80 FR 80353 - Notice of Availability of the Draft Guidance Manual for Environmental Report Preparation and Request for Comments
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 247 (December 24, 2015)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 247 (December 24, 2015)
| Page Range | 80353-80354 | |
| FR Document | 2015-32398 |
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 247 (Thursday, December 24, 2015)] [Notices] [Pages 80353-80354] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2015-32398] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. AD16-3-000] Notice of Availability of the Draft Guidance Manual for Environmental Report Preparation and Request for Comments The staff of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP) has revised its Guidance Manual for Environmental Report Preparation (Guidance Manual), dated August 2002, to incorporate regulation changes and provide updated guidance on how to prepare resource reports and how interstate and liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects may demonstrate compliance with certain regulatory requirements. The staff is asking for public input and suggestions for modifications to the Guidance Manual from federal and state agencies, Native American tribes, environmental consultants, inspectors, the natural gas industry, construction contractors, and other interested parties with special expertise in regards to preparation of resource reports associated with natural gas projects. Please note that this comment period will close on January 19, 2016. The OEP staff anticipates issuing our final updated version of the Guidance Manual in early 2016. We will consider all timely comments on the draft before issuing the final version. The revised Guidance Manual, for which we are seeking comment, can be found in Docket Number AD16-3-000. The full text of the 2002 version of the Guidance Manual can be viewed on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) Web site at http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/guidelines.asp and can be used as a reference to see the changes made. Applicable sections of the Code of Federal Regulations Title 18 are referenced or summarized throughout the Guidance Manual. We stress that OEP staff is not seeking comment on any existing regulations or contemplating any changes to regulations within the context of the Guidance Manual. The Guidance Manual is not the appropriate vehicle for changes to federal regulations. Comments pertaining to our regulations will not be considered as we develop the final Guidance Manual. The Guidance Manual is divided into two volumes. Volume 1 relates to the preparation of resource reports for both interstate natural gas projects and Commission jurisdictional LNG facilities. Volume 2 is specific to LNG facilities and includes supplemental information needed to comply with: 18 CFR 380.12(h)(5) to demonstrate information reflected in National Bureau of Standards Information Report (NBSIR) 84-2833; 18 CFR 380.12(m) to demonstrate the potential hazard to the public from failure of facility components resulting from natural catastrophes; and 18 CFR 380.12(o) to demonstrate the proposed engineering design would be safe and reliable and would likely comply with the regulatory requirements in 49 CFR 193. Volume 2 is intended to replace a series of guidance documents that were previously developed and issued by staff to assist in the preparation and review of LNG applications. Specifically, Volume 2 is meant to replace Draft Guidance on Resource Report 11 and 13 issued on December 15, 2005, Draft Preferred Format Submittal Guidance issued on April 12, 2006, and Draft FERC Seismic Design Guidelines and Data Submittal Requirements for LNG Facilities issued on January 23, 2007. The previous versions of these documents should be considered obsolete. Interested parties can help us determine the appropriate updates and improvements by providing comments or suggestions that focus on the specific sections of the Guidance Manual requiring clarification, updates to reflect current laws and regulations, or additional information that should be included in each resource report. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. A detailed explanation of the rationale underlying your suggested modifications and/or any references to scientific studies associated with your comments would greatly help us with this process. For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the docket number (AD16-3-000) with your submission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or [email protected]. (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 interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments; (2) You can file your comments electronically 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.'' You must select the type of filing you are making, 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. All of the information related to the proposed updates to the Guidance Manual and submitted comments can be found 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., AD16- 3). 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 [[Page 80354]] 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: December 18, 2015. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2015-32398 Filed 12-23-15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices 80353
Filed Date: 12/18/15. Manual in early 2016. We will consider current laws and regulations, or
Accession Number: 20151218–5038. all timely comments on the draft before additional information that should be
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 1/8/16. issuing the final version. included in each resource report. The
The filings are accessible in the The revised Guidance Manual, for more specific your comments, the more
Commission’s eLibrary system by which we are seeking comment, can be useful they will be. A detailed
clicking on the links or querying the found in Docket Number AD16–3–000. explanation of the rationale underlying
docket number. The full text of the 2002 version of the your suggested modifications and/or
Any person desiring to intervene or Guidance Manual can be viewed on the any references to scientific studies
protest in any of the above proceedings Federal Energy Regulatory Commission associated with your comments would
must file in accordance with Rules 211 (FERC or Commission) Web site at http: greatly help us with this process.
and 214 of the Commission’s //www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/ For your convenience, there are three
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and guidelines.asp and can be used as a methods you can use to submit your
385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern reference to see the changes made. comments to the Commission. In all
Applicable sections of the Code of instances, please reference the docket
time on the specified comment date.
Federal Regulations Title 18 are number (AD16–3–000) with your
Protests may be considered, but
referenced or summarized throughout submission. The Commission
intervention is necessary to become a
the Guidance Manual. We stress that encourages electronic filing of
party to the proceeding.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed OEP staff is not seeking comment on comments and has expert staff available
any existing regulations or to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or
information relating to filing
contemplating any changes to efiling@ferc.gov.
requirements, interventions, protests,
regulations within the context of the (1) You can file your comments
service, and qualifying facilities filings
Guidance Manual. The Guidance electronically using the eComment
can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/
Manual is not the appropriate vehicle feature on the Commission’s Web site
docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For
for changes to federal regulations. (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
other information, call (866) 208–3676
Comments pertaining to our regulations Documents and Filings. This is an easy
(toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659.
will not be considered as we develop method for interested persons to submit
Dated: December 18, 2015. the final Guidance Manual. brief, text-only comments;
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., The Guidance Manual is divided into (2) You can file your comments
Deputy Secretary. two volumes. Volume 1 relates to the electronically using the eFiling feature
[FR Doc. 2015–32399 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am] preparation of resource reports for both on the Commission’s Web site
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
interstate natural gas projects and (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Commission jurisdictional LNG Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
facilities. Volume 2 is specific to LNG you can provide comments in a variety
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY facilities and includes supplemental of formats by attaching them as a file
information needed to comply with: 18 with your submission. New eFiling
Federal Energy Regulatory CFR 380.12(h)(5) to demonstrate users must first create an account by
Commission information reflected in National clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ You must select
Bureau of Standards Information Report the type of filing you are making, select
[Docket No. AD16–3–000]
(NBSIR) 84–2833; 18 CFR 380.12(m) to ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’; or
Notice of Availability of the Draft demonstrate the potential hazard to the (3) You can file a paper copy of your
Guidance Manual for Environmental public from failure of facility comments by mailing them to the
Report Preparation and Request for components resulting from natural following address: Kimberly D. Bose,
Comments catastrophes; and 18 CFR 380.12(o) to Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
demonstrate the proposed engineering Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room
The staff of the Office of Energy design would be safe and reliable and 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Projects (OEP) has revised its Guidance would likely comply with the regulatory All of the information related to the
Manual for Environmental Report requirements in 49 CFR 193. Volume 2 proposed updates to the Guidance
Preparation (Guidance Manual), dated is intended to replace a series of Manual and submitted comments can be
August 2002, to incorporate regulation guidance documents that were found on the FERC Web site
changes and provide updated guidance previously developed and issued by (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link.
on how to prepare resource reports and staff to assist in the preparation and Click on the eLibrary link, click on
how interstate and liquefied natural gas review of LNG applications. ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket
(LNG) projects may demonstrate Specifically, Volume 2 is meant to number, excluding the last three digits
compliance with certain regulatory replace Draft Guidance on Resource in the Docket Number field (i.e., AD16–
requirements. The staff is asking for Report 11 and 13 issued on December 3). Be sure you have selected an
public input and suggestions for 15, 2005, Draft Preferred Format appropriate date range. For assistance,
modifications to the Guidance Manual Submittal Guidance issued on April 12, please contact FERC Online Support at
from federal and state agencies, Native 2006, and Draft FERC Seismic Design FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free
American tribes, environmental Guidelines and Data Submittal at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact
consultants, inspectors, the natural gas Requirements for LNG Facilities issued (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also
industry, construction contractors, and on January 23, 2007. The previous provides access to the texts of formal
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
other interested parties with special versions of these documents should be documents issued by the Commission,
expertise in regards to preparation of considered obsolete. such as orders, notices, and
resource reports associated with natural Interested parties can help us rulemakings.
gas projects. Please note that this determine the appropriate updates and In addition, the Commission offers a
comment period will close on January improvements by providing comments free service called eSubscription which
19, 2016. or suggestions that focus on the specific allows you to keep track of all formal
The OEP staff anticipates issuing our sections of the Guidance Manual issuances and submittals in specific
final updated version of the Guidance requiring clarification, updates to reflect dockets. This can reduce the amount of
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![80354 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 247 / Thursday, December 24, 2015 / Notices
time you spend researching proceedings Project Description The primary issues raised by the
by automatically providing you with Tennessee proposes to build four new commentors included concerns about
notification of these filings, document compressor stations and add potential impacts on organic farms and
summaries, and direct links to the compression at two existing compressor wildlife, including Walden’s Puddle
documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs- stations. Tennessee also proposes to Wildlife Rehabilitation Center; air
filing/esubscription.asp. improve efficiency and reduce certain quality and noise impacts; public safety;
Dated: December 18, 2015. emissions by replacing older existing and aspects of the FERC process.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., compression facilities on its system Additional Information
Deputy Secretary. with newer compressor units. In order to receive notification of the
[FR Doc. 2015–32398 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am] The Project would include issuance of the EA and to keep track of
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
construction and operation of the all formal issuances and submittals in
following facilities: specific dockets, the Commission offers
• Two new compressor stations in a free service called eSubscription. This
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Kanawha County, West Virginia, to be can reduce the amount of time spent
known as the Tyler Mountain researching proceedings by
Federal Energy Regulatory Compressor Station (CS 118A) and the automatically providing notification of
Commission Rocky Fork Compressor Station (CS these filings, document summaries, and
119A); direct links to the documents. Go to
[Docket No. CP15–77–000] • a new compressor station in www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
Madison County, Kentucky, to be esubscription.asp.
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, known as the Richmond Compressor The FERC’s eLibrary system can also
L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for Station (CS 875); be used to search formal issuances and
Environmental Review of the Broad • a new compressor station in submittals from the public docket. To
Run Expansion Project Davidson County, Tennessee, to be use, select the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, select
known as the Pinnacle Compressor ‘‘General Search’’ from the eLibrary
On January 30, 2015, Tennessee Gas Station (CS 563); and menu located at www.ferc.gov/docs-
Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (Tennessee) • modifications (including filing/elibrary.asp, enter the selected
filed an application in Docket No. abandonment and replacement of date range and ‘‘Docket Number’’
CP15–77–000 pursuant to sections 7(b) certain compression units, system excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, components, and associated facilities) at CP15–77), and follow the instructions.
requesting a certificate of public the existing Clay City Compressor For assistance with access to eLibrary,
convenience and necessity to construct, Station in Powell County, Kentucky (CS the helpline can be reached at (866)
operate, and maintain certain natural 106), and the existing Catlettsburg 208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or at
gas pipeline facilities, and authorization Compressor Station in Boyd County, FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The
to abandon certain facilities, collectively Kentucky (CS 114). eLibrary link on the FERC Web site also
known as the Broad Run Expansion provides access to the texts of formal
Project (Project). The Project purpose is Background
documents issued by the Commission,
to provide an additional 200,000 On May 1, 2015, the Commission such as orders, notices, and rule
dekatherms per day of firm incremental issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an makings.
transportation service through Environmental Assessment for the Additional information about the
construction of new compressor stations Proposed Broad Run Expansion Project Project is available from the
and replacement of compression and Request for Comments on Commission’s Office of External Affairs
facilities in West Virginia, Kentucky; Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC Web
and Tennessee. was sent to affected landowners; federal, site (www.ferc.gov).
On February 12, 2015, the Federal state, and local government agencies;
Energy Regulatory Commission Dated: December 18, 2015.
elected officials; environmental and
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
public interest groups; Native American
of Application for the Project. The tribes; other interested parties; and local Deputy Secretary.
notice alerted agencies responsible for libraries and newspapers. In response to [FR Doc. 2015–32403 Filed 12–23–15; 8:45 am]
issuing federal authorizations of the Tennessee’s application and the NOI, BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
requirement to complete necessary the Commission received comments
reviews and reach a final decision on a from many affected landowners,
request for a federal authorization interested individuals and DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
within 90 days of the date of issuance organizations, elected officials, and
of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Federal Energy Regulatory
agencies. Commentors included U.S. Commission
prepared by Commission staff. This Representative Andy Barr, Kentucky
Notice of Schedule identifies the State Representative Terry Mills, U.S. [Docket Nos. CP14–554–000; CP15–16–000;
Commission staff’s planned schedule for Fish and Wildlife Service, Kentucky CP15–17–000]
the completion of the EA for the Project. Department for Environmental
Florida Southeast Connection, LLC;
Schedule for Environmental Review Protection, Madison County Fiscal
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Court, Allegheny Defense Project,
Issuance of EA March 11, 2016 Company, LLC; Sabal Trail
Concerned Citizens for a Safe
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Transmission, LLC; Notice of
Environment, Freshwater
Deadline June 9, 2016 Availability of the Final Environmental
Accountability Project, Heartwood,
Impact Statement for the Proposed
If a schedule change becomes Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition,
Southeast Market Pipelines Project
necessary, additional notice will be Tennessee Valley Authority, ByFaith
provided so the relevant agencies are Farm LLC, and Walden’s Puddle The staff of the Federal Energy
kept informed of the Project’s progress. Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Regulatory Commission (FERC or
VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:57 Dec 23, 2015 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\24DEN1.SGM 24DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/80_FR_80600/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2015-12-24 02:25:14
Document Modified: 2015-12-24 02:25:14
| 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 80353 |
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