondents and the Federal Government; • The collections are noncontroversial and do not raise issues of concern to other Federal agencies; • The collection is targeted to the solicitation of opinions from respondents who have experience with the program or may have experience with the program soon; • Personal identifiable information (PII) is collected only to the extent necessary and is not retained; • Information gathered is intended to be used only internally for general service improvement and program management purposes and is not intended for release outside of the Commission (if released, the Commission must indicate the qualitative nature of the information); • Information gathered will not be used for the purpose of substantially informing influential policy decisions; and • Information gathered will yield qualitative information; the collections will not be designed or expected to yield statistically reliable results or used as though the results are generalizable to the population of study. Feedback collected under this generic clearance provides useful information, but it does not yield data that can be generalized to the overall population. This type of generic clearance for qualitative information will not be used for quantitative information collections that are designed to yield reliably actionable results, such as monitoring trends over time or documenting program performance. Such data uses require more rigorous designs that address: the target population to which generalizations will be made, the sampling frame, the sample design (including stratification and clustering), the precision requirements or power calculations that justify the proposed sample size, the expected response rate, methods for assessing potential nonresponse bias, the protocols for data collection, and any testing procedures that were or will be undertaken prior to fielding the study. As a general matter, this information collection will not result in any new system of records containing privacy information and will not ask questions of a sensitive nature, such as sexual behavior and attitudes, religious beliefs, and other matters that are commonly considered private. Type of Respondents/Affected Public: Individuals and households; Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit organizations; State, Local, or Tribal government. Estimate of Annual Burden: 1 The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden for the information collection as: ESTIMATED ANNUAL BURDEN FOR GENERIC CLEARANCE FOR FERC–153 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 Generic Clearance ......................................................... Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Total number of responses Average burden minutes per response Total burden hours (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) 27,000 1 27,000 10 minutes ........ Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of 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: April 7, 2023. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. 1 Burden is defined as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For further explanation of what is included in the information VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:56 Apr 12, 2023 Jkt 259001 4,500 hours.2 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FR Doc. 2023–07807 Filed 4–12–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP22–466–000] WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wahpeton Expansion Project The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Wahpeton Expansion Project, proposed by WBI Energy Transmission, Inc. (WBI Energy) in the abovereferenced docket. WBI Energy requests PO 00000 Frm 00041 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 collection burden, refer to 5 Code of Federal Regulations 1320.3. 2 4,500 hours = 270,000 minutes. E:\FR\FM\13APN1.SGM 13APN1 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

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 71 (Thursday, April 13, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 22444-22445]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07809]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-466-000]


WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Availability of the 
Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Wahpeton 
Expansion Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) 
for the Wahpeton Expansion Project, proposed by WBI Energy 
Transmission, Inc. (WBI Energy) in the above-referenced docket. WBI 
Energy requests

[[Page 22445]]

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-inch-diameter 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 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/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, 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 [email protected] 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.
[FR Doc. 2023-07809 Filed 4-12-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

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