81 FR 31922 - Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Eastern System Upgrade Project, and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 98 (May 20, 2016)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 98 (May 20, 2016)
| Page Range | 31922-31924 | |
| FR Document | 2016-11908 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 98 (Friday, May 20, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 31922-31924] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-11908] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. PF16-3-000] Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Eastern System Upgrade 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 Eastern System Upgrade Project (ESU Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC (Millennium) in Sullivan, Delaware, Orange, and Rockland Counties, New York. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine whether the ESU 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 ESU Project. You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the ESU 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 June 10, 2016. If you sent comments on the ESU Project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on January 19, 2016, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. PF16-3-000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental mailing list for the ESU Project. State and local government representatives should notify their constituents of this planned 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 planned facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the Commission approves the ESU 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. A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. Public Participation For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission will provide equal consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form or provided verbally. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or [[Page 31923]] [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 ESU Project docket number (PF16-3-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426 Summary of the Planned Project Millennium plans to construct and operate about 7.8 miles of 30- and 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop \1\ in Orange County, New York. The planned pipeline loop would transport natural gas from Millennium's existing Corning Compressor Station to an existing interconnect with Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC in Ramapo, New York. Millennium would also construct a new compressor station in Sullivan County, New York; install additional compression at the Hancock Compressor Station in Delaware County, New York; and modify the Westtown Meter Station in Orange County, New York and the Ramapo Meter Station in Rockland County, New York. According to Millennium, the ESU Project would be designed to transport approximately 200,000 dekatherms per day of additional natural gas service. The general location of the ESU Project facilities is shown in appendix 1.\2\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to an existing pipeline to increase capacity. \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all of 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 ESU Project would consist of the following facilities in New York:Approximately 7.8 miles of new 30- and 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop to be located generally adjacent to Millennium's existing mainline in Orange County; a new 22,400-horsepower compressor station in Sullivan County; an additional 22,400 horsepower of compression at the existing Hancock Compressor Station in Delaware County; modifications at the existing Ramapo Meter Station in Rockland County; modifications at the existing Huguenot and Westtown Meter Stations in Orange County; and construction of an interconnect to Millennium's proposed Valley Lateral Pipeline. Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 199.6 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline loop. Millennium would maintain about 51.0 acres for permanent operation of the ESU Project's facilities following construction; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. Most of the pipeline loop would be located within Millennium's existing easements, offset about 25 feet from Millennium's existing pipeline. 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 be addressed 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 planned project under these general headings: Geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife, including migratory birds; air quality and noise; endangered and threatened species; public safety; and cumulative impacts. We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned ESU 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 have already initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage 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 have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EA. The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues and 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \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 notice to initiate consultation with the New York State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the ESU Project's potential effects on [[Page 31924]] historic properties.\5\ We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the ESU Project develops. For 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 ESU 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 (see appendix 2). Becoming an Intervenor Once Millennium 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 ESU Project. Additional Information Additional information about the ESU 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., PF16- 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 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. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016-11908 Filed 5-19-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![31922 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 98 / Friday, May 20, 2016 / Notices
email of new filings and issuances All filings must: (1) Bear in all capital otherwise comply with the requirements
related to this or other pending projects. letters the title ‘‘PROTEST,’’ ‘‘MOTION of 18 CFR 4.34(b). Agencies may obtain
For assistance, contact FERC Online TO INTERVENE,’’ ‘‘COMMENTS,’’ copies of the application directly from
Support. ‘‘REPLY COMMENTS,’’ the applicant. A copy of any protest or
n. Anyone may submit comments, a ‘‘RECOMMENDATIONS,’’ motion to intervene must be served
protest, or a motion to intervene in ‘‘PRELIMINARY TERMS AND upon each representative of the
accordance with the requirements of CONDITIONS,’’ or ‘‘PRELIMINARY applicant specified in the particular
Rules of Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR PRESCRIPTIONS;’’ (2) set forth in the application. A copy of all other filings
385.210, .211, and .214. In determining heading the name of the applicant and in reference to this application must be
the appropriate action to take, the the project number of the application to accompanied by proof of service on all
Commission will consider all protests or which the filing responds; (3) furnish persons listed in the service list
other comments filed, but only those the name, address, and telephone prepared by the Commission in this
who file a motion to intervene in number of the person protesting or proceeding, in accordance with 18 CFR
accordance with the Commission’s intervening; and (4) otherwise comply 4.34(b) and 385.2010.
Rules may become a party to the with the requirements of 18 CFR o. Procedural Schedule: The
proceeding. Any comments, protests, or 385.2001 through 385.2005. All application will be processed according
motions to intervene must be received comments, recommendations, terms and to the following revised Hydro
on or before the specified comment date conditions or prescriptions must set Licensing Schedule. Revisions to the
for the particular application. forth their evidentiary basis and schedule may be made as appropriate.
Milestone Target date
Filing of recommendations, preliminary terms and conditions, and preliminary prescriptions ................................................... July 2016.
Commission Issues Environmental Assessment ........................................................................................................................ November 2016.
Comments on Environmental Assessment ................................................................................................................................. December 2016.
Modified terms and conditions .................................................................................................................................................... February 2017.
p. Final amendments to the the Eastern System Upgrade Project planned project and encourage them to
application must be filed with the (ESU Project) involving construction comment on their areas of concern.
Commission no later than 30 days from and operation of facilities by If you are a landowner receiving this
the issuance date of this notice. Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC notice, a pipeline company
q. A license applicant must file no (Millennium) in Sullivan, Delaware, representative may contact you about
later than 60 days following the date of Orange, and Rockland Counties, New the acquisition of an easement to
issuance of the notice of acceptance and York. The Commission will use this EA construct, operate, and maintain the
ready for environmental analysis in its decision-making process to planned facilities. The company would
provided for in 18 CFR 5.22: (1) A copy determine whether the ESU Project is in seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
of the water quality certification; (2) a the public convenience and necessity. agreement. However, if the Commission
copy of the request for certification, This notice announces the opening of approves the ESU Project, that approval
including proof of the date on which the the scoping process the Commission conveys with it the right of eminent
certifying agency received the request; will use to gather input from the public domain. Therefore, if easement
or (3) evidence of waiver of water and interested agencies on the ESU negotiations fail to produce an
quality certification. Project. You can make a difference by agreement, the pipeline company could
providing us with your specific initiate condemnation proceedings
Dated: May 13, 2016.
comments or concerns about the ESU where compensation would be
Kimberly D. Bose, Project. Your comments should focus on determined in accordance with state
Secretary. the potential environmental effects, law.
[FR Doc. 2016–11897 Filed 5–19–16; 8:45 am] reasonable alternatives, and measures to A fact sheet prepared by the FERC
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P avoid or lessen environmental impacts. entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
Your input will help the Commission Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
staff determine what issues they need to To Know?’’ is available for viewing on
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This
comments are timely and properly fact sheet addresses a number of
Federal Energy Regulatory recorded, please send your comments so typically asked questions, including the
Commission that the Commission receives them in use of eminent domain and how to
[Docket No. PF16–3–000] Washington, DC on or before June 10, participate in the Commission’s
2016. proceedings.
Millennium Pipeline Company, LLC; If you sent comments on the ESU
Project to the Commission before the Public Participation
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the opening of this docket on January 19, For your convenience, there are three
Planned Eastern System Upgrade 2016, you will need to file those methods you can use to submit your
comments in Docket No. PF16–3–000 to comments to the Commission. The
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Project, and Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues ensure they are considered as part of Commission will provide equal
this proceeding. consideration to all comments received,
The staff of the Federal Energy This notice is being sent to the whether filed in written form or
Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission’s current environmental provided verbally. The Commission
Commission) will prepare an mailing list for the ESU Project. State encourages electronic filing of
environmental assessment (EA) that will and local government representatives comments and has expert staff available
discuss the environmental impacts of should notify their constituents of this to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or
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![31924 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 98 / Friday, May 20, 2016 / Notices
historic properties.5 We will define the intervenor are in the User’s Guide under discuss cultural resources related to the
project-specific Area of Potential Effects the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the Commission’s following six proposed hydroelectric
(APE) in consultation with the SHPO as Web site. Please note that the projects to be located on the
the ESU Project develops. For natural Commission will not accept requests for Monongahela River: Opekiska Lock and
gas facility projects, the APE at a intervenor status at this time. You must Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 13753,
minimum encompasses all areas subject wait until the Commission receives a Morgantown Lock and Dam
to ground disturbance (examples formal application for the ESU Project. Hydroelectric Project No. 13762, Gray’s
include construction right-of-way, Landing Lock and Dam Hydroelectric
Additional Information
contractor/pipe storage yards, Project No. 13763, Maxwell Lock and
compressor stations, and access roads). Additional information about the ESU Dam Hydroelectric Project No. 13766,
Our EA for this project will document Project is available from the Monongahela Lock and Dam Number
our findings on the impacts on historic Commission’s Office of External Affairs, Four Hydroelectric Project No. 13767,
properties and summarize the status of at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web and Point Marion Lock and Dam
consultations under section 106. site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary Hydroelectric Project No. 13771.
link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on The technical conference will begin at
Environmental Mailing List ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket 1:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. The
The environmental mailing list number, excluding the last three digits conference will be held at the Federal
includes federal, state, and local in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF16– Energy Regulatory Commission
government representatives and 3). Be sure you have selected an headquarters building located at 888 1st
agencies; elected officials; appropriate date range. For assistance, Street NE., Washington, DC, and will
environmental and public interest please contact FERC Online Support at include teleconference capabilities.
groups; Native American Tribes; other FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free All local, state, and federal agencies,
interested parties; and local libraries at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact Indian tribes, and other interested
and newspapers. This list also includes (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also parties are invited to participate. There
all affected landowners (as defined in provides access to the texts of formal will be no transcript of the conference,
the Commission’s regulations) who are documents issued by the Commission, but a summary of the meeting will be
potential right-of-way grantors, whose such as orders, notices, and prepared for the project record. If you
property may be used temporarily for rulemakings. are interested in participating in the
project purposes, or who own homes In addition, the Commission offers a
meeting you must contact Allyson
within certain distances of aboveground free service called eSubscription which
Conner at (202) 502–6082 or
facilities, and anyone who submits allows you to keep track of all formal
allyson.conner@ferc.gov by May 31,
comments on the ESU Project. We will issuances and submittals in specific
2016 to receive specific instructions on
update the environmental mailing list as dockets. This can reduce the amount of
how to participate.
the analysis proceeds to ensure that we time you spend researching proceedings
Commission conferences are
send the information related to this by automatically providing you with
accessible under section 508 of the
environmental review to all individuals, notification of these filings, document
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For
organizations, and government entities summaries, and direct links to the
accessibility accommodations, please
interested in and/or potentially affected documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-
send an email to accessibility@ferc.gov
by the planned project. filing/esubscription.asp. Finally, public
or call toll free 1–866–208–3372 (voice)
Copies of the EA will be sent to the meetings or site visits will be posted on
or 202–502–8659 (TTY), or send a FAX
environmental mailing list for public the Commission’s calendar located at
to 202–208–2106 with the required
review and comment. If you would www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/
accommodations.
prefer to receive a paper copy of the EventsList.aspx along with other related
For more information about this
document instead of the CD version or information.
technical conference, please contact:
would like to remove your name from Kimberly D. Bose, Sarah McKinley, Office of External
the mailing list, please return the Secretary. Affairs, Federal Energy Regulatory
attached Information Request (see Commission, 888 First Street NE.,
[FR Doc. 2016–11908 Filed 5–19–16; 8:45 am]
appendix 2). Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–8368,
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Becoming an Intervenor sarah.mckinley@ferc.gov.
Once Millennium files its application Dated: May 12, 2016.
with the Commission, you may want to DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Kimberly D. Bose,
become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an Federal Energy Regulatory Secretary.
official party to the Commission’s Commission [FR Doc. 2016–11907 Filed 5–19–16; 8:45 am]
proceeding. Intervenors play a more BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
formal role in the process and are able [Project No. 13753–002; Project No. 13762–
to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be 002; Project No. 13763–002; Project No.
13766–002; Project No. 13767–002; Project
heard by the courts if they choose to DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
No. 13771–002]
appeal the Commission’s final ruling.
An intervenor formally participates in FFP Missouri 16, LLC; FFP Missouri Federal Energy Regulatory
the proceeding by filing a request to 15, LLC; FFP Missouri 13, LLC; Solia Commission
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
intervene. Instructions for becoming an 5 Hydroelectric, LLC ; Solia 4 [Docket No. RP16–618–000]
Hydroelectric, LLC ; Solia 8
5 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
Hydroelectric, LLC ; Notice of Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC;
regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define Technical Conference Notice Establishing Comment Period
historic properties as any prehistoric or historic
district, site, building, structure, or object included
On Wednesday, June 1, 2016, Federal On May 9, 2016, Federal Energy
in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register Energy Regulatory Commission staff Regulatory Commission staff held a
of Historic Places. will hold a technical conference to technical conference to discuss issues
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Document Created: 2016-05-20 01:59:54
Document Modified: 2016-05-20 01:59:54
| 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 | 81 FR 31922 |
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