80 FR 51551 - Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed TP-371 Pipeline Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 164 (August 25, 2015)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 164 (August 25, 2015)
| Page Range | 51551-51553 | |
| FR Document | 2015-20991 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 164 (Tuesday, August 25, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 51551-51553] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-20991] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP15-528-000] Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed TP-371 Pipeline Replacement 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 TP-371 Pipeline Replacement Project (TP-371 Project) involving abandonment and the construction and operation of replacement facilities by Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) in Armstrong and Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania. 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 September 18, 2015. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on July 10, 2015, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP15-528-000 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 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. Equitrans 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 [[Page 51552]] 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 (CP15-528-000) 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 Equitrans is seeking a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to construct and operate a natural gas transmission pipeline and related facilities in Armstrong and Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania, and permission under Section 7(b) of the NGA to abandon in place an adjacent, existing segment of pipeline. No change in the transportation capacity of the existing pipeline system is proposed. According to Equitrans, its project would upgrade the existing system to allow for in-line inspection and improve the operational efficiency and reliability. The TP-371 Project would consist of the following facilities:Construction of about 21.0 miles of new 20-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline mostly adjacent to the abandoned pipeline extending from Equitrans' existing pipeline system in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania to the Egry Interconnect in Indiana County, Pennsylvania (the replacement segment); abandonment of about 21.0 miles of existing 12-inch- diameter natural gas pipeline (the existing segment) that primarily parallels the replacement segment; installation of a pig \1\ launcher/receiver facility; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ A ``pig'' is a device to clean or inspect the pipeline. A pig launcher/receiver is an aboveground facility where pigs are inserted or retrieved from the pipeline. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- installation of five mainline valve sites; transfer of seven tie-in locations from the existing facilities to the replacement segment; construction of two new ground beds for cathodic protection, and modification of a third; temporary and permanent access roads; and temporary laydown/contractor yards. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the 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 329 acres of land for the pipeline and facilities, including lands needed for abandonment of the existing segment and facilities. Following construction, Equitrans would maintain about 131 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. About 95 percent of the proposed pipeline route parallels the existing segment and overlaps Equitrans existing right-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 \3\ 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ ``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 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. 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 we make 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 related to this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA.\4\ 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. Currently, no agencies have expressed their intention to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA to satisfy their NEPA responsibilities related to this project. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ 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 [[Page 51553]] notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 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.\5\ We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s) 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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 ``Document-less Intervention Guide'' under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site. Motions to intervene are more fully described at http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. 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- 528). 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: August 19, 2015. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-20991 Filed 8-24-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 164 / Tuesday, August 25, 2015 / Notices 51551
within 90 days of this Notice the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY the TP–371 Pipeline Replacement
Commission staff will either: Complete Project (TP–371 Project) involving
its environmental assessment (EA) and Federal Energy Regulatory abandonment and the construction and
place it into the Commission’s public Commission operation of replacement facilities by
record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) in Armstrong
Notice of Commission Staff and Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania.
issue a Notice of Schedule for
Attendance The Commission will use this EA in its
Environmental Review. If a Notice of
Schedule for Environmental Review is The Federal Energy Regulatory decision-making process to determine
issued, it will indicate, among other Commission (Commission) hereby gives whether the project is in the public
milestones, the anticipated date for the notice that members of the convenience and necessity.
Commission staff’s issuance of the final Commission’s staff may attend the This notice announces the opening of
environmental impact statement (FEIS) following meeting related to the the scoping process the Commission
or EA for this proposal. The filing of the transmission planning activities of the will use to gather input from the public
Florida Reliability Coordinating and interested agencies on the project.
EA in the Commission’s public record
Council, Inc.’s (FRCC) Regional You can make a difference by providing
for this proceeding or the issuance of a
Transmission Planning Process. us with your specific comments or
Notice of Schedule for Environmental concerns about the project. Your
Review will serve to notify federal and The FRCC Open Stakeholder Meeting comments should focus on the potential
state agencies of the timing for the environmental effects, reasonable
completion of all necessary reviews, and August 26, 2015, 9:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m.
(Eastern Time) alternatives, and measures to avoid or
the subsequent need to complete all lessen environmental impacts. Your
federal authorizations within 90 days of The above-referenced meeting will be input will help the Commission staff
the date of issuance of the Commission via Web conference. determine what issues they need to
staff’s FEIS or EA. The above-referenced meeting is open evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your
to stakeholders. comments are timely and properly
Persons who wish to comment only
Further information may be found at: recorded, please send your comments so
on the environmental review of this https://www.frcc.com/order1000/
project should submit an original and that the Commission receives them in
default.aspx. Washington, DC on or before September
two copies of their comments to the The discussions at the meeting
Secretary of the Commission. 18, 2015.
described above may address matters at If you sent comments on this project
Environmental commenter’s will be issue in the following proceedings:
placed on the Commission’s to the Commission before the opening of
Docket No. ER13–80–006, Tampa this docket on July 10, 2015, you will
environmental mailing list, will receive Electric Company. need to file those comments in Docket
copies of the environmental documents, Docket No. ER13–86–006, Duke Energy No. CP15–528–000 to ensure they are
and will be notified of meetings Carolinas, LLC. considered as part of this proceeding.
associated with the Commission’s Docket No. ER13–104–007, Florida This notice is being sent to the
environmental review process. Power & Light Company. Commission’s current environmental
Environmental commenter’s will not be Docket No. NJ15–15–000, Orlando mailing list for this project. State and
required to serve copies of filed Utilities Commission. local government representatives should
documents on all other parties. For more information, contact Rhonda notify their constituents of this
However, the non-party commentary, Jones, Office of Energy Market proposed project and encourage them to
will not receive copies of all documents Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory comment on their areas of concern.
filed by other parties or issued by the Commission at (202) 502–6154 or If you are a landowner receiving this
Commission (except for the mailing of Rhonda.Jones@ferc.gov. notice, a pipeline company
environmental documents issued by the Dated: August 19, 2015. representative may contact you about
Commission) and will not have the right Kimberly D. Bose, the acquisition of an easement to
to seek court review of the construct, operate, and maintain the
Secretary.
Commission’s final order. proposed facilities. The company would
[FR Doc. 2015–20989 Filed 8–24–15; 8:45 am]
The Commission strongly encourages seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
electronic filings of comments, protests agreement. However, if the Commission
and interventions in lieu of paper using approves the project, that approval
the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http:// DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY conveys with it the right of eminent
www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file domain. Therefore, if easement
Federal Energy Regulatory negotiations fail to produce an
electronically should submit an original
Commission agreement, the pipeline company could
and 7 copies of the protest or
initiate condemnation proceedings
intervention to the Federal Energy [Docket No. CP15–528–000] where compensation would be
regulatory Commission, 888 First Street determined in accordance with state
NE., Washington, DC 20426. Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Assessment law.
Dated: August 19, 2015. Equitrans provided landowners with a
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
for the Proposed TP–371 Pipeline
Kimberly D. Bose, Replacement Project and Request for fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled
Secretary. Comments on Environmental Issues ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On
[FR Doc. 2015–20983 Filed 8–24–15; 8:45 am]
My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’
The staff of the Federal Energy This fact sheet addresses a number of
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Regulatory Commission (FERC or typically asked questions, including the
Commission) will prepare an use of eminent domain and how to
environmental assessment (EA) that will participate in the Commission’s
discuss the environmental impacts of proceedings. It is also available for
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![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 164 / Tuesday, August 25, 2015 / Notices 51553
notice to initiate consultation with the to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978
applicable State Historic Preservation heard by the courts if they choose to (PURPA), 16 U.S.C. 824a–3(h)(2006) and
Office(s), and to solicit their views and appeal the Commission’s final ruling. Rule 207(a)(2) of the Federal Energy
those of other government agencies, An intervenor formally participates in Regulatory Commission’s (Commission)
interested Indian tribes, and the public the proceeding by filing a request to Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR
on the project’s potential effects on intervene. Instructions for becoming an 385.207(a)(2), Greycliff Wind Prime,
historic properties.5 We will define the intervenor are in the ‘‘Document-less LLC (Greycliff or Petitioner) filed a
project-specific Area of Potential Effects Intervention Guide’’ under the ‘‘e-filing’’ petition for declaratory order requesting
(APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s) link on the Commission’s Web site. that the Commission take enforcement
as the project develops. On natural gas Motions to intervene are more fully action under section 210(h) of PURPA
facility projects, the APE at a minimum described at http://www.ferc.gov/ against the Montana Public Service
encompasses all areas subject to ground resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. Commission (MPSC) for its continued
disturbance (examples include reliance on A.R.M. 38.5.1902(5)
Additional Information
construction right-of-way, contractor/ (Montana Rule), or in the alternative,
pipe storage yards, compressor stations, Additional information about the Greycliff seeks a declaratory order
and access roads). Our EA for this project is available from the finding that the MPSC’s continued
project will document our findings on Commission’s Office of External Affairs, reliance on the Montana Rule, and
the impacts on historic properties and at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web MPSC decisions interpreting the
summarize the status of consultations site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary Montana Rule, fail to implement PURPA
under section 106. link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on and the Commission’s regulations
‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket thereunder, alleging that the Montana
Environmental Mailing List number, excluding the last three digits Rule eliminates the rights of qualifying
The environmental mailing list in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP15– facilities to create a legally enforceable
includes federal, state, and local 528). Be sure you have selected an obligation and to choose how to sell
government representatives and appropriate date range. For assistance, their energy capacity, as more fully
agencies; elected officials; please contact FERC Online Support at explained in the petition.
environmental and public interest FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free Any person desiring to intervene or to
groups; Native American Tribes; other at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact protest this filing must file in
interested parties; and local libraries (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of
and newspapers. This list also includes provides access to the texts of formal the Commission’s Rules of Practice and
all affected landowners (as defined in documents issued by the Commission, Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214).
the Commission’s regulations) who are such as orders, notices, and Protests will be considered by the
potential right-of-way grantors, whose rulemakings. Commission in determining the
property may be used temporarily for In addition, the Commission offers a appropriate action to be taken, but will
project purposes, or who own homes free service called eSubscription which not serve to make protestants parties to
within certain distances of aboveground allows you to keep track of all formal the proceeding. Any person wishing to
facilities, and anyone who submits issuances and submittals in specific become a party must file a notice of
comments on the project. We will dockets. This can reduce the amount of intervention or motion to intervene, as
update the environmental mailing list as time you spend researching proceedings appropriate. Such notices, motions, or
the analysis proceeds to ensure that we by automatically providing you with protests must be filed on or before the
send the information related to this notification of these filings, document comment date. Anyone filing a motion
environmental review to all individuals, summaries, and direct links to the to intervene or protest must serve a copy
organizations, and government entities documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs- of that document on the Petitioner.
interested in and/or potentially affected filing/esubscription.asp. The Commission encourages
Finally, public meetings or site visits electronic submission of protests and
by the proposed project.
If we publish and distribute the EA, will be posted on the Commission’s interventions in lieu of paper using the
copies will be sent to the environmental calendar located at www.ferc.gov/ ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://www.ferc.gov.
mailing list for public review and EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along Persons unable to file electronically
comment. If you would prefer to receive with other related information. should submit an original and 5 copies
a paper copy of the document instead of Dated: August 19, 2015. of the protest or intervention to the
the CD version or would like to remove Kimberly D. Bose, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
your name from the mailing list, please Secretary. 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
return the attached Information Request [FR Doc. 2015–20991 Filed 8–24–15; 8:45 am]
20426.
(appendix 2). This filing is accessible on-line at
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
http://www.ferc.gov, using the
Becoming an Intervenor ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for
In addition to involvement in the EA DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY review in the Commission’s Public
scoping process, you may want to Reference Room in Washington, DC.
become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an Federal Energy Regulatory There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on the
official party to the Commission’s Commission Web site that enables subscribers to
receive email notification when a
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
proceeding. Intervenors play a more [Docket No. EL15–91–000; Docket No.
formal role in the process and are able document is added to a subscribed
QF15–885–001]
docket(s). For assistance with any FERC
5 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Greycliff Wind Prime, LLC; Greycliff Online service, please email
regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Wind Prime, LLC; Notice of Petition for FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call
Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
historic properties as any prehistoric or historic Declaratory Order
district, site, building, structure, or object included (202) 502–8659.
in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register Take notice that on August 17, 2015, Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
of Historic Places. pursuant to section 210(h) of the Public on September 16, 2015.
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Document Created: 2018-02-23 11:03:05
Document Modified: 2018-02-23 11:03:05
| 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 51551 |
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