80 FR 46266 - East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Loudon Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 149 (August 4, 2015)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 149 (August 4, 2015)
| Page Range | 46266-46267 | |
| FR Document | 2015-19066 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 149 (Tuesday, August 4, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 46266-46267] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-19066] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP15-91-000] East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Loudon Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues On March 24, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued in Docket No. CP15-91-000 a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Loudon Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). In response to scoping comments and data requested by FERC staff, East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC (East Tennessee) has developed Route G-1 as its new proposed route for the above-referenced project in Monroe and Loudon Counties, Tennessee. FERC staff is further evaluating Alternative Route B as described in East Tennessee's February 20, 2015 filing, the Eastside Alternate Route as described in its May 8, 2015 filing, Alternate Route G as described in its July 10, 2015 filing, as well as the originally proposed route (Route F). This Supplemental Notice is being issued to seek comments on the new Proposed Route G-1 and the alternatives mentioned above, and opens a new scoping period for interested parties to file comments on environmental issues specific to these routes. The March 24, 2015 NOI announced that the FERC staff will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) to address the environmental impacts of the Loudon Expansion Project (Project). Please refer to the NOI for more information about the overall facilities proposed by East Tennessee in Tennessee, 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. We \1\ are now specifically seeking comments on the new Proposed Route G-1, Alternate Route B, Alternate Route G, and the Eastside Alternate Route to help the Commission staff evaluates all potential environmental impacts. Please note that this supplemental scoping period will close on August 27, 2015. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ ``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 landowners along the originally proposed route (Route F) and new landowners that would be affected by the new proposed route (Route G-1) or the alternate routes (Alternate Routes B, G, and the Eastside Alternate 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 [[Page 46267]] 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 the New Proposed Route G-1 and Alternate Routes B, G, and Eastside Following original Route F until milepost (MP) 1.5, the new Proposed Route G-1 would then turn east, cross under Tennessee State Highway 72 and parallel it until MP 3.1 where it would meet and be collated with East Tennessee's existing Loudon-Lenoir City Lateral pipeline. Alternate Route G and the Eastside Alternate Route would follow similar paths but each route would be located slightly farther east, rejoining and paralleling the Loudon-Lenoir City Lateral pipeline at approximately MP 3.5. All three of these routes would cross Tellico Lake. Alternate Route B would start at the same location as all other routes, but would then proceed west of those routes, avoiding Lake Tellico completely, rejoining and paralleling the Loudon-Lenoir City Lateral pipeline at approximately MP 5.4. Overview and aerial maps of the previously proposed route, newly proposed route, and the three alternate routes are included in Appendix 1.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ 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 new proposed route and three alternatives based on a review of the proposed facilities and the environmental information provided by East Tennessee. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.Waterbodies; karst geology, including caves; and candidate and listed threatened or endangered species. 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- 91). 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 28, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-19066 Filed 8-3-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![46266 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices
the proceeding. Only parties to the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY environmental mailing list for this
proceeding can ask for court review of Project, including landowners along the
Commission orders in the proceeding. Federal Energy Regulatory originally proposed route (Route F) and
Commission new landowners that would be affected
However, a person does not have to
[Docket No. CP15–91–000] by the new proposed route (Route G–1)
intervene in order to have comments
or the alternate routes (Alternate Routes
considered. The second way to
East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; B, G, and the Eastside Alternate Route).
participate is by filing with the If you are a landowner receiving this
Secretary of the Commission, as soon as Supplemental Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Assessment notice, a pipeline company
possible, an original and two copies of representative may contact you about
for the Proposed Loudon Expansion
comments in support of or in opposition the acquisition of an easement to
Project and Request for Comments on
to this project. The Commission will construct, operate, and maintain the
Environmental Issues
consider these comments in proposed facilities. The company would
determining the appropriate action to be On March 24, 2015, the Federal seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
taken, but the filing of a comment alone Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC agreement. However, if the Commission
will not serve to make the filer a party or Commission) issued in Docket No. approves the Project, that approval
to the proceeding. The Commission’s CP15–91–000 a Notice of Intent to conveys with it the right of eminent
rules require that persons filing Prepare an Environmental Assessment domain. Therefore, if the easement
comments in opposition to the project for the Proposed Loudon Expansion negotiations fail to produce an
provide copies of their protests only to Project and Request for Comments on agreement, the pipeline company could
the party or parties directly involved in Environmental Issues (NOI). In response initiate condemnation proceedings
the protest. to scoping comments and data requested where compensation would be
by FERC staff, East Tennessee Natural determined in accordance with state
Persons who wish to comment only Gas, LLC (East Tennessee) has law.
on the environmental review of this developed Route G–1 as its new A fact sheet prepared by the FERC
project should submit an original and proposed route for the above-referenced entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
two copies of their comments to the project in Monroe and Loudon Counties, Facility on My Land? What Do I Need
Secretary of the Commission. Tennessee. FERC staff is further To Know?’’ is available for viewing on
Environmental commentors will be evaluating Alternative Route B as the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This
placed on the Commission’s described in East Tennessee’s February fact sheet addresses a number of
environmental mailing list, will receive 20, 2015 filing, the Eastside Alternate typically asked questions, including the
copies of the environmental documents, Route as described in its May 8, 2015 use of eminent domain and how to
and will be notified of meetings filing, Alternate Route G as described in participate in the Commission’s
associated with the Commission’s its July 10, 2015 filing, as well as the proceedings.
environmental review process. originally proposed route (Route F). Public Participation
Environmental commentors will not be This Supplemental Notice is being
issued to seek comments on the new For your convenience, there are three
required to serve copies of filed methods you can use to submit your
documents on all other parties. Proposed Route G–1 and the alternatives
mentioned above, and opens a new comments to the Commission. The
However, the non-party commentors Commission will provide equal
will not receive copies of all documents scoping period for interested parties to
file comments on environmental issues consideration to all comments received,
filed by other parties or issued by the whether filed in written form or
Commission (except for the mailing of specific to these routes.
The March 24, 2015 NOI announced provided verbally. The Commission
environmental documents issued by the encourages electronic filing of
that the FERC staff will prepare an
Commission) and will not have the right comments and has expert staff available
environmental assessment (EA) to
to seek court review of the address the environmental impacts of to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or
Commission’s final order. the Loudon Expansion Project (Project). efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow
The Commission strongly encourages Please refer to the NOI for more these instructions so that your
electronic filings of comments, protests information about the overall facilities comments are properly recorded.
and interventions in lieu of paper using proposed by East Tennessee in (1) You can file your comments
Tennessee, and FERC staff’s EA process. electronically using the eComment
the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://
The Commission will use the EA in its feature located on the Commission’s
www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file
decision-making process to determine Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link
electronically should submit an original
whether the Project is in the public to Documents and Filings. This is an
and 5 copies of the protest or easy method for interested persons to
intervention to the Federal Energy convenience and necessity.
We 1 are now specifically seeking submit brief, text-only comments on a
regulatory Commission, 888 First Street project;
NE., Washington, DC 20426. comments on the new Proposed Route
(2) You can file your comments
G–1, Alternate Route B, Alternate Route
Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern electronically using the eFiling feature
G, and the Eastside Alternate Route to
Time on August 18, 2015. located on the Commission’s Web site
help the Commission staff evaluates all
(www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Dated: July 28, 2015. potential environmental impacts. Please
Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
Kimberly D. Bose, note that this supplemental scoping
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
you can provide comments in a variety
Secretary. period will close on August 27, 2015.
of formats by attaching them as a file
This Supplemental Notice is being
[FR Doc. 2015–19061 Filed 8–3–15; 8:45 am] with your submission. New eFiling
sent to the Commission’s current
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P users must first create an account by
1 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ You must select
environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of the type of filing you are making. If you
Energy Projects. are filing a comment on a particular
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 149 / Tuesday, August 4, 2015 / Notices 46267
project, please select ‘‘Comment on a groups; Native American Tribes; other notification of these filings, document
Filing;’’ or interested parties; commenters; and summaries, and direct links to the
(3) You can file a paper copy of your local libraries and newspapers. This list documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-
comments by mailing them to the also includes landowners affected by filing/esubscription.asp.
following address: Kimberly D. Bose, the pipelines as currently proposed, as Dated: July 28, 2015.
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory well as landowners that may be affected
Kimberly D. Bose,
Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room by the Kemblesville Loop Alternative
1A, Washington, DC 20426. Secretary.
Route 2. We will update the
environmental mailing list as the [FR Doc. 2015–19066 Filed 8–3–15; 8:45 am]
Summary of the New Proposed Route
G–1 and Alternate Routes B, G, and analysis proceeds to ensure that we BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Eastside send the information related to this
environmental review to all individuals,
Following original Route F until organizations, and government entities DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
milepost (MP) 1.5, the new Proposed interested in and/or potentially affected
Route G–1 would then turn east, cross Federal Energy Regulatory
by the proposed Project.
under Tennessee State Highway 72 and Copies of the completed EA will be Commission
parallel it until MP 3.1 where it would sent to the environmental mailing list Combined Notice of Filings
meet and be collated with East for public review and comment. If you
Tennessee’s existing Loudon-Lenoir would prefer to receive a paper copy of Take notice that the Commission has
City Lateral pipeline. Alternate Route G the document instead of a CD version or received the following Natural Gas
and the Eastside Alternate Route would would like to remove your name from Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
follow similar paths but each route the mailing list, please return the
would be located slightly farther east, Filings Instituting Proceedings
attached Information Request
rejoining and paralleling the Loudon- (Appendix 2). Docket Numbers: RP15–1135–000.
Lenoir City Lateral pipeline at Applicants: Questar Southern Trails
approximately MP 3.5. All three of these Becoming an Intervenor Pipeline Company.
routes would cross Tellico Lake. In addition to involvement in the EA Description: Section 4(d) Rate Filing:
Alternate Route B would start at the scoping process, you may want to Statement of Negotiated Rates Filing to
same location as all other routes, but become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an be effective 7/1/2015.
would then proceed west of those official party to the Commission’s Filed Date: 7/28/15.
routes, avoiding Lake Tellico proceeding. Intervenors play a more Accession Number: 20150728–5091.
completely, rejoining and paralleling formal role in the process and are able Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/10/15.
the Loudon-Lenoir City Lateral pipeline to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be Docket Numbers: RP15–1136–000.
at approximately MP 5.4. heard by the courts if they choose to Applicants: Washington Gas Light
Overview and aerial maps of the appeal the Commission’s final ruling. Company, Energy Corporation of
previously proposed route, newly An intervenor formally participates in America.
proposed route, and the three alternate the proceeding by filing a request to Description: Petition for Waiver of
routes are included in Appendix 1.2 intervene. Instructions for becoming an Washington Gas Light Company and
intervenor are in the User’s Guide under Energy Corporation of America under
Currently Identified Environmental
the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s RP15–1136.
Issues
Web site. Filed Date: 7/28/15.
We have identified several issues that
Additional Information Accession Number: 20150728–5103.
we think deserve attention for our
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/5/15.
comparison of the new proposed route Additional information about the
and three alternatives based on a review Project is available from the Docket Numbers: RP15–1137–000.
of the proposed facilities and the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, Applicants: Kern River Gas
environmental information provided by at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web Transmission Company.
East Tennessee. This preliminary list of site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary Description: Section 4(d) Rate Filing:
issues may be changed based on your link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on 2015 NVE Converted Contracts to be
comments and our analysis. ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket effective 8/1/2015.
• Waterbodies; number, excluding the last three digits Filed Date: 7/28/15.
• karst geology, including caves; and in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP15– Accession Number: 20150728–5190.
• candidate and listed threatened or 91). Be sure you have selected an Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/10/15.
endangered species. appropriate date range. For assistance, The filings are accessible in the
Environmental Mailing List please contact FERC Online Support at Commission’s eLibrary system by
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free clicking on the links or querying the
The environmental mailing list at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact docket number.
includes federal, state, and local (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also Any person desiring to intervene or
government representatives and provides access to the texts of formal protest in any of the above proceedings
agencies; elected officials; documents issued by the Commission, must file in accordance with Rules 211
environmental and public interest such as orders, notices, and and 214 of the Commission’s
2 The appendices referenced in this notice are not
rulemakings. Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
being printed in the Federal Register. Copies of
In addition, the Commission offers a 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
appendices were sent to all those receiving this free service called eSubscription which time on the specified comment date.
notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov allows you to keep track of all formal Protests may be considered, but
using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ or from the issuances and submittals in specific intervention is necessary to become a
Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888 First
Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202)
dockets. This can reduce the amount of party to the proceeding.
502–8371. For instructions on connecting to time you spend researching proceedings eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. by automatically providing you with information relating to filing
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 14:50:59
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 14:50:59
| 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 46266 |
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