81 FR 18621 - Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Atlantic Bridge Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 62 (March 31, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 62 (Thursday, March 31, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18621-18622]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-07261]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-9-000]


Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, 
LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Atlantic Bridge 
Project

    On October 22, 2015, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC and Maritimes 
& Northeast Pipeline, LLC, collectively referred to as the Applicants 
filed an application in Docket No. CP16-9-000 requesting a Certificate 
of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7 of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct, abandon, and operate certain natural gas 
pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the Atlantic 
Bridge Project (Project), and would allow the Applicants to provide an 
additional 132.7 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas to 
customers in Massachusetts, Maine, and Canada.
    On November 5, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice 
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the 
EA for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA May 2, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline July 31, 2016

    If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    The proposed Project includes replacing about 6.3 miles of existing 
26-inch-diameter mainline pipeline with 42-inch-diameter pipeline in 
two segments in Westchester County, New York and Fairfield County, 
Connecticut.
    In addition to the pipeline facilities, the Applicants propose to 
modify or construct four compressor stations in Rockland County, New 
York; New Haven and Windham Counties, Connecticut; and Norfolk County, 
Massachusetts adding a total of 26,500 horsepower. The Applicants also 
propose to modify/construct/remove seven metering and/or regulating 
stations in New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine.

Background

    On April 27, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Atlantic Bridge 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI 
was issued during the pre-filing review of the Project in Docket No. 
PF15-12-000 and was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and 
local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public 
interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and 
local libraries and newspapers. Major issues raised during scoping 
primarily focused on a variety of environmental impacts from the 
proposed Weymouth Compressor Station in Massachusetts. Commenters also 
stated concerns about impacts on water supplies, wetlands, vegetation, 
wildlife, air quality, and safety. The U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency is a federal cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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.
    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs

[[Page 18622]]

at (866) 208-FERC or on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Using the 
``eLibrary'' link, select ``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, 
enter the selected date range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last 
three digits (i.e., CP16-9), and follow the instructions. For 
assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at 
(866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at [email protected]. 
The eLibrary link on the FERC Web site also provides access to the 
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, 
notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: March 25, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-07261 Filed 3-30-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P