81_FR_55349 81 FR 55189 - Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Supply Header Project

81 FR 55189 - Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and the Supply Header Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 160 (August 18, 2016)

Page Range55189-55190
FR Document2016-19751

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016) 
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 160 (Thursday, August 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55189-55190]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19751]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Atlantic Coast 
Pipeline and the Supply Header Project

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Docket Nos.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Atlantic Coast Pipeline,                                    CP15-554-000
LLC..................................................       CP15-554-001
Dominion Transmission, Inc...........................       CP15-555-000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On September 18, 2015, Atlantic Coast Pipeline, LLC (Atlantic) and 
Dominion Transmission, Inc. (Dominion) filed applications in Docket 
Nos. CP15-554-000 and CP15-555-000 requesting a Certificate of Public 
Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct, operate, and maintain certain natural gas 
pipeline facilities. Atlantic's proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline in 
West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina would transport about 1.5 
billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from production areas in the 
Appalachian Basin to markets in Virginia and North Carolina. Dominion's 
proposed Supply Header Project in Pennsylvania and West Virginia would 
allow additional gas transportation on its existing system and would 
transport gas to various customers, including Atlantic. Because these 
are interrelated projects, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(FERC or Commission) deemed it was appropriate to analyze them in a 
single environmental impact statement (EIS).
    On October 2, 2015, the FERC issued its Notice of Application for 
the projects. Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies 
issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all 
necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a 
federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the 
Commission staff's final EIS for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Supply 
Header Project. This instant notice identifies the FERC staff's planned 
schedule for completion of the final EIS for the projects, which is 
based on an issuance of the draft EIS in December 2016.

Schedule for Environmental Review

    Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS: June 30, 2017.
    90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline: September 28, 2017.
    If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an 
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are 
kept informed of the projects' progress.

Project Description

    The Atlantic Coast Pipeline consists of 333.1 miles of 42-inch-
diameter mainline pipeline in West Virginia, Virginia, and North 
Carolina; 186.0 miles of 36-inch-diameter mainline pipeline in North 
Carolina; 83.0 miles of 20-inch-diameter lateral pipeline in North 
Carolina and Virginia; and two short 16-inch-diameter lateral pipelines 
in Brunswick and Greenville Counties, Virginia. In addition, Atlantic 
proposes to construct and operate three new compressor stations 
totaling 130,345 horsepower in Lewis County, West Virginia; Buckingham 
County, Virginia; and Northampton County, North Carolina, along with 
other aboveground facilities along the mainline and lateral pipelines.
    The Supply Header Project consists of 3.9 miles of 30-inch-diameter 
pipeline loop in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; 33.6 miles of 30-
inch-diameter pipeline loop in West Virginia; and modifications to four 
existing compressor stations in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania; 
Greene County, Pennsylvania; and Marshall and Wetzel Counties, West 
Virginia.

Background

    On November 13, 2014, the Commission staff granted Atlantic's and 
Dominion's request to use the FERC's Pre-filing environmental review 
process and assigned the Atlantic Coast Pipeline temporary Docket No. 
PF15-6-000 and the Supply Header Project temporary Docket No. PF15-5-
000. On February 27, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Supply Header 
Project and Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on 
Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings (NOI). On 
March 22, 2016, the FERC issued a Notice of Amendment to Application 
announcing that Atlantic had filed an amendment to its application. On 
May 3, 2016, the Commission issued a Supplemental NOI that discussed 
the amendments to Atlantic's application and opened a scoping period 
for route modifications that Atlantic incorporated into the Atlantic 
Coast Pipeline.

[[Page 55190]]

    The NOIs were sent to our environmental mailing list that include 
federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; 
affected landowners; regional environmental groups and nongovernmental 
organizations; Native Americans and Indian tribes; local libraries and 
newspapers; and other interested parties. Major environmental issues 
raised during scoping included karst terrain and caves; impacts on 
groundwater and springs, drinking water supplies, and surface 
waterbodies; impacts on forest; impacts on property values and the use 
of eminent domain; impacts on tourism; impacts on public recreational 
areas such as the Monongahela and George Washington National Forests, 
Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway; impacts 
on historic properties and districts; and pipeline safety.
    The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Monongahela 
National Forest and George Washington National Forest; U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge; West 
Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; and West Virginia 
Division of Natural Resources are cooperating agencies in the 
preparation of the EIS.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EIS and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription (http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp). Additional data about the 
projects can be obtained electronically through the Commission's 
Internet Web site (www.ferc.gov). Under ``Dockets & Filings,'' use the 
``eLibrary'' link, select ``General Search'' from the menu, enter the 
docket numbers excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP15-554 or CP15-
555), and the search dates. Questions about the projects can be 
directed to the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-
FERC.

    Dated: August 12, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-19751 Filed 8-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / Notices 55189 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Dated: August 12, 2016. Schedule for Environmental Review Kimberly D. Bose, Issuance of Notice of Availability of Federal Energy Regulatory Secretary. the final EIS: June 30, 2017. Commission [FR Doc. 2016–19750 Filed 8–17–16; 8:45 am] 90-day Federal Authorization BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Decision Deadline: September 28, 2017. Combined Notice of Filings #2 If a schedule change becomes Take notice that the Commission necessary for the final EIS, an additional received the following electric rate DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY notice will be provided so that the filings: relevant agencies are kept informed of Docket Numbers: ER16–2414–000. Federal Energy Regulatory the projects’ progress. Applicants: PJM Interconnection, Commission Project Description L.L.C. Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Notice of Schedule for Environmental The Atlantic Coast Pipeline consists Service Agreement Nos. 4511 and 4512, Review of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline of 333.1 miles of 42-inch-diameter Queue Positions AB1–127 and AB1–128 and the Supply Header Project mainline pipeline in West Virginia, to be effective 7/13/2016. Virginia, and North Carolina; 186.0 Filed Date: 8/12/16. Docket Nos. miles of 36-inch-diameter mainline Accession Number: 20160812–5145. pipeline in North Carolina; 83.0 miles of Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/2/16. Atlantic Coast Pipeline, CP15–554–000 20-inch-diameter lateral pipeline in Docket Numbers: ER16–2415–000. LLC ................................. CP15–554–001 North Carolina and Virginia; and two Applicants: ISO New England Inc. Dominion Transmission, short 16-inch-diameter lateral pipelines Description: ISO New England Inc. Inc ............................... CP15–555–000 in Brunswick and Greenville Counties, submits Second Quarter 2016 Capital Virginia. In addition, Atlantic proposes Budget Report. On September 18, 2015, Atlantic to construct and operate three new Filed Date: 8/12/16. Coast Pipeline, LLC (Atlantic) and compressor stations totaling 130,345 Accession Number: 20160812–5153. Dominion Transmission, Inc. horsepower in Lewis County, West Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/2/16. (Dominion) filed applications in Docket Virginia; Buckingham County, Virginia; Docket Numbers: ER16–2416–000. Nos. CP15–554–000 and CP15–555–000 and Northampton County, North Applicants: Central Maine Power requesting a Certificate of Public Carolina, along with other aboveground Company. Convenience and Necessity pursuant to facilities along the mainline and lateral Description: § 205(d) Rate Filing: Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas pipelines. Amended CSIA with Brookfield White Act to construct, operate, and maintain The Supply Header Project consists of Pine Hydro LLC to be effective 8/1/ certain natural gas pipeline facilities. 3.9 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline 2016. Atlantic’s proposed Atlantic Coast loop in Westmoreland County, Filed Date: 8/12/16. Pipeline in West Virginia, Virginia, and Pennsylvania; 33.6 miles of 30-inch- Accession Number: 20160812–5160. North Carolina would transport about diameter pipeline loop in West Virginia; Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/2/16. and modifications to four existing 1.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural Docket Numbers: ER16–2417–000. gas from production areas in the compressor stations in Westmoreland Applicants: Midcontinent Appalachian Basin to markets in County, Pennsylvania; Greene County, Independent System Operator, Inc. Virginia and North Carolina. Pennsylvania; and Marshall and Wetzel Description: Compliance filing: 2016– Counties, West Virginia. Dominion’s proposed Supply Header 08–12_Removal of MVP Pricing Project in Pennsylvania and West Background Limitation to PJM (ER10–1791) to be Virginia would allow additional gas effective 7/13/2016. On November 13, 2014, the transportation on its existing system and Filed Date: 8/12/16. Commission staff granted Atlantic’s and Accession Number: 20160812–5197. would transport gas to various Dominion’s request to use the FERC’s Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 9/2/16. customers, including Atlantic. Because Pre-filing environmental review process these are interrelated projects, the The filings are accessible in the and assigned the Atlantic Coast Pipeline Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Commission’s eLibrary system by temporary Docket No. PF15–6–000 and (FERC or Commission) deemed it was the Supply Header Project temporary clicking on the links or querying the appropriate to analyze them in a single Docket No. PF15–5–000. On February docket number. Any person desiring to intervene or environmental impact statement (EIS). 27, 2015, the Commission issued a protest in any of the above proceedings On October 2, 2015, the FERC issued Notice of Intent to Prepare an must file in accordance with Rules 211 its Notice of Application for the Environmental Impact Statement for the and 214 of the Commission’s projects. Among other things, that Planned Supply Header Project and Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and notice alerted other agencies issuing Atlantic Coast Pipeline Project, Request 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern federal authorizations of the for Comments on Environmental Issues, time on the specified comment date. requirement to complete all necessary and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings Protests may be considered, but reviews and to reach a final decision on (NOI). On March 22, 2016, the FERC intervention is necessary to become a the request for a federal authorization issued a Notice of Amendment to party to the proceeding. within 90 days of the date of issuance Application announcing that Atlantic eFiling is encouraged. More detailed of the Commission staff’s final EIS for had filed an amendment to its rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES information relating to filing the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Supply application. On May 3, 2016, the requirements, interventions, protests, Header Project. This instant notice Commission issued a Supplemental NOI service, and qualifying facilities filings identifies the FERC staff’s planned that discussed the amendments to can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/ schedule for completion of the final EIS Atlantic’s application and opened a docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For for the projects, which is based on an scoping period for route modifications other information, call (866) 208–3676 issuance of the draft EIS in December that Atlantic incorporated into the (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. 2016. Atlantic Coast Pipeline. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:53 Aug 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1

55190 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 160 / Thursday, August 18, 2016 / Notices The NOIs were sent to our ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION federal regulations, with the environmental mailing list that include AGENCY understanding that the state regulations federal, state, and local government include a small number of typographical [FRL–9951–02—Region 1] agencies; elected officials; affected errors or other very minor, non- landowners; regional environmental Program Requirement Revisions substantive differences that the state has groups and nongovernmental Related to the Public Water System agreed to correct. These issues are organizations; Native Americans and Supervision Programs for the discussed in further detail in EPA’s Indian tribes; local libraries and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the administrative record. Therefore, EPA newspapers; and other interested State of Rhode Island and the State of intends to approve Rhode Island’s parties. Major environmental issues Vermont PWSS program revision for these rules. raised during scoping included karst AGENCY: Environmental Protection The State of Vermont has adopted terrain and caves; impacts on Agency (EPA). drinking water regulations for the groundwater and springs, drinking Ground Water Rule (71 FR 65574) ACTION: Notice. water supplies, and surface waterbodies; promulgated on November 6, 2008, the impacts on forest; impacts on property SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water values and the use of eminent domain; the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Treatment Rule (71 FR 654) impacts on tourism; impacts on public the State of Rhode Island and the State promulgated on January 5, 2006, and the recreational areas such as the of Vermont are in the process of revising Stage 2 Disinfectant and Disinfection Monongahela and George Washington their respective approved Public Water Byproducts Rule (71 FR 388) National Forests, Appalachian National System Supervision (PWSS) programs to promulgated on January 4, 2006. After Scenic Trail, and the Blue Ridge meet the requirements of the Safe review of the submitted documentation, Parkway; impacts on historic properties Drinking Water Act (SDWA). EPA has determined that the State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Vermont’s Ground Water Rule, Long and districts; and pipeline safety. has adopted drinking water regulations Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water The U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the Ground Water Rule (71 FR Treatment Rule, and Stage 2 Forest Service, Monongahela National 65574) promulgated on November 8, Disinfectant and Disinfection Forest and George Washington National 2006, the Long Term 2 Enhanced Byproducts Rule are no less stringent Forest; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Surface Water Treatment Rule (71 FR than the corresponding federal U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 654) promulgated on January 5, 2006, regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Great and the Stage 2 Disinfectant and approve Vermont’s PWSS program Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Disinfection Byproducts Rule (71 FR revision for these rules. Refuge; West Virginia Department of 388) promulgated on January 4, 2006. Environmental Protection; and West After review of the submitted DATES: All interested parties may Virginia Division of Natural Resources documentation, the Environmental request a public hearing for any of the Protection Agency (EPA) has above EPA determinations. A request for are cooperating agencies in the determined that the Commonwealth of a public hearing must be submitted preparation of the EIS. Massachusetts’ Ground Water Rule, within thirty (30) days of this Federal Additional Information Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Register publication date to the Treatment Rule, and Stage 2 Regional Administrator at the address In order to receive notification of the Disinfectant and Disinfection shown below. Frivolous or insubstantial issuance of the EIS and to keep track of Byproducts Rule are no less stringent requests for a hearing may be denied by all formal issuances and submittals in than the corresponding federal the Regional Administrator. However, if specific dockets, the Commission offers regulations. Therefore, EPA intends to a substantial request for a public hearing a free service called eSubscription approve Massachusetts’ PWSS program is made by this date, a public hearing (http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ revision for these rules. will be held. If no timely and esubscription.asp). Additional data The State of Rhode Island has adopted appropriate request for a hearing is about the projects can be obtained drinking water regulations for the Lead received, and the Regional electronically through the Commission’s and Copper Rule (56 FR 26460–26564) Administrator does not elect to hold a Internet Web site (www.ferc.gov). Under promulgated on June 7, 1991, the Lead hearing on his/her own motion, this ‘‘Dockets & Filings,’’ use the ‘‘eLibrary’’ and Copper Minor Revisions Rule (65 determination shall become final and link, select ‘‘General Search’’ from the FR 1950) promulgated on January 12, effective 30 days after the publication of menu, enter the docket numbers 2000, the Lead and Copper Short-Term this Federal Register Notice. Any excluding the last three digits (i.e., Revisions Rule (72 FR 57782) request for a public hearing shall CP15–554 or CP15–555), and the search promulgated on October 10, 2007, the include the following information: (1) dates. Questions about the projects can Ground Water Rule (71 FR 65574) The name, address, and telephone be directed to the Commission’s Office promulgated on November 8, 2006, and number of the individual organization, of External Affairs at (866) 208–FERC. the Stage 2 Disinfectant and or other entity requesting a hearing; (2) Disinfection Byproducts Rule (71 FR a brief statement of the requesting Dated: August 12, 2016. 388) promulgated on January 4, 2006. person’s interest in the Regional Kimberly D. Bose, After review of the submitted Administrator’s determination; (3) Secretary. documentation, EPA has determined information that the requesting person rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES [FR Doc. 2016–19751 Filed 8–17–16; 8:45 am] that the State of Rhode Island’s Lead intends to submit at such hearing; and BILLING CODE 6717–01–P and Copper Rule, Lead and Copper (4) the signature of the individual Short-Term Revisions Rule, Lead and making the request, or if the request is Copper Minor Revisions Rule, Ground made on behalf of an organization or Water Rule, and Stage 2 Disinfectant other entity, the signature of a and Disinfection Byproducts Rule are no responsible official of the organization less stringent than the corresponding or other entity. VerDate Sep<11>2014 15:05 Aug 17, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\18AUN1.SGM 18AUN1


Document Created: 2016-08-17 23:46:28
Document Modified: 2016-08-17 23:46:28
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 Citation81 FR 55189 
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR