80 FR 43076 - Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed White Oak Mainline Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 139 (July 21, 2015)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 139 (July 21, 2015)
| Page Range | 43076-43077 | |
| FR Document | 2015-17805 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 139 (Tuesday, July 21, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 43076-43077] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-17805] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP15-18-000] Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed White Oak Mainline Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues On January 22, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued in Docket No. CP15-18-000 a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed White Oak Mainline Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). Since its application in the above-referenced docket, FERC staff has requested information regarding the proposed facilities, as well as alternative routes to the proposed Kemblesville Loop \1\ in Chester County, Pennsylvania. On June 2, 2015, FERC staff also conducted an onsite environmental review of the proposed pipeline and several alternative routes. In response to data requested by FERC staff, Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (Eastern Shore) provided information on four alternative pipeline routes. FERC staff is further evaluating Alternative Route 2 as described in Eastern Shore's April 21, 2015 response. This Supplemental Notice is being issued to seek comments on Alternative Route 2 and opens a new scoping period for interested parties to file comments on environmental issues specific to this alternative route. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ A pipeline loop is constructed parallel to an existing pipeline to increase capacity. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The January 22, 2015 NOI announced that the FERC staff will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to address the environmental impacts of the White Oak Mainline Expansion Project (Project). Please refer to the NOI for more information about the overall facilities proposed by Eastern Shore in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and FERC staff's EA process. The Commission will use the EA in its decision-making process to determine whether the Project is in the public convenience and necessity. The Commission previously solicited public input on the Project in the beginning of 2015. We \2\ are now specifically seeking comments on the Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2 to help the Commission staff evaluate the environmental impact associated with the alternative and how that compares to the currently proposed route. Please note that this special scoping period will close on August 8, 2015. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This Supplemental Notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental mailing list for this Project, including new landowners that would be affected by the alternative pipeline route. 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 the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for viewing on the FERC Web site (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 For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission will provide equal consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form or provided verbally. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature located on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments on a project; (2) You can file your comments electronically using the eFiling feature located 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.'' You must select the type of filing you are making. If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select ``Comment on a Filing;'' or (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Summary of Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2 The Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2 would be collocated entirely with the existing right-of-way for Eastern Shore's White Oak mainline [[Page 43077]] pipeline and existing loop. This alternative route would involve construction in residential areas as the surrounding area has been developed into several residential subdivisions since installation of the original mainline pipeline. The Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2 would be about 2.1 miles in length and would use previously disturbed land and two existing crossing locations of the White Clay Creek National Wild and Scenic River, administered by the U.S. Department of Interior's National Park Service, using a flume and/or dam and pump crossing method. In comparison, the currently proposed 3.9-mile-long route would follow existing rights-of-way for 41.9 percent of the route and would include two horizontal directional drill crossings of tributaries of the White Clay Creek National Wild and Scenic River. An overview map of the Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2 that follows the existing Eastern Shore pipeline right-of-way and the currently proposed route is included in Appendix 1.\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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'' 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Currently Identified Environmental Issues We have identified several issues that we think deserve attention for our comparison of the proposed route and the Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2 based on a review of the proposed facilities and the environmental information provided by Eastern Shore. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.crossings of the White Clay Creek National Wild and Scenic River; old growth forested areas along the pipeline routes; and noxious weeds. 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; commenters; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes landowners affected by the pipelines as currently proposed, as well as landowners that may be affected by the Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2. 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. Copies of the completed EA 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 a 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 (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- 18). 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. 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. Dated: July 9, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-17805 Filed 7-20-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![43076 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 139 / Tuesday, July 21, 2015 / Notices
intervenor are in the User’s Guide under Comments on Environmental Issues approves the Project, that approval
the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s (NOI). Since its application in the conveys with it the right of eminent
Web site. above-referenced docket, FERC staff has domain. Therefore, if the easement
requested information regarding the negotiations fail to produce an
Additional Information
proposed facilities, as well as alternative agreement, the pipeline company could
Additional information about the routes to the proposed Kemblesville initiate condemnation proceedings
project is available from the Loop 1 in Chester County, Pennsylvania. where compensation would be
Commission’s Office of External Affairs, On June 2, 2015, FERC staff also determined in accordance with state
at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web conducted an onsite environmental law.
site at www.ferc.gov using the review of the proposed pipeline and A fact sheet prepared by the FERC
‘‘Document’s & Filings’’ link. Click on several alternative routes. In response to entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
the eLibrary link, click on General data requested by FERC staff, Eastern Facility on My Land? What Do I Need
Search and enter the docket number, Shore Natural Gas Company (Eastern To Know?’’ is available for viewing on
excluding the last three digits in the Shore) provided information on four the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This
Docket Number field (i.e., CP15–505). alternative pipeline routes. FERC staff is fact sheet addresses a number of
Be sure you have selected an further evaluating Alternative Route 2 as typically asked questions, including the
appropriate date range. For assistance, described in Eastern Shore’s April 21, use of eminent domain and how to
please contact FERC Online Support at 2015 response. This Supplemental participate in the Commission’s
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free Notice is being issued to seek comments proceedings.
at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact on Alternative Route 2 and opens a new Public Participation
(202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also scoping period for interested parties to
provides access to the texts of formal file comments on environmental issues For your convenience, there are three
documents issued by the Commission, specific to this alternative route. methods you can use to submit your
such as orders, notices, and The January 22, 2015 NOI announced comments to the Commission. The
rulemakings. that the FERC staff will prepare an Commission will provide equal
In addition, the Commission offers a environmental assessment (EA) to consideration to all comments received,
free service called eSubscription which address the environmental impacts of whether filed in written form or
allows you to keep track of all formal the White Oak Mainline Expansion provided verbally. The Commission
issuances and submittals in specific Project (Project). Please refer to the NOI encourages electronic filing of
dockets. This can reduce the amount of for more information about the overall comments and has expert staff available
time you spend researching proceedings facilities proposed by Eastern Shore in to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or
by automatically providing you with Pennsylvania and Delaware, and FERC efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow
notification of these filings, document staff’s EA process. The Commission will these instructions so that your
summaries, and direct links to the use the EA in its decision-making comments are properly recorded.
documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs- process to determine whether the (1) You can file your comments
filing/esubscription.asp. Project is in the public convenience and electronically using the eComment
Finally, public meetings or site visits necessity. feature located on the Commission’s
will be posted on the Commission’s The Commission previously solicited Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/ public input on the Project in the to Documents and Filings. This is an
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along beginning of 2015. We 2 are now easy method for interested persons to
with other related information. specifically seeking comments on the submit brief, text-only comments on a
Kemblesville Loop Alternative Route 2 project;
Dated: July 9, 2015. (2) You can file your comments
Kimberly D. Bose, to help the Commission staff evaluate
electronically using the eFiling feature
Secretary.
the environmental impact associated
located on the Commission’s Web site
with the alternative and how that
[FR Doc. 2015–17806 Filed 7–20–15; 8:45 am] (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
compares to the currently proposed
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
route. Please note that this special
you can provide comments in a variety
scoping period will close on August 8,
of formats by attaching them as a file
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY 2015.
with your submission. New eFiling
This Supplemental Notice is being
users must first create an account by
Federal Energy Regulatory sent to the Commission’s current
clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ You must select
Commission environmental mailing list for this
the type of filing you are making. If you
Project, including new landowners that
[Docket No. CP15–18–000] are filing a comment on a particular
would be affected by the alternative
project, please select ‘‘Comment on a
pipeline route.
Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Filing;’’ or
If you are a landowner receiving this (3) You can file a paper copy of your
Supplemental Notice of Intent To notice, a pipeline company
Prepare an Environmental Assessment comments by mailing them to the
representative may contact you about following address: Kimberly D. Bose,
for the Proposed White Oak Mainline the acquisition of an easement to
Expansion Project and Request for Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
construct, operate, and maintain the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Comments on Environmental Issues Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room
proposed facilities. The company would 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
On January 22, 2015, the Federal seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC agreement. However, if the Commission Summary of Kemblesville Loop
or Commission) issued in Docket No. Alternative Route 2
1 A pipeline loop is constructed parallel to an
CP15–18–000 a Notice of Intent to The Kemblesville Loop Alternative
existing pipeline to increase capacity.
Prepare an Environmental Assessment 2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the Route 2 would be collocated entirely
for the Proposed White Oak Mainline environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of with the existing right-of-way for
Expansion Project and Request for Energy Projects. Eastern Shore’s White Oak mainline
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 139 / Tuesday, July 21, 2015 / Notices 43077
pipeline and existing loop. This environmental mailing list as the Dated: July 9, 2015.
alternative route would involve analysis proceeds to ensure that we Kimberly D. Bose,
construction in residential areas as the send the information related to this Secretary.
surrounding area has been developed environmental review to all individuals, [FR Doc. 2015–17805 Filed 7–20–15; 8:45 am]
into several residential subdivisions organizations, and government entities BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
since installation of the original interested in and/or potentially affected
mainline pipeline. The Kemblesville by the proposed Project.
Loop Alternative Route 2 would be DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
about 2.1 miles in length and would use Copies of the completed EA will be
previously disturbed land and two sent to the environmental mailing list Federal Energy Regulatory
existing crossing locations of the White for public review and comment. If you Commission
Clay Creek National Wild and Scenic would prefer to receive a paper copy of
[Docket No. ER15–2134–000]
River, administered by the U.S. the document instead of a CD version or
Department of Interior’s National Park would like to remove your name from Sky River Asset Holdings, LLC;
Service, using a flume and/or dam and the mailing list, please return the Supplemental Notice that Initial
pump crossing method. In comparison, attached Information Request Market-Based Rate Filing Includes
the currently proposed 3.9-mile-long (Appendix 2). Request for Blanket Section 204
route would follow existing rights-of- Authorization
way for 41.9 percent of the route and Becoming an Intervenor
would include two horizontal This is a supplemental notice in the
In addition to involvement in the EA above-referenced proceeding of Sky
directional drill crossings of tributaries scoping process, you may want to
of the White Clay Creek National Wild River Asset Holdings, LLC’s application
become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an for market-based rate authority, with an
and Scenic River.
An overview map of the Kemblesville official party to the Commission’s accompanying rate tariff, noting that
Loop Alternative Route 2 that follows proceeding. Intervenors play a more such application includes a request for
the existing Eastern Shore pipeline formal role in the process and are able blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
right-of-way and the currently proposed to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be part 34, of future issuances of securities
route is included in Appendix 1.3 heard by the courts if they choose to and assumptions of liability.
appeal the Commission’s final ruling. Any person desiring to intervene or to
Currently Identified Environmental An intervenor formally participates in protest should file with the Federal
Issues Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
the proceeding by filing a request to
We have identified several issues that intervene. Instructions for becoming an First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426,
we think deserve attention for our intervenor are in the User’s Guide under in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
comparison of the proposed route and the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
the Kemblesville Loop Alternative Web site. and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
Route 2 based on a review of the 385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
proposed facilities and the Additional Information intervene or protest must serve a copy
environmental information provided by of that document on the Applicant.
Eastern Shore. This preliminary list of Additional information about the Notice is hereby given that the
issues may be changed based on your Project is available from the deadline for filing protests with regard
comments and our analysis. Commission’s Office of External Affairs, to the applicant’s request for blanket
• crossings of the White Clay Creek at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
National Wild and Scenic River; site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary future issuances of securities and
• old growth forested areas along the link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on assumptions of liability, is July 29,
pipeline routes; and ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket 2015.
• noxious weeds. number, excluding the last three digits The Commission encourages
Environmental Mailing List in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP15– electronic submission of protests and
18). Be sure you have selected an interventions in lieu of paper, using the
The environmental mailing list appropriate date range. For assistance, FERC Online links at http://
includes federal, state, and local
please contact FERC Online Support at www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
government representatives and
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free service, persons with Internet access
agencies; elected officials;
at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact who will eFile a document and/or be
environmental and public interest
(202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also listed as a contact for an intervenor
groups; Native American Tribes; other
provides access to the texts of formal must create and validate an
interested parties; commenters; and
documents issued by the Commission, eRegistration account using the
local libraries and newspapers. This list
such as orders, notices, and eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
also includes landowners affected by
rulemakings. link to log on and submit the
the pipelines as currently proposed, as
intervention or protests.
well as landowners that may be affected In addition, the Commission offers a Persons unable to file electronically
by the Kemblesville Loop Alternative free service called eSubscription which should submit an original and 5 copies
Route 2. We will update the allows you to keep track of all formal of the intervention or protest to the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
issuances and submittals in specific Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
3 The appendices referenced in this notice are not
dockets. This can reduce the amount of 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
being printed in the Federal Register. Copies of
appendices were sent to all those receiving this time you spend researching proceedings 20426.
notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov by automatically providing you with The filings in the above-referenced
using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ or from the notification of these filings, document proceeding are accessible in the
Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888 First summaries, and direct links to the
Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202)
Commission’s eLibrary system by
502–8371. For instructions on connecting to documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs- clicking on the appropriate link in the
eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. filing/esubscription.asp. above list. They are also available for
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Document Created: 2018-02-23 09:22:54
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 09:22:54
| 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 43076 |
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