Department of Energy September 6, 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE or the Department) announces its intent to modify the scope of the Northern Pass Transmission Line Project Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0463) and to conduct additional public scoping meetings. As described in the February 11, 2011, Notice of Intent (NOI) (76 FR 7828), in October 2010, Northern Pass Transmission LLC (Northern Pass or the Applicant) submitted an application to DOE for a Presidential permit to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a new electric transmission line across the U.S.-Canada border into northern New Hampshire. As explained in the 2011 NOI, DOE will assess the potential environmental impacts from the proposed Federal action of granting a Presidential permit to Northern Pass. On July 1, 2013, the Applicant submitted to DOE an amended application for a Presidential permit that reflected proposed changes to the route of the Northern Pass project. A map of the proposed route and segment maps are available on the DOE EIS Web site established for the preparation of the EIS at www.northernpasseis.us. A copy of the amended Presidential permit application can be found at the DOE EIS Web site or at the program Web site https://energy.gov/oe/services/ electricity-policy-coordination-and-implementation/internatio nal- electricity-regulatio-2 (scroll down to PP-371) or a copy can be requested by emailing Angela Troy at angela.troy@hq.doe.gov. DOE now intends to revise the scope of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with these proposed changes. The U.S. Forest ServiceWhite Mountain National Forest, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)New England District, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Region 1 (New England) are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS. The EIS will provide the analysis to support a Forest Service decision on whether to issue a special use permit within the White Mountain National Forest. The responsible official for the Forest Service is the Forest Supervisor for the White Mountain National Forest. Because the proposed Federal action may involve floodplains and wetlands, the draft EIS will include a floodplains and wetlands assessment as appropriate, and the final EIS and/or Record of Decision will include a floodplains and wetlands statement of findings.