80_FR_9746 80 FR 9710 - Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Dalton Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues Related to a New Route Variation Under Consideration, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting

80 FR 9710 - Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Dalton Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues Related to a New Route Variation Under Consideration, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 36 (February 24, 2015)

Page Range9710-9712
FR Document2015-03648

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 36 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9710-9712]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03648]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF14-10-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Supplemental Notice 
of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Dalton 
Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues Related 
to a New Route Variation Under Consideration, and Notice of Public 
Scoping Meeting

    In response to concerns raised about the Dalton Expansion Project 
planned by the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC, (Transco), 
a new route variation is being considered. The Georgia Department of 
Natural Resources--Wildlife Resources Division, the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, and the Nature Conservancy requested a route 
variation in northern Paulding County, Georgia. Transco reviewed the 
requested variation and incorporated some changes for engineering and 
other considerations. The variation, referred to herein as the Raccoon 
Creek Watershed Variation (Transco Major Route Alternative H), is being 
considered to avoid and minimize potential environmental impacts on the 
biologically sensitive Raccoon Creek Watershed.
    This variation, which is described in further detail below, would 
affect new landowners; therefore, the Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission (FERC or Commission) is issuing this supplemental notice 
(Notice) to provide these new landowners and other interested parties 
an opportunity to comment on the merits of the route variation.
    The FERC is the lead federal agency responsible for conducting the 
environmental review of the Dalton Expansion Project (Project). The 
Commission's staff will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that 
discusses the environmental impacts of the Project. This EA will be 
used to inform the Commission as it determines whether the Project is 
in the public convenience and necessity.
    This Notice announces the opening of an additional scoping period 
the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies. Specifically, we are requesting comments on the Raccoon Creek 
Watershed Variation. Please note that comments on this Notice should be 
filed with the Commission by March 16, 2015.
    Comments on the route variation may be submitted in writing as 
described in the public participation section of this notice. In lieu 
of, or in addition to, submitting written comments, you are invited to 
attend a public scoping meeting on March 4, 2015 at the Dallas Civic 
Center in Dallas, Georgia.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Date and time                           Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 4, 2015, 7:00 p.m. EST...........  Dallas Civic Center, 121 E
                                          Griffin Street, Dallas, GA
                                          30132, (770) 445-5180.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    You have been identified as a landowner or an interested party that 
may be affected by the Raccoon Creek Watershed Variation or by the 
corresponding segment of the currently planned route. Information in 
this notice was prepared to familiarize you with this new route 
variation, the Project as a whole, the Commission's environmental 
review process, and instruct you on how to submit comments about the 
route variation under consideration. This notice is also being sent to 
federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. State and local 
government representatives should notify their constituents of this 
proposed route variation and encourage them to comment on their areas 
of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this Notice, a pipeline company 
representative may have already contacted you or may contact you soon 
about surveys associated with the Raccoon Creek Watershed Variation. If 
the company ultimately decides to

[[Page 9711]]

incorporate this route variation it would contact you again to acquire 
an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the pipeline. The 
company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. 
However, if the Commission approves the Project and the route 
variation, 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.
    To help potentially affected landowners and other interested 
parties better understand the Commission and its environmental review 
process, the ``For Citizens'' section of the FERC Web site 
(www.ferc.gov) provides information about getting involved in FERC 
jurisdictional projects. A citizens' guide entitled ``An Interstate 
Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need to Know?'' is also 
available in this section of the Commission's Web site. This guide 
addresses a number of frequently asked questions, including the use of 
eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings.

Dalton Expansion Project

    Transco plans to construct and operate about 111 miles of new 
natural gas pipeline and associated facilities in Coweta, Carroll, 
Douglas, Paulding, Bartow, Gordon, and Murray Counties, Georgia and a 
new compressor station in Carroll County, Georgia. Additionally, 
Transco plans to modify existing facilities along its mainline 
transmission system in Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina to 
accommodate bidirectional flow. Transco has indicated that the Project 
would provide 448,000 dekatherms per day of incremental firm 
transportation service to markets in northwest Georgia.

Summary of the Raccoon Creek Watershed Variation

    As stated previously, the Raccoon Creek Watershed Variation was 
created to avoid and minimize potential environmental impacts on the 
biologically sensitive Raccoon Creek Watershed. The Raccoon Creek 
Watershed covers about 35,000 acres, includes several high priority 
streams, significant wetlands, and provides habitat for numerous 
federally-listed threatened and endangered species. The route variation 
would originate at approximately milepost (MP) 44 of the planned route 
in northern Paulding County. The variation would extend in a 
northeasterly direction for approximately 9.0 miles before joining an 
existing utility easement and then extending northwest for another 1.5 
miles, rejoining the planned route at approximately MP 53 near the 
Paulding and Bartow County line.
    The general location of the Project facilities and the Raccoon 
Creek Watershed Variation are shown in appendix 1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us 
\2\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about 
proposals. This process is referred to as scoping. The main goal of the 
scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important 
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public 
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We will 
consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the Project under these general 
headings:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     endangered and threatened species;
     land use;
     socioeconomics;
     cultural resources;
     air quality and noise; and
     public safety.
    We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the Project or 
portions of the Project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Although no formal application has been filed, we began our NEPA 
review under the Commission's pre-filing process on April 25, 2014. The 
purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage the early involvement 
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before 
the FERC receives an application. As part of our pre-filing review, we 
contacted federal and state agencies to discuss preparation of the EA. 
During the process, the Raccoon Creek Watershed Variation was proposed. 
Transco will provide additional environmental data to present the 
potential impacts of the variation at a later date.
    The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA 
will be available in the public record through eLibrary. We will 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 of this notice.

Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation 
with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(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.\3\ We will define the Project-specific Area of 
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the Project 
develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum 
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include 
construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor 
stations, and access roads). Our EA for this Project will document our 
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status 
of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Participation

    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. The more specific 
your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that your 
comments are timely and properly

[[Page 9712]]

recorded, please send your comments so that the Commission receives 
them in Washington, DC on or before March 16, 2015.
    For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the 
Project docket number (PF14-10-000) with your submission. The 
Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert 
staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
    (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.

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 
planned Project.
    Copies of the 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 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

    Once Transco files its application with the Commission, 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. Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for 
intervenor status at this time. You must wait until the Commission 
receives a formal application for the Project.

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., PF14-
10). 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.
    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: February 13, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-03648 Filed 2-23-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P



                                              9710                             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices

                                              Power & Light Company, International                            888 First Street NE., Washington, DC                      Paulding County, Georgia. Transco
                                              Transmission Company, ITC Midwest                               20426.                                                    reviewed the requested variation and
                                              LLC, Michigan Electric Transmission                                This filing is accessible on-line at                   incorporated some changes for
                                              Company, LLC, MidAmerican Energy                                http://www.ferc.gov, using the                            engineering and other considerations.
                                              Company, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.,                          ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for                    The variation, referred to herein as the
                                              Northern Indiana Public Service                                 electronic review in the Commission’s                     Raccoon Creek Watershed Variation
                                              Company, Northern States Power                                  Public Reference Room in Washington,                      (Transco Major Route Alternative H), is
                                              Company-Minnesota, Northern States                              DC. There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on                 being considered to avoid and minimize
                                              Power Company Wisconsin, Otter Tail                             the Web site that enables subscribers to                  potential environmental impacts on the
                                              Power Company, and Southern Indiana                             receive email notification when a                         biologically sensitive Raccoon Creek
                                              Gas & Electric Company (collectively,                           document is added to a subscribed                         Watershed.
                                              Respondents), alleging that the current                         docket(s). For assistance with any FERC                      This variation, which is described in
                                              12.38% return on equity applicable to                           Online service, please email                              further detail below, would affect new
                                              transmission-owning members of the                              FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call                       landowners; therefore, the Federal
                                              Midcontinent Independent System                                 (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call                 Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC
                                              Operator, Inc., and the 12.2% ROE                               (202) 502–8659.                                           or Commission) is issuing this
                                              applicable to ATC are excessive and                                Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern                        supplemental notice (Notice) to provide
                                              should be reduced as of the date of the                         Time on March 4, 2015.                                    these new landowners and other
                                              Complaint.                                                        Dated: February 13, 2015.                               interested parties an opportunity to
                                                 The Joint Customer Complainants                              Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,                                  comment on the merits of the route
                                              certify that copies of the complaint were                       Deputy Secretary.                                         variation.
                                              served on the contacts for the                                  [FR Doc. 2015–03645 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am]                  The FERC is the lead federal agency
                                              Respondents as listed on the                                    BILLING CODE 6717–01–P                                    responsible for conducting the
                                              Commission’s list of Corporate Officials.                                                                                 environmental review of the Dalton
                                                 Any person desiring to intervene or to                                                                                 Expansion Project (Project). The
                                              protest this filing must file in                                DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY                                      Commission’s staff will prepare an
                                              accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of                                                                                      environmental assessment (EA) that
                                              the Commission’s Rules of Practice and                          Federal Energy Regulatory                                 discusses the environmental impacts of
                                              Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214).                            Commission                                                the Project. This EA will be used to
                                              Protests will be considered by the                              [Docket No. PF14–10–000]                                  inform the Commission as it determines
                                              Commission in determining the                                                                                             whether the Project is in the public
                                              appropriate action to be taken, but will                        Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line                            convenience and necessity.
                                              not serve to make protestants parties to                        Company, LLC; Supplemental Notice                            This Notice announces the opening of
                                              the proceeding. Any person wishing to                           of Intent to Prepare an Environmental                     an additional scoping period the
                                              become a party must file a notice of                            Assessment for the Planned Dalton                         Commission will use to gather input
                                              intervention or motion to intervene, as                         Expansion Project, Request for                            from the public and interested agencies.
                                              appropriate. The Respondents’ answer                            Comments on Environmental Issues                          Specifically, we are requesting
                                              and all interventions, or protests must                         Related to a New Route Variation                          comments on the Raccoon Creek
                                              be filed on or before the comment date.                         Under Consideration, and Notice of                        Watershed Variation. Please note that
                                              The Respondents’ answer, motions to                             Public Scoping Meeting                                    comments on this Notice should be filed
                                              intervene, and protests must be served                            In response to concerns raised about                    with the Commission by March 16,
                                              on the Complainants.                                            the Dalton Expansion Project planned                      2015.
                                                 The Commission encourages                                    by the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line                        Comments on the route variation may
                                              electronic submission of protests and                           Company, LLC, (Transco), a new route                      be submitted in writing as described in
                                              interventions in lieu of paper using the                        variation is being considered. The                        the public participation section of this
                                              ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://www.ferc.gov.                        Georgia Department of Natural                             notice. In lieu of, or in addition to,
                                              Persons unable to file electronically                           Resources—Wildlife Resources                              submitting written comments, you are
                                              should submit an original and 5 copies                          Division, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife                      invited to attend a public scoping
                                              of the protest or intervention to the                           Service, and the Nature Conservancy                       meeting on March 4, 2015 at the Dallas
                                              Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,                           requested a route variation in northern                   Civic Center in Dallas, Georgia.

                                                                                   Date and time                                                                                 Location

                                              March 4, 2015, 7:00 p.m. EST .................................................................   Dallas Civic Center, 121 E Griffin Street, Dallas, GA 30132, (770) 445–
                                                                                                                                                 5180.



                                                You have been identified as a                                 instruct you on how to submit                             notify their constituents of this
                                              landowner or an interested party that                           comments about the route variation                        proposed route variation and encourage
                                              may be affected by the Raccoon Creek                            under consideration. This notice is also                  them to comment on their areas of
                                              Watershed Variation or by the                                   being sent to federal, state, and local                   concern.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              corresponding segment of the currently                          government agencies; elected officials;                     If you are a landowner receiving this
                                              planned route. Information in this                              environmental and public interest                         Notice, a pipeline company
                                              notice was prepared to familiarize you                          groups; Native American tribes; other                     representative may have already
                                              with this new route variation, the                              interested parties; and local libraries                   contacted you or may contact you soon
                                              Project as a whole, the Commission’s                                                                                      about surveys associated with the
                                                                                                              and newspapers. State and local
                                                                                                                                                                        Raccoon Creek Watershed Variation. If
                                              environmental review process, and                               government representatives should
                                                                                                                                                                        the company ultimately decides to


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                                                                          Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices                                                          9711

                                              incorporate this route variation it would               a northeasterly direction for                          application. As part of our pre-filing
                                              contact you again to acquire an                         approximately 9.0 miles before joining                 review, we contacted federal and state
                                              easement to construct, operate, and                     an existing utility easement and then                  agencies to discuss preparation of the
                                              maintain the pipeline. The company                      extending northwest for another 1.5                    EA. During the process, the Raccoon
                                              would seek to negotiate a mutually                      miles, rejoining the planned route at                  Creek Watershed Variation was
                                              acceptable agreement. However, if the                   approximately MP 53 near the Paulding                  proposed. Transco will provide
                                              Commission approves the Project and                     and Bartow County line.                                additional environmental data to
                                              the route variation, that approval                        The general location of the Project                  present the potential impacts of the
                                              conveys with it the right of eminent                    facilities and the Raccoon Creek                       variation at a later date.
                                              domain. Therefore, if easement                          Watershed Variation are shown in                          The EA will present our independent
                                              negotiations fail to produce an                         appendix 1.1                                           analysis of the issues. The EA will be
                                              agreement, the pipeline company could                                                                          available in the public record through
                                              initiate condemnation proceedings                       The EA Process                                         eLibrary. We will also publish and
                                              where compensation would be                                The National Environmental Policy                   distribute the EA to the public for an
                                              determined in accordance with state                     Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to                  allotted comment period. We will
                                              law.                                                    take into account the environmental                    consider all comments on the EA before
                                                 To help potentially affected                         impacts that could result from an action               we make our recommendations to the
                                              landowners and other interested parties                 whenever it considers the issuance of a                Commission. To ensure we have the
                                              better understand the Commission and                    Certificate of Public Convenience and                  opportunity to consider and address
                                              its environmental review process, the                   Necessity. NEPA also requires us 2 to                  your comments, please carefully follow
                                              ‘‘For Citizens’’ section of the FERC Web                discover and address concerns the                      the instructions in the Public
                                              site (www.ferc.gov) provides information                public may have about proposals. This                  Participation section of this notice.
                                              about getting involved in FERC                          process is referred to as scoping. The
                                              jurisdictional projects. A citizens’ guide                                                                     Consultations Under Section 106 of the
                                                                                                      main goal of the scoping process is to
                                              entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas                                                                           National Historic Preservation Act
                                                                                                      focus the analysis in the EA on the
                                              Facility On My Land? What Do I Need                     important environmental issues. By this                  In accordance with the Advisory
                                              to Know?’’ is also available in this                    notice, the Commission requests public                 Council on Historic Preservation’s
                                              section of the Commission’s Web site.                   comments on the scope of the issues to                 implementing regulations for section
                                              This guide addresses a number of                        address in the EA. We will consider all                106 of the National Historic
                                              frequently asked questions, including                   filed comments during the preparation                  Preservation Act, we are using this
                                              the use of eminent domain and how to                    of the EA.                                             notice to initiate consultation with the
                                              participate in the Commission’s                            In the EA we will discuss impacts that              applicable State Historic Preservation
                                              proceedings.                                            could occur as a result of the                         Office(s), and to solicit their views and
                                              Dalton Expansion Project                                construction and operation of the                      those of other government agencies,
                                                                                                      Project under these general headings:                  interested Indian tribes, and the public
                                                 Transco plans to construct and                          • Geology and soils;                                on the Project’s potential effects on
                                              operate about 111 miles of new natural                     • water resources, fisheries, and                   historic properties.3 We will define the
                                              gas pipeline and associated facilities in               wetlands;                                              Project-specific Area of Potential Effects
                                              Coweta, Carroll, Douglas, Paulding,                        • vegetation and wildlife;                          (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as
                                              Bartow, Gordon, and Murray Counties,                       • endangered and threatened species;                the Project develops. On natural gas
                                              Georgia and a new compressor station in                    • land use;                                         facility projects, the APE at a minimum
                                              Carroll County, Georgia. Additionally,                     • socioeconomics;                                   encompasses all areas subject to ground
                                              Transco plans to modify existing                           • cultural resources;                               disturbance (examples include
                                              facilities along its mainline transmission                 • air quality and noise; and                        construction right-of-way, contractor/
                                              system in Maryland, Virginia, and North                    • public safety.                                    pipe storage yards, compressor stations,
                                              Carolina to accommodate bidirectional                      We will also evaluate possible                      and access roads). Our EA for this
                                              flow. Transco has indicated that the                    alternatives to the Project or portions of             Project will document our findings on
                                              Project would provide 448,000                           the Project, and make recommendations                  the impacts on historic properties and
                                              dekatherms per day of incremental firm                  on how to lessen or avoid impacts on                   summarize the status of consultations
                                              transportation service to markets in                    the various resource areas.                            under section 106.
                                              northwest Georgia.                                         Although no formal application has
                                                                                                      been filed, we began our NEPA review                   Public Participation
                                              Summary of the Raccoon Creek
                                                                                                      under the Commission’s pre-filing                        You can make a difference by
                                              Watershed Variation
                                                                                                      process on April 25, 2014. The purpose                 providing us with your specific
                                                As stated previously, the Raccoon                     of the pre-filing process is to encourage              comments or concerns about the Project.
                                              Creek Watershed Variation was created                   the early involvement of interested                    Your comments should focus on the
                                              to avoid and minimize potential                         stakeholders and to identify and resolve               potential environmental effects,
                                              environmental impacts on the                            issues before the FERC receives an                     reasonable alternatives, and measures to
                                              biologically sensitive Raccoon Creek                                                                           avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
                                              Watershed. The Raccoon Creek                              1 The appendices referenced in this notice will
                                                                                                                                                             The more specific your comments, the
                                              Watershed covers about 35,000 acres,                    not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the
                                                                                                                                                             more useful they will be. To ensure that
                                              includes several high priority streams,                 appendices were sent to all those receiving this
                                                                                                      notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov   your comments are timely and properly
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              significant wetlands, and provides                      using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ or from the
                                              habitat for numerous federally-listed                   Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888 First            3 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

                                              threatened and endangered species. The                  Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202)        regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal
                                              route variation would originate at                      502–8371. For instructions on connecting to            Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define
                                                                                                      eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.       historic properties as any prehistoric or historic
                                              approximately milepost (MP) 44 of the                     2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the           district, site, building, structure, or object included
                                              planned route in northern Paulding                      environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of      in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register
                                              County. The variation would extend in                   Energy Projects.                                       of Historic Places.



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                                              9712                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 36 / Tuesday, February 24, 2015 / Notices

                                              recorded, please send your comments so                  review and comment. If you would                        Dated: February 13, 2015.
                                              that the Commission receives them in                    prefer to receive a paper copy of the                 Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
                                              Washington, DC on or before March 16,                   document instead of the CD version or                 Deputy Secretary.
                                              2015.                                                   would like to remove your name from                   [FR Doc. 2015–03648 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am]
                                                 For your convenience, there are three                the mailing list, please return the                   BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                              methods you can use to submit your                      attached Information Request (appendix
                                              comments to the Commission. In all                      2).
                                              instances, please reference the Project                                                                       DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                              docket number (PF14–10–000) with                        Becoming an Intervenor
                                              your submission. The Commission                                                                               Federal Energy Regulatory
                                              encourages electronic filing of                           Once Transco files its application                  Commission
                                              comments and has expert staff available                 with the Commission, you may want to
                                                                                                      become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an                  [Apple, Inc.; Project No. 14430–004]
                                              to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or
                                              efiling@ferc.gov.                                       official party to the Commission’s                    Notice of Transfer of Exemption
                                                 (1) You can file your comments                       proceeding. Intervenors play a more
                                              electronically using the eComment                       formal role in the process and are able                  1. By letter filed January 9, 2014,
                                              feature located on the Commission’s                     to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be            Apple, Inc. informed the Commission
                                              Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link                  heard by the courts if they choose to                 that the exemption from licensing for
                                              to Documents and Filings. This is an                    appeal the Commission’s final ruling.                 the Monroe Drop Hydroelectric Project,
                                              easy method for interested persons to                   An intervenor formally participates in                FERC No. 14430, originally issued
                                              submit brief, text-only comments on a                   the proceeding by filing a request to                 August 1, 2014,1 has been transferred
                                              project;                                                intervene. Instructions for becoming an               from Monroe Hydro, LLC to Apple, Inc.
                                                 (2) You can file your comments                                                                             The proposed project would be located
                                                                                                      intervenor are in the User’s Guide under
                                              electronically using the eFiling feature                                                                      on North Unit Irrigations District’s main
                                                                                                      the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s
                                              located on the Commission’s Web site                                                                          irrigation canal near the town of Culver
                                                                                                      Web site. Please note that the
                                              (www.ferc.gov) under the link to                                                                              in Jefferson County, Oregon. The
                                              Documents and Filings. With eFiling,                    Commission will not accept requests for               transfer of an exemption does not
                                              you can provide comments in a variety                   intervenor status at this time. You must              require Commission approval.
                                              of formats by attaching them as a file                  wait until the Commission receives a                     2. Apple, Inc. is now the exemptee for
                                              with your submission. New eFiling                       formal application for the Project.                   the Monroe Drop Hydroelectric Project,
                                              users must first create an account by                   Additional Information                                FERC No. 14430. All correspondence
                                              clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ You must select                                                                    should be forwarded to: Apple, Inc.,
                                              the type of filing you are making. If you                  Additional information about the                   Attn: Mr. Nathan Fleisher, 1 Infinite
                                              are filing a comment on a particular                    Project is available from the                         Loop, MS: 119–REF, Cupertino, CA
                                              project, please select ‘‘Comment on a                   Commission’s Office of External Affairs,              95014.
                                              Filing’’; or                                            at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web                   Dated: February 18, 2015.
                                                 (3) You can file a paper copy of your                site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary                Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
                                              comments by mailing them to the                         link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on            Deputy Secretary.
                                              following address: Kimberly D. Bose,                    ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket               [FR Doc. 2015–03745 Filed 2–23–15; 8:45 am]
                                              Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory                    number, excluding the last three digits               BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
                                              Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room                  in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF14–
                                              1A, Washington, DC 20426.                               10). Be sure you have selected an
                                              Environmental Mailing List                              appropriate date range. For assistance,               DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
                                                 The environmental mailing list                       please contact FERC Online Support at
                                                                                                      FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free               Federal Energy Regulatory
                                              includes federal, state, and local
                                                                                                      at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact                Commission
                                              government representatives and
                                              agencies; elected officials;                            (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also                [Docket No. ER15–1045–000]
                                              environmental and public interest                       provides access to the texts of formal
                                              groups; Native American Tribes; other                   documents issued by the Commission,                   Pilot Hill Wind, LLC; Supplemental
                                              interested parties; and local libraries                 such as orders, notices, and                          Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate
                                              and newspapers. This list also includes                 rulemakings.                                          Filing Includes Request for Blanket
                                              all affected landowners (as defined in                                                                        Section 204 Authorization
                                                                                                         In addition, the Commission offers a
                                              the Commission’s regulations) who are                   free service called eSubscription which                 This is a supplemental notice in the
                                              potential right-of-way grantors, whose                  allows you to keep track of all formal                above-referenced proceeding of Pilot
                                              property may be used temporarily for                    issuances and submittals in specific                  Hill Wind, LLC’s application for market-
                                              Project purposes, or who own homes                      dockets. This can reduce the amount of                based rate authority, with an
                                              within certain distances of aboveground                 time you spend researching proceedings                accompanying rate tariff, noting that
                                              facilities, and anyone who submits                      by automatically providing you with                   such application includes a request for
                                              comments on the Project. We will                        notification of these filings, document               blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
                                              update the environmental mailing list as                summaries, and direct links to the                    part 34, of future issuances of securities
                                              the analysis proceeds to ensure that we                                                                       and assumptions of liability.
                                                                                                      documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES




                                              send the information related to this                                                                            Any person desiring to intervene or to
                                                                                                      filing/esubscription.asp.
                                              environmental review to all individuals,                                                                      protest should file with the Federal
                                              organizations, and government entities                     Finally, public meetings or site visits            Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
                                              interested in and/or potentially affected               will be posted on the Commission’s                    First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426,
                                              by the planned Project.                                 calendar located at www.ferc.gov/
                                                 Copies of the EA will be sent to the                 EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along                     1 148 FERC ¶ 62,098, Order Granting Exemption

                                              environmental mailing list for public                   with other related information.                       from Licensing (Conduit).



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Document Created: 2015-12-18 13:23:17
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 13:23:17
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
FR Citation80 FR 9710 

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