East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline Expansion Project Amendment, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Revised Schedule for Environmental Review, 6108-6111 [2024-01906]
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6108
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 21 / Wednesday, January 31, 2024 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1
Combined Notice of Filings # 1
Take notice that the Commission
received the following Complaints and
Compliance filings in EL Dockets:
Docket Numbers: EL24–61–000.
Applicants: Montana-Dakota Utilities
Co. v. Midcontinent Independent
System Operator, Inc. and Southwest
Power Pool, Inc.
Description: Complaint of MontanaDakota Utilities Co. v. Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc. and
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Filed Date: 1/23/24.
Accession Number: 20240123–5146.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/12/24.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following electric rate
filings:
Docket Numbers: ER16–2044–003.
Applicants: Elk Hills Power, LLC.
Description: Notice of Non-Material
Change in Status of Elk Hills Power,
LLC.
Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5025.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Docket Numbers: ER23–1335–002.
Applicants: Ameren Illinois
Company.
Description: Compliance Filing of
Ameren Illinois Company.
Filed Date: 1/16/24.
Accession Number: 20240116–5197.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/6/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–978–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
Description: 205(d) Rate Filing: 2024–
1–23_SA 4228 GRE–OTP–Discovery
Wind GIA (S1036) to be effective 3/24/
2024.
Filed Date: 1/23/24.
Accession Number: 20240123–5124.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/13/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–979–000.
Applicants: MFT Energy US 1 LLC.
Description: Tariff Amendment:
Cancellation entire tariff to be effective
1/25/2024.
Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5063.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–980–000.
Applicants: Alabama Power
Company, Georgia Power Company,
Mississippi Power Company.
Description: Tariff Amendment:
Alabama Power Company submits tariff
filing per 35.15: Swallowtail Solar LGIA
Termination Filing to be effective 1/24/
2024.
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17:00 Jan 30, 2024
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Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5074.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–981–000.
Applicants: Black Hills Colorado
Electric, LLC.
Description: 205(d) Rate Filing:
Amended and Restated Standard LGIA
with TC Colorado Solar, LLC to be
effective 1/25/2024.
Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5081.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–982–000.
Applicants: Arizona Public Service
Company.
Description: 205(d) Rate Filing:
Service Agreement No. 417, LGIA
between APS, CAWCD, Maricopa
Energy Center to be effective 1/9/2024.
Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5086.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–983–000.
Applicants: Midcontinent
Independent System Operator, Inc.
Description: 205(d) Rate Filing: 2024–
01–24_SA 4071 Duke Energy-Lowland
Solar Park 1st Rev GIA (J1390) to be
effective 1/12/2024.
Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5090.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–984–000.
Applicants: FirstEnergy Pennsylvania
Electric Company, PJM Interconnection,
L.L.C.
Description: 205(d) Rate Filing:
FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric
Company submits tariff filing per
35.13(a)(2)(iii: FE PA submits 4
amended IAs, SA Nos. 4335, 4436, 4345
and 6411 re: FE Reorg to be effective 1/
1/2024.
Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5119.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Docket Numbers: ER24–985–000.
Applicants: FirstEnergy Pennsylvania
Electric Company, Interconnection,
L.L.C.
Description: 205(d) Rate Filing:
FirstEnergy Pennsylvania Electric
Company submits tariff filing per
35.13(a)(2)(iii: FE PA submits amended
IAs, SA Nos. 4665 and 6412 re:
FirstEnergy Reorganization to be
effective 1/1/2024.
Filed Date: 1/24/24.
Accession Number: 20240124–5121.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/14/24.
Take notice that the Commission
received the following public utility
holding company filings:
Docket Numbers: PH24–6–000.
Applicants: RPower Holdings, LLC.
Description: RPower Holdings, LLC
submits FERC 65–B Notice of Change in
Fact to Waiver Notification.
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Filed Date: 1/23/24.
Accession Number: 20240123–5155.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/13/24.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/fercgen
search.asp) by querying the docket
number.
Any person desiring to intervene, to
protest, or to answer a complaint in any
of the above proceedings must file in
accordance with Rules 211, 214, or 206
of the Commission’s Regulations (18
CFR 385.211, 385.214, or 385.206) on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the
specified comment date. Protests may be
considered, but intervention is
necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Dated: January 24, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–01839 Filed 1–30–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket Nos. CP23–516–000; CP23–516–
001]
East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC;
Supplemental Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline
Expansion Project Amendment,
Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues, and Notice of
Revised Schedule for Environmental
Review
On September 18, 2023, the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC
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or Commission) issued in Docket No.
CP23–516–000 a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact
Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline
Expansion Project, Request for
Comments on Environmental Issues,
and Schedule for Environmental Review
(NOI).1 On December 18, 2023 East
Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC (East
Tennessee) incorporated minor
adjustments to the proposed Ridgeline
Expansion Project (Project) pipeline
centerline and workspaces and
relocated the Kingston Delivery Meter
Station to the pipeline terminus. On
December 19, 2023, East Tennessee
amended its proposed Project to
increase the pipeline diameter from 24
to 30 inches along 8 miles in Morgan
and Roane Counties (formerly referred
to as the ‘‘Lateral’’). This Supplemental
Notice is being issued to seek comments
on the Project modifications, filed on
both December 18 and 19, 2023, and
opens a new scoping period for
interested parties to file comments on
environmental issues.
The September 18, 2023 NOI
announced that the FERC staff will
prepare an environmental impact
statement (EIS) to address the
environmental impacts of the Project.
Please refer to the NOI for more
information about the facilities
proposed by East Tennessee in
Trousdale, Smith, Jackson, Putnam,
Overton, Fentress, Morgan, and Roane
counties, Tennessee. The Commission
will use this EIS in its decision-making
process to determine whether the
Project, as modified, is in the public
convenience and necessity.
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Project
modifications. Your comments should
focus on the potential environmental
effects, reasonable alternatives, and
measures to avoid or lessen
environmental impacts. To ensure that
your comments are timely and properly
recorded, please send your comments so
that the Commission receives them in
Washington, DC on or before February
26, 2024.
The Commission previously solicited
public input on the Project in the fall of
2023. We 2 are specifically seeking
comments on the pipeline centerline
and workspace adjustments to help the
Commission staff determine what issues
need to be evaluated in the EIS. If you
have previously submitted comments
1 The NOI can be found at accession number
20230918–3011 at elibrary.ferc.gov.
2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the
environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of
Energy Projects.
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during the pre-filing review in docket
no. PF22–7–000 or in response to the
NOI, you do not need to resubmit your
comments.
This Supplemental Notice is being
sent to the Commission’s current
environmental mailing list for the
Project. State and local government
representatives are asked to notify their
constituents of this proposed Project
modifications and encourage them to
comment on their areas of concern.
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
agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the Project, that approval
conveys with it the right of eminent
domain. Therefore, if the easement
negotiations fail to produce an
agreement, the pipeline company could
initiate condemnation proceedings
where compensation would be
determined in accordance with state
law.
A fact sheet prepared by FERC
entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
To Know?’’ is available for viewing on
the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). This
fact sheet addresses a number of
typically asked questions, including the
use of eminent domain and how to
participate in the Commission’s
proceedings.
Public Participation
There are three methods you can use
to submit your comments to the
Commission.
Please carefully follow these
instructions so that your comments are
properly recorded. The Commission
encourages electronic filing of
comments and has staff available to
assist you at (866) 208–3676 or
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.
(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
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will be asked to select the type of filing
you are making; a comment on a
particular project is considered a
‘‘Comment on a Filing’’; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your
comments by mailing them to the
Commission. Be sure to reference the
project docket number (CP23–516–001)
on your letter. Submissions sent via the
U.S. Postal Service must be addressed
to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room
1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Submissions sent via any other carrier
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne
Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins
Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
Additionally, the Commission offers a
free service called eSubscription which
makes it easy to stay informed of all
issuances and submittals regarding the
dockets/projects to which you
subscribe. These instant email
notifications are the fastest way to
receive notification and provide a link
to the document files which can reduce
the amount of time you spend
researching proceedings. Go to https://
www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to
register for eSubscription.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Summary of Project Modifications
Modifications East Tennessee filed on
December 18, 2023 consist of the
following changes:
• minor (300 feet or less) adjustments
to the Mainline centerline and
workspace areas to address landowner
concerns, constructability constraints,
and/or to avoid sensitive resources;
• modifications to the Kingston
Delivery Meter Station and Crossover as
follows:
D relocation of the Kingston Delivery
Meter Station to the pipeline terminus
and installation of a new mainline valve
(Valve #10) at milepost (MP) 122.2R at
the shippers request; and
D change the name of the crossover,
which will remain at MP 114.1, to the
‘‘Harriman Crossover’’;
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• modification to the horizontal
directional drill path for the Emory
River crossing;
• crossing Little Goose Creek and
Goose Creek via one horizontal
directional drill crossing; and
• a reduction in the number of
construction spreads from three to two.
These modifications will affect 12
new landowners.
The Project Amendment, filed on
December 19, 2023, would increase the
pipeline diameter from 24 to 30 inches
along about 8 miles of pipeline,
formerly referred to as the ‘‘Lateral’’ in
Morgan and Roane Counties, increasing
the Mainline length to about 122.2 miles
and eliminating references to this
portion of pipeline as the ‘‘Lateral.’’
These modifications would not affect
any new landowners.
An overview of the proposed Project
is shown in appendix 1.3 A figure that
shows the revisions to the Project
centerline and workspace compared to
what was originally proposed is
provided as attachment 1–1a of East
Tennessee’s December 18, 2023
supplemental filing.4
pipeline route in October 2022. We have
also contacted federal and state agencies
to discuss their involvement in the
scoping process and the preparation of
the EIS.
The EIS will present the FERC staff’s
independent analysis of the issues. The
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service, and National
Park Service are cooperating agencies in
the preparation of the EIS.5 FERC staff
will prepare a draft EIS which will be
issued for public comment. Commission
staff will consider all timely comments
received during the comment period on
the draft EIS and revise the document,
as necessary, before issuing a final EIS.
Any draft and final EIS will be available
in electronic format in the public record
through eLibrary 6 and the
Commission’s natural gas
environmental documents web page
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/
natural-gas/environmental-overview/
environmental-documents). If
eSubscribed, you will receive instant
email notification when the
environmental document is issued.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission
will discuss impacts that could occur as
a result of the construction and
operation of the proposed Project under
the relevant general resource areas:
• geology and soils;
• water resources and wetlands;
• vegetation and wildlife;
• threatened and endangered species;
• cultural resources;
• socioeconomics and environmental
justice;
• land use;
• air quality and noise; and
• reliability and safety.
We will also evaluate possible
alternatives to the proposed Project or
portions of the Project and make
recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource
areas.
As part of our pre-filing review of the
Project, we participated in public Open
House meetings sponsored by East
Tennessee in the project area in June
2022 to explain the environmental
review process to interested
stakeholders. We also conducted public
scoping meetings along the proposed
Consultations 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, we initiated
consultation with the applicable State
Historic Preservation Offices with the
issuance of the September 2023 NOI to
solicit their views and those of other
government agencies, interested Indian
tribes, and the public on the Project’s
potential effects on historic properties.7
The EIS will document findings on the
impacts on historic properties and
summarize the status of consultations
under section 106.
3 The appendices referenced in this notice are not
being printed in the Federal Register. Copies of
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.
4 East Tennessee’s December 18, 2023
supplemental filing can be found at accession
number 20231218–5284 at elibrary.ferc.gov.
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Revised Schedule for Environmental
Review
This notice identifies the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission staff’s
revised schedule for the completion of
the EIS for East Tennessee’s Ridgeline
Expansion Project. The first notice of
schedule, issued on September 18, 2023,
5 The Council on Environmental Quality
regulations addressing cooperating agency
responsibilities are at title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), section 1501.8 (2021).
6 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer
to the last page of this notice.
7 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s
regulations are at title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations, part 800. Historic properties are
defined in those regulations 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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identified September 20, 2024 as the
final EIS issuance date. As discussed
above, East Tennessee has proposed an
amendment and multiple project
changes that precluded FERC staff from
completing the environmental review by
the draft EIS issuance date. As a result,
staff has revised the schedule for
issuance of the final EIS, based on an
issuance of the draft EIS in May 2024.
Issuance of the Notice of Availability of
the final EIS December 20, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision
Deadline 8 March 20, 2025
If a schedule change becomes
necessary, an additional notice will be
provided so that the relevant agencies
are kept informed of the project’s
progress.
Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list
includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and
agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest
groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; affected landowners;
and local libraries and newspapers. This
list also includes landowners affected
by the Project changes 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. We will update the
environmental mailing list as the
analysis proceeds to ensure that we
send the information related to this
environmental review to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities
interested in and/or potentially affected
by the proposed Project.
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 CP23–516–001 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.
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.
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OR
(2) Return the attached ‘‘Mailing List
Update Form’’ (appendix 2).
Additional Information
In order to receive notification of the
issuance of the EIS and to keep track of
all formal issuances and submittals in
specific dockets, the Commission offers
a free service called eSubscription. 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.
Additional information about the
Project is available from the
Commission’s Office of External Affairs,
at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC
website at www.ferc.gov using the
eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link,
click on ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the
docket number in the ‘‘Docket Number’’
field, excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP23–516). 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: January 25, 2024.
Debbie-Anne Reese,
Acting Secretary.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. ET 2/5/24.
Any person desiring to intervene, to
protest, or to answer a complaint in any
of the above proceedings must file in
accordance with Rules 211, 214, or 206
of the Commission’s Regulations (18
CFR 385.211, 385.214, or 385.206) on or
before 5 p.m. Eastern time on the
specified comment date. Protests may be
considered, but intervention is
necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system (https://
elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/fercgen
search.asp) by querying the docket
number.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
service, and qualifying facilities filings
can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
other information, call (866) 208–3676
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes.
For public inquiries and assistance
with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Dated: January 24, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–01843 Filed 1–30–24; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2024–01906 Filed 1–30–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 13123–031]
Combined Notice of Filings
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Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Filings Instituting Proceedings
Docket Numbers: RP24–334–000.
Applicants: Transcontinental Gas
Pipe Line Company, LLC.
Description: 4(d) Rate Filing: NonConforming—ESS—PSEG Superseding
to be effective 3/1/2024.
Filed Date: 1/23/24.
Accession Number: 20240123–5138.
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Eagle Crest Energy Company; Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental
Assessment
On October 12, 2022, Eagle Crest
Energy Company filed an application to
revise the project boundary to remove
the Red Bluff Substation from the
project boundary and relocate a portion
of the transmission line for the
unconstructed Eagle Mountain Pumped
Storage Project No. 13123. The project
would be located at an inactive mine in
Riverside County, California, near the
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6111
town of Desert Center. The project will
occupy private lands and approximately
699.2 acres of Federal land under the
jurisdiction of the Department of the
Interior (Interior) and Bureau of Land
Management (BLM). The project
boundary amendment pertains to the
transmission line portion and its tie-in
to the Red Bluff substation.
The Commission issued a public
notice of the amendment application on
March 16, 2023, with protests,
comments, and motions to intervene
due to be filed by April 17, 2023. In
response to the public notice,
Commission staff received comments
concerning the potential environmental
effects of the proposed license
amendment on resources in the area,
including endangered species.
This notice identifies Commission
staff’s intention to prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) for the
project. The planned schedule for the
completion of the EA is July 2024.1
Revisions to the schedule may be made
as appropriate. The EA will be issued
and made available for review by all
interested parties. All comments filed
on the EA will be reviewed by staff and
considered in the Commission’s final
decision on the proceeding.
With this notice, the Commission is
inviting Federal, State, local, and Tribal
agencies with jurisdiction and/or
special expertise with respect to
environmental issues affected by the
proposal to cooperate in the preparation
of the EA planned to be issued July
2024. Agencies wishing to cooperate, or
further discuss the benefits,
responsibilities, and obligations of the
cooperating agency role, should contact
staff listed at the bottom of this notice
by February 15, 2024. Cooperating
agencies should note the Commission’s
policy that agencies that cooperate in
the preparation of any environmental
document cannot also intervene. See 94
FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001).
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members, and
others to access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
1 42 U.S.C. 4336a(g)(1)(B) requires lead Federal
agencies to complete EAs within 1 year of the
agency’s decision to prepare an EA.
E:\FR\FM\31JAN1.SGM
31JAN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6108-6111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01906]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP23-516-000; CP23-516-001]
East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline
Expansion Project Amendment, Request for Comments on Environmental
Issues, and Notice of Revised Schedule for Environmental Review
On September 18, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC
[[Page 6109]]
or Commission) issued in Docket No. CP23-516-000 a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline
Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and
Schedule for Environmental Review (NOI).\1\ On December 18, 2023 East
Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC (East Tennessee) incorporated minor
adjustments to the proposed Ridgeline Expansion Project (Project)
pipeline centerline and workspaces and relocated the Kingston Delivery
Meter Station to the pipeline terminus. On December 19, 2023, East
Tennessee amended its proposed Project to increase the pipeline
diameter from 24 to 30 inches along 8 miles in Morgan and Roane
Counties (formerly referred to as the ``Lateral''). This Supplemental
Notice is being issued to seek comments on the Project modifications,
filed on both December 18 and 19, 2023, and opens a new scoping period
for interested parties to file comments on environmental issues.
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\1\ The NOI can be found at accession number 20230918-3011 at
elibrary.ferc.gov.
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The September 18, 2023 NOI announced that the FERC staff will
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to address the
environmental impacts of the Project. Please refer to the NOI for more
information about the facilities proposed by East Tennessee in
Trousdale, Smith, Jackson, Putnam, Overton, Fentress, Morgan, and Roane
counties, Tennessee. The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-
making process to determine whether the Project, as modified, is in the
public convenience and necessity.
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Project modifications. Your comments
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. To
ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send
your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on
or before February 26, 2024.
The Commission previously solicited public input on the Project in
the fall of 2023. We \2\ are specifically seeking comments on the
pipeline centerline and workspace adjustments to help the Commission
staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EIS. If you
have previously submitted comments during the pre-filing review in
docket no. PF22-7-000 or in response to the NOI, you do not need to
resubmit your comments.
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\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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This Supplemental Notice is being sent to the Commission's current
environmental mailing list for the Project. State and local government
representatives are asked to notify their constituents of this proposed
Project modifications and encourage them to comment on their areas of
concern.
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 agreement. However, if
the Commission approves the Project, that approval conveys with it the
right of eminent domain. Therefore, if the easement negotiations fail
to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate
condemnation proceedings where compensation would be determined in
accordance with state law.
A fact sheet prepared by FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas
Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for viewing
on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet addresses a number
of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and
how to participate in the Commission's proceedings.
Public Participation
There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission.
Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments
are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic filing of
comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or
[email protected].
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking
on ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you
are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment
on a Filing''; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP23-
516-001) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and
submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These
instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification
and provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of
time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners,
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
Summary of Project Modifications
Modifications East Tennessee filed on December 18, 2023 consist of
the following changes:
minor (300 feet or less) adjustments to the Mainline
centerline and workspace areas to address landowner concerns,
constructability constraints, and/or to avoid sensitive resources;
modifications to the Kingston Delivery Meter Station and
Crossover as follows:
[ssquf] relocation of the Kingston Delivery Meter Station to the
pipeline terminus and installation of a new mainline valve (Valve #10)
at milepost (MP) 122.2R at the shippers request; and
[ssquf] change the name of the crossover, which will remain at MP
114.1, to the ``Harriman Crossover'';
[[Page 6110]]
modification to the horizontal directional drill path for
the Emory River crossing;
crossing Little Goose Creek and Goose Creek via one
horizontal directional drill crossing; and
a reduction in the number of construction spreads from
three to two.
These modifications will affect 12 new landowners.
The Project Amendment, filed on December 19, 2023, would increase
the pipeline diameter from 24 to 30 inches along about 8 miles of
pipeline, formerly referred to as the ``Lateral'' in Morgan and Roane
Counties, increasing the Mainline length to about 122.2 miles and
eliminating references to this portion of pipeline as the ``Lateral.''
These modifications would not affect any new landowners.
An overview of the proposed Project is shown in appendix 1.\3\ A
figure that shows the revisions to the Project centerline and workspace
compared to what was originally proposed is provided as attachment 1-1a
of East Tennessee's December 18, 2023 supplemental filing.\4\
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\3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of 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.
\4\ East Tennessee's December 18, 2023 supplemental filing can
be found at accession number 20231218-5284 at elibrary.ferc.gov.
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The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could
occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed
Project under the relevant general resource areas:
geology and soils;
water resources and wetlands;
vegetation and wildlife;
threatened and endangered species;
cultural resources;
socioeconomics and environmental justice;
land use;
air quality and noise; and
reliability and safety.
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed Project
or portions of the Project and make recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
As part of our pre-filing review of the Project, we participated in
public Open House meetings sponsored by East Tennessee in the project
area in June 2022 to explain the environmental review process to
interested stakeholders. We also conducted public scoping meetings
along the proposed pipeline route in October 2022. We have also
contacted federal and state agencies to discuss their involvement in
the scoping process and the preparation of the EIS.
The EIS will present the FERC staff's independent analysis of the
issues. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service are
cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS.\5\ FERC staff will
prepare a draft EIS which will be issued for public comment. Commission
staff will consider all timely comments received during the comment
period on the draft EIS and revise the document, as necessary, before
issuing a final EIS. Any draft and final EIS will be available in
electronic format in the public record through eLibrary \6\ and the
Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environmental-overview/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant
email notification when the environmental document is issued.
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\5\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), section 1501.8 (2021).
\6\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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Consultations 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, we initiated consultation with the applicable State
Historic Preservation Offices with the issuance of the September 2023
NOI to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the Project's potential
effects on historic properties.\7\ 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. Historic
properties are defined in those regulations 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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Revised Schedule for Environmental Review
This notice identifies the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
staff's revised schedule for the completion of the EIS for East
Tennessee's Ridgeline Expansion Project. The first notice of schedule,
issued on September 18, 2023, identified September 20, 2024 as the
final EIS issuance date. As discussed above, East Tennessee has
proposed an amendment and multiple project changes that precluded FERC
staff from completing the environmental review by the draft EIS
issuance date. As a result, staff has revised the schedule for issuance
of the final EIS, based on an issuance of the draft EIS in May 2024.
Issuance of the Notice of Availability of the final EIS December 20,
2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \8\ March 20, 2025
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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, an additional notice will
be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the
project's progress.
Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; affected landowners; and local libraries and
newspapers. This list also includes landowners affected by the Project
changes 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. We will update the environmental
mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the
information related to this environmental review to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the proposed Project.
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 CP23-516-001 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.
[[Page 6111]]
OR
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).
Additional Information
In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EIS and to
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets,
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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.
Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number
in the ``Docket Number'' field, excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP23-516). 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: January 25, 2024.
Debbie-Anne Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-01906 Filed 1-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P