80 FR 27157 - Texas Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Western Kentucky Lateral Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 91 (May 12, 2015)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 91 (May 12, 2015)
| Page Range | 27157-27159 | |
| FR Document | 2015-11415 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 27157-27159] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-11415] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP15-105-000] Texas Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Western Kentucky Lateral Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Western Kentucky Lateral Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Texas Gas Transmission, LLC (Texas Gas) in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity. This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. 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 June 4, 2015. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on March 4, 2015, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP15-105-000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental mailing list for this project. State and local government representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed project 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 [[Page 27158]] 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 easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings where compensation would be determined in accordance with state law. Texas Gas provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' 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. It is also available for viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Public Participation For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or [email protected]. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. This 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 on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. 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.'' If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP15-105-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Summary of the Proposed Project Texas Gas proposes to construct and operate 22.5 miles of 24-inch- diameter pipeline to connect the existing Texas Gas Midland 3 Compressor Station to Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) existing Paradise Fossil Plant in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. The Western Lateral Project would provide about 230,000 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day to TVA's proposed combined cycle gas plant at its Paradise Fossil Plant. TVA's combined cycle gas plant includes the replacement of two coal fired units to assist TVA's compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Mercury and Air Toxics Standards. The Western Kentucky Lateral Project would consist of the following facilities:22.5-miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline; two new meter and regulator stations; and one new mainline valve. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear 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'' or from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 356 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Following construction, Texas Gas would maintain about 148 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. About 35 percent of the proposed pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-way. The EA Process The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us \2\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these general headings: Geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; air quality and noise; endangered and threatened species; public safety; and cumulative impacts. We will also evaluate reasonable 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. The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA will be available in the public record through eLibrary. Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, we may also publish and distribute the EA to the public for an allotted comment period. We will consider all comments on the EA before making our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2. With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA.\3\ Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this notice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1501.6. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 are using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and 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.\4\ We will define the [[Page 27159]] project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's regulations) 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, and anyone who submits comments on the project. 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 we publish and distribute the EA, copies will be sent to the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached Information Request (appendix 2). Becoming an Intervenor In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the Commission's proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site. Additional Information Additional information about the project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the FERC Web site at www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP15- 105). 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 eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of 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 www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp. Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information. Dated: May 5, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-11415 Filed 5-11-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 91 / Tuesday, May 12, 2015 / Notices 27157
the proceeding, which, together with the Public Reference Room in Washington, Dated: May 5, 2015.
record developed to date, will form the DC. There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on Kimberly D. Bose,
basis for further Commission action. the Web site that enables subscribers to Secretary.
For more information about this receive email notification when a [FR Doc. 2015–11406 Filed 5–11–15; 8:45 am]
technical conference, please contact document is added to a subscribed BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Lina Naik, 202–502–8882, lina.naik@ docket(s). For assistance with any FERC
ferc.gov, regarding legal issues; or Jason Online service, please email
Strong, 202–502–6124, jason.strong@ FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
ferc.gov, and Ben Foster, 202–502–6149, (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
ben.foster@ferc.gov, regarding technical (202) 502–8659. Federal Energy Regulatory
issues; or Sarah McKinley, 202–502– Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Commission
8368, sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov, Time on May 8, 2015. [Docket No. CP15–105–000]
regarding logistical issues. Dated: April 28, 2015.
Dated: May 5, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Texas Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. of Intent To Prepare an Environmental
Assessment for the Proposed Western
Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015–11410 Filed 5–11–15; 8:45 am]
Kentucky Lateral Project and Request
[FR Doc. 2015–11405 Filed 5–11–15; 8:45 a.m.] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
for Comments on Environmental
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY The staff of the Federal Energy
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) will prepare an
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission environmental assessment (EA) that will
Commission discuss the environmental impacts of
Notice of Commission Staff
[Docket No. EL15–58–000] the Western Kentucky Lateral Project
Attendance
involving construction and operation of
Louisiana Generating, LLC; Notice of The Federal Energy Regulatory facilities by Texas Gas Transmission,
Filing Commission (Commission) hereby gives LLC (Texas Gas) in Muhlenberg County,
notice that members of the Kentucky. The Commission will use this
Take notice that on April 28, 2015, Commission’s staff may attend the EA in its decision-making process to
Louisiana Generating LLC submitted an following meeting related to the determine whether the project is in the
amendment to its April 7, 2015 filed transmission planning activities of the public convenience and necessity.
request to recover costs under Florida Reliability Coordinating This notice announces the opening of
Midcontinent Independent System Council, Inc. the scoping process the Commission
Operator, Inc.’s FERC Electric Tariff The Florida Reliability Coordinating will use to gather input from the public
Schedule 24 and Schedule 24–A. Council, Inc. (FRCC) Process First and interested agencies on the project.
Any person desiring to intervene or to Quarter Meeting. You can make a difference by providing
protest this filing must file in May 6, 2015, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. us with your specific comments or
accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of (Eastern Standard Time) concerns about the project. Your
the Commission’s Rules of Practice and comments should focus on the potential
The above-referenced meeting will be
Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). environmental effects, reasonable
via web conference.
Protests will be considered by the The above-referenced meeting is open alternatives, and measures to avoid or
Commission in determining the to stakeholders. lessen environmental impacts. Your
appropriate action to be taken, but will Further information may be found at: input will help the Commission staff
not serve to make protestants parties to https://www.frcc.com/Default.aspx. determine what issues they need to
the proceeding. Any person wishing to The discussions at the meeting evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your
become a party must file a notice of described above may address matters at comments are timely and properly
intervention or motion to intervene, as issue in the following proceedings: recorded, please send your comments so
appropriate. Such notices, motions, or Docket No. ER13–1932, Tampa Electric that the Commission receives them in
protests must be filed on or before the Company Washington, DC on or before June 4,
comment date. On or before the Docket No. ER13–1922, Duke Energy 2015.
comment date, it is not necessary to Florida (Progress Energy Florida) If you sent comments on this project
serve motions to intervene or protests Docket No. ER13–1929, Florida Power & to the Commission before the opening of
on persons other than the Applicant. Light Company this docket on March 4, 2015, you will
The Commission encourages Docket No. ER13–1928, Duke Energy need to file those comments in Docket
electronic submission of protests and Carolinas/Carolina Power & Light No. CP15–105–000 to ensure they are
interventions in lieu of paper using the Docket Nos. ER13–107, ER13–1935, considered as part of this proceeding.
‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://www.ferc.gov. South Carolina Electric & Gas This notice is being sent to the
Persons unable to file electronically Company Commission’s current environmental
should submit an original and 5 copies Docket No. ER13–1941, Alabama Power mailing list for this project. State and
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
of the protest or intervention to the Company et al. local government representatives should
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Docket No. ER13–1940, Ohio Valley notify their constituents of this
888 First Street NE., Washington, DC Electric Corporation proposed project and encourage them to
20426. For more information, contact Rhonda comment on their areas of concern.
This filing is accessible on-line at Jones, Office of Energy Market If you are a landowner receiving this
http://www.ferc.gov, using the Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory notice, a pipeline company
‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for Commission at (202) 502–6154 or representative may contact you about
electronic review in the Commission’s Rhonda.Jones@ferc.gov. the acquisition of an easement to
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 91 / Tuesday, May 12, 2015 / Notices 27159
project-specific Area of Potential Effects at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web This notice announces the opening of
(APE) in consultation with the SHPO as site at www.ferc.gov using the the scoping process the Commission
the project develops. On natural gas ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Click on the eLibrary will use to gather input from the public
facility projects, the APE at a minimum link, click on ‘‘General Search’’ and and interested agencies on the project.
encompasses all areas subject to ground enter the docket number, excluding the You can make a difference by providing
disturbance (examples include last three digits in the Docket Number us with your specific comments or
construction right-of-way, contractor/ field (i.e., CP15–105). Be sure you have concerns about the project. Your
pipe storage yards, compressor stations, selected an appropriate date range. For comments should focus on the potential
and access roads). Our EA for this assistance, please contact FERC Online environmental effects, reasonable
project will document our findings on Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov alternatives, and measures to avoid or
the impacts on historic properties and or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or for lessen environmental impacts. Your
summarize the status of consultations TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The input will help the Commission staff
under section 106. eLibrary link also provides access to the determine what issues they need to
texts of formal documents issued by the evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your
Environmental Mailing List
Commission, such as orders, notices, comments are timely and properly
The environmental mailing list and rulemakings. recorded, please send your comments so
includes federal, state, and local In addition, the Commission offers a that the Commission receives them in
government representatives and free service called eSubscription which Washington, DC on or before June 5,
agencies; elected officials; allows you to keep track of all formal 2015.
environmental and public interest issuances and submittals in specific If you sent comments on this project
groups; Native American Tribes; other dockets. This can reduce the amount of to the Commission before the opening of
interested parties; and local libraries time you spend researching proceedings this docket on March 23, 2015, you will
and newspapers. This list also includes by automatically providing you with need to file those comments in Docket
all affected landowners (as defined in notification of these filings, document No. CP15–118–000 to ensure they are
the Commission’s regulations) who are summaries, and direct links to the considered as part of this proceeding.
potential right-of-way grantors, whose This notice is being sent to the
documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-
property may be used temporarily for Commission’s current environmental
filing/esubscription.asp.
project purposes, or who own homes mailing list for this project. State and
Finally, public meetings or site visits local government representatives should
within certain distances of aboveground
will be posted on the Commission’s notify their constituents of this
facilities, and anyone who submits
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/ proposed project and encourage them to
comments on the project. We will
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along comment on their areas of concern.
update the environmental mailing list as
with other related information. If you are a landowner receiving this
the analysis proceeds to ensure that we
send the information related to this Dated: May 5, 2015. notice, a pipeline company
environmental review to all individuals, Kimberly D. Bose, representative may contact you about
organizations, and government entities Secretary. the acquisition of an easement to
interested in and/or potentially affected [FR Doc. 2015–11415 Filed 5–11–15; 8:45 am] construct, operate, and maintain the
by the proposed project. BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
proposed facilities. The company would
If we publish and distribute the EA, seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
copies will be sent to the environmental agreement. However, if the Commission
mailing list for public review and DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY approves the project, that approval
comment. If you would prefer to receive conveys with it the right of eminent
a paper copy of the document instead of Federal Energy Regulatory domain. Therefore, if easement
the CD version or would like to remove Commission negotiations fail to produce an
your name from the mailing list, please agreement, the pipeline company could
return the attached Information Request [Docket No. CP15–118–000] initiate condemnation proceedings
(appendix 2). where compensation would be
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line determined in accordance with state
Becoming an Intervenor law.
Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To
In addition to involvement in the EA Prepare an Environmental Assessment Transco provided landowners with a
scoping process, you may want to for the Proposed Virginia Southside fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled
become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an Expansion Project II and Request for ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on
official party to the Commission’s Comments on Environmental Issues My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’
proceeding. Intervenors play a more This fact sheet addresses a number of
formal role in the process and are able The staff of the Federal Energy typically asked questions, including the
to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be Regulatory Commission (FERC or use of eminent domain and how to
heard by the courts if they choose to Commission) will prepare an participate in the Commission’s
appeal the Commission’s final ruling. environmental assessment (EA) that will proceedings. It is also available for
An intervenor formally participates in discuss the environmental impacts of viewing on the FERC Web site
the proceeding by filing a request to the Virginia Southside Expansion (www.ferc.gov).
intervene. Instructions for becoming an Project II involving construction and
Public Participation
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
intervenor are in the User’s Guide under operation of facilities by
the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line For your convenience, there are three
Web site. Company, LLC (Transco) in Virginia, methods you can use to submit your
North Carolina, and South Carolina. The comments to the Commission. The
Additional Information Commission will use this EA in its Commission encourages electronic filing
Additional information about the decision-making process to determine of comments and has expert staff
project is available from the whether the project is in the public available to assist you at (202) 502–8258
Commission’s Office of External Affairs, convenience and necessity. or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully
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Document Created: 2015-12-16 07:55:27
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 07:55:27
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| FR Citation | 80 FR 27157 |
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