81 FR 5995 - Notice of Public Hearings for the Draft Northern Pass Transmission Line Project Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0463)
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 23 (February 4, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 23 (February 4, 2016)
| Page Range | 5995-5996 | |
| FR Document | 2016-02111 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 23 (Thursday, February 4, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 5995-5996] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-02111] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [OE Docket No. PP-371] Notice of Public Hearings for the Draft Northern Pass Transmission Line Project Environmental Impact Statement (DOE/EIS-0463) AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of public hearings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces public hearings to receive comments on the Draft EIS. The Draft EIS evaluates the potential environmental impacts of DOE's proposed Federal action of issuing a Presidential permit to Northern Pass LLC (the Applicant) to construct, operate, maintain, and connect a new electric transmission line across the U.S./Canada border in northern New Hampshire. The U.S. Forest Service--White Mountain National Forest (USFS), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--New England District (USACE), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--Region 1 (EPA), and the New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning (NHOEP) are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS. The New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee (SEC) was established by the New Hampshire legislature for the review, approval, monitoring and enforcement of compliance in the planning, siting, construction and operation of energy facilities in the State of New Hampshire. On October 19, 2015, Northern Pass Transmission, LLC and Public Service Company of New Hampshire d/b/a Eversource Energy (collectively Applicant), filed an Application for a Certificate of Site and Facility (Application) seeking the issuance of a Certificate of Site and Facility approving the siting, construction, and operation of a 192- mile transmission line and associated facilities with a capacity rating of up to 1,090 MW from the Canadian border in Pittsburg in Coos County to Deerfield in Rockingham County (Project). New Hampshire law, R.S.A. Section 162-H:10(I-c), requires that within 90 days after acceptance of an application for a certificate, that the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee shall hold at least one public hearing in each county where the proposed facility will be located. DATES: The public review period to receive comments on the Draft EIS closes on April 4, 2016, see the Public Participation section for more information about submitting comments. DOE and the cooperating agencies and the New Hampshire SEC will conduct joint public hearings to receive oral and written comments concerning the project on March 7 and March 10, 2016. DOE and the cooperating agencies will conduct public hearings to receive oral and written comments on the Draft EIS at the following locations commencing at the times identified: Colebrook: Monday March 7, 2016, 5:00 p.m., Colebrook Elementary School, Gymnasium, Colebrook, NH Waterville Valley: Wednesday March 9, 2016, 5:00 p.m., Waterville Valley Conference and Event Center, Waterville Room, Waterville Valley, NH 03215 Concord: Thursday March 10, 2016, 5:00 p.m., Grappone Conference Center, Granite Ballroom, 70 Constitution Avenue, Concord, NH 03301 Whitefield: Friday March 11, 2016, 5:00 p.m., Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa, Presidential Room, 101 Mountain View Road, Whitefield, NH 03598 ADDRESSES: Requests to pre-register to provide oral comments at a public hearing should be addressed to the Northern Pass EIS Team at this email address: [email protected]. Comments on the Draft EIS can be submitted verbally during public hearings or in writing to Mr. Brian Mills at: Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability (OE-20), U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., [[Page 5996]] Washington, DC 20585; via email to [email protected]; by facsimile to (202) 586-8008; or through the project Web site at http://www.northernpasseis.us/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Brian Mills at the addresses above, or at 202-586-8267. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation Comments: DOE invites interested Members of Congress, state and local governments, other Federal agencies, American Indian tribal governments, organizations, and members of the public to provide comments on the Draft EIS. The public comment period on the Draft EIS started on July 31, 2015, with the publication in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of its Notice of Availability of the Draft EIS. The public review period to receive comments on the Draft EIS closes on April 4, 2016. Please mark envelopes and electronic mail subject lines as ``NP Draft EIS Comments.'' Written comments should be submitted by April 4, 2016. Written and oral comments will be given equal weight and all comments received or postmarked by that date will be considered by DOE in preparing the Final EIS. Comments submitted (e.g., postmarked) after that date will be considered to the extent practicable. Public Hearings: When requesting to pre-register to provide oral comments at a public hearing (see the DATES section for times and locations), please include your full name and email address, and specify the location you request to speak at. Please state in the subject line, ``NP Draft EIS Public Hearing Speaker Request.'' Please submit your request by, February 25, 2016; requests received by that date will be given priority in the speaking order. However, requests to speak may also be made at the hearing. The speaking order will be as follows: (1) Elected Officials; (2) Pre-registered speakers (order determined on a first-come, first-served basis); (3) Speakers registering at the meeting. Pre-registered speakers who have requested to speak at a specific time will be accommodated as possible. Availability of the Draft EIS The documents are available online at http://www.northernpasseis.us/. Copies of the Draft EIS are also available at a number of public libraries and town halls (a list of locations is found here: http://media.northernpasseis.us/media/DraftEIS_Hard_Copy_Locations.pdf). Printed copies of the documents may be obtained by contacting Mr. Mills at the above address. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 29, 2016. Meghan Conklin, Deputy Assistant Secretary, National Electricity Delivery, Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. [FR Doc. 2016-02111 Filed 2-3-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2016 / Notices 5995
All Federal, State, Tribal, and local (7) Land and Resource Ownership: On October 19, 2015, Northern Pass
agencies, and other interested persons Kuukpik Corporation owns the surface Transmission, LLC and Public Service
or organizations, are urged to participate estate of lands at the drill sites and Company of New Hampshire d/b/a
in the NEPA scoping process. Scoping lands traversed by the infield roads and Eversource Energy (collectively
meetings will be conducted to inform infield pipelines, and portions of the Applicant), filed an Application for a
interested parties of the proposed access road and Nanushuk Pipeline. The Certificate of Site and Facility
project, receive public input on the State of Alaska, through the Alaska (Application) seeking the issuance of a
development of proposed alternatives to Department of Natural Resources Certificate of Site and Facility approving
be reviewed in the EIS, and to identify (ADNR), manages the majority of surface the siting, construction, and operation
significant issues to be analyzed. lands traversed by the Nanushuk of a 192-mile transmission line and
(2) Scoping meetings: The Corps plans Pipeline and access road. The Project associated facilities with a capacity
to hold scoping meetings in Barrow, will access subsurface mineral resources rating of up to 1,090 MW from the
Nuiqsut, Anchorage, and Fairbanks. that are shared by the State of Alaska Canadian border in Pittsburg in Coos
Public notices will be placed in local and the Arctic Slope Regional County to Deerfield in Rockingham
newspapers and other public places, Corporation (ASRC). County (Project). New Hampshire law,
and will be communicated directly with Estimated Date Draft EIS Available to R.S.A. Section 162–H:10(I–c), requires
the smaller communities, once dates are Public: It is anticipated that the Draft that within 90 days after acceptance of
confirmed. EIS will be available in spring 2017 for an application for a certificate, that the
(3) Information about these meetings public review. New Hampshire Site Evaluation
and meeting dates will be published Dated: January 26, 2016. Committee shall hold at least one public
locally, posted at the project Web site, Michael Salyer,
hearing in each county where the
and available by contacting the Corps as proposed facility will be located.
Chief, North Branch, Regulatory Division,
previously described. A description of Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers. DATES: The public review period to
the proposed project will be posted on receive comments on the Draft EIS
[FR Doc. 2016–01973 Filed 2–3–16; 8:45 am]
the project Web site prior to these closes on April 4, 2016, see the Public
BILLING CODE 3720–58–P
meetings to help the public focus their Participation section for more
scoping comments. information about submitting
(4) The Corps will serve as the lead comments.
Federal agency in the preparation of the DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DOE and the cooperating agencies and
EIS. Agencies that are being invited to the New Hampshire SEC will conduct
act as Cooperating Agencies include the [OE Docket No. PP–371] joint public hearings to receive oral and
following: written comments concerning the
a. U.S. Environmental Protection Notice of Public Hearings for the Draft project on March 7 and March 10, 2016.
Agency Northern Pass Transmission Line DOE and the cooperating agencies will
b. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Project Environmental Impact conduct public hearings to receive oral
c. State of Alaska, Department of Statement (DOE/EIS–0463) and written comments on the Draft EIS
Natural Resources, Office of Project AGENCY: U.S. Department of Energy. at the following locations commencing
Management and Permitting ACTION: Notice of public hearings. at the times identified:
d. North Slope Borough Colebrook: Monday March 7, 2016, 5:00
e. Native Village of Nuiqsut SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of p.m., Colebrook Elementary School,
(5) The EIS will analyze the potential Energy (DOE) announces public Gymnasium, Colebrook, NH
social, economic, physical, and hearings to receive comments on the Waterville Valley: Wednesday March 9,
biological impacts to the affected areas. Draft EIS. The Draft EIS evaluates the 2016, 5:00 p.m., Waterville Valley
Numerous issues will be analyzed in potential environmental impacts of Conference and Event Center,
depth in the EIS. These issues include, DOE’s proposed Federal action of Waterville Room, Waterville Valley,
but are not limited to, the following: issuing a Presidential permit to NH 03215
The construction and operation of the Northern Pass LLC (the Applicant) to Concord: Thursday March 10, 2016,
facilities and their effect upon the construct, operate, maintain, and 5:00 p.m., Grappone Conference
community of Nuiqsut; subsistence; connect a new electric transmission line Center, Granite Ballroom, 70
cultural resources; air quality; across the U.S./Canada border in Constitution Avenue, Concord, NH
socioeconomics; alternatives; secondary northern New Hampshire. 03301
and cumulative impacts; threatened and The U.S. Forest Service—White Whitefield: Friday March 11, 2016, 5:00
endangered species including critical Mountain National Forest (USFS), the p.m., Mountain View Grand Resort
habitat; hydrology and wetlands; and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—New and Spa, Presidential Room, 101
fish and wildlife. England District (USACE), the U.S. Mountain View Road, Whitefield, NH
(6) Other Environmental Review and Environmental Protection Agency— 03598
Consultation Requirements: Other Region 1 (EPA), and the New Hampshire ADDRESSES: Requests to pre-register to
environmental review and consultation Office of Energy and Planning (NHOEP) provide oral comments at a public
requirements include Executive Order are cooperating agencies in the hearing should be addressed to the
13175 Consultation and Coordination preparation of the EIS. Northern Pass EIS Team at this email
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
with Indian Tribal Governments, The New Hampshire Site Evaluation address: info@northernpasseis.us.
Executive Order 12898 Federal Actions Committee (SEC) was established by the Comments on the Draft EIS can be
to Address Environmental Justice in New Hampshire legislature for the submitted verbally during public
Minority Populations and Low-Income review, approval, monitoring and hearings or in writing to Mr. Brian Mills
Populations, 106 of the National enforcement of compliance in the at: Office of Electricity Delivery and
Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and planning, siting, construction and Energy Reliability (OE–20), U.S.
Endangered Species Act Section 7 operation of energy facilities in the State Department of Energy, 1000
consultation. of New Hampshire. Independence Avenue SW.,
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![5996 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 23 / Thursday, February 4, 2016 / Notices
Washington, DC 20585; via email to Printed copies of the documents may DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
draftEIScomments@northernpasseis.us; be obtained by contacting Mr. Mills at
by facsimile to (202) 586–8008; or the above address. Federal Energy Regulatory
through the project Web site at http:// Commission
Issued in Washington, DC, on January 29,
www.northernpasseis.us/. 2016. [Docket No. EL00–95–288]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Meghan Conklin,
Brian Mills at the addresses above, or at San Diego Gas & Electric Company v.
Deputy Assistant Secretary, National
202–586–8267. Electricity Delivery, Office of Electricity Sellers of Energy and Ancillary
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Delivery and Energy Reliability. Services Into Markets Operated by the
[FR Doc. 2016–02111 Filed 2–3–16; 8:45 am] California Independent System
Public Participation Operator Corporation and the
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
Comments: DOE invites interested California Power Exchanges; Notice of
Members of Congress, state and local Compliance Filing
governments, other Federal agencies, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Take notice that on January 29, 2016,
American Indian tribal governments, MPS Merchant Services, Inc. submitted
organizations, and members of the Federal Energy Regulatory its Compliance Filing to Order on
public to provide comments on the Draft Commission Rehearing of Opinion No. 536.1
EIS. Any person desiring to intervene or to
The public comment period on the [Docket Nos. CP14–517–000; CP14–518– protest this filing must file in
Draft EIS started on July 31, 2015, with 000; PF13–14–000] accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of
the publication in the Federal Register the Commission’s Rules of Practice and
by the U.S. Environmental Protection Golden Pass Products, LLC; Golden Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214).
Agency of its Notice of Availability of Pass Pipeline, LLC; Revised Notice of Protests will be considered by the
the Draft EIS. Schedule for Environmental Review of Commission in determining the
The public review period to receive the Golden Pass Liquefied Natural Gas appropriate action to be taken, but will
comments on the Draft EIS closes on Export Project not serve to make protestants parties to
April 4, 2016. Please mark envelopes the proceeding. Any person wishing to
and electronic mail subject lines as ‘‘NP This notice identifies the Federal become a party must file a notice of
Draft EIS Comments.’’ Written Energy Regulatory Commission intervention or motion to intervene, as
comments should be submitted by April (Commission or FERC) staff’s revised appropriate. Such notices, motions, or
4, 2016. Written and oral comments will schedule for the completion of the final protests must be filed on or before the
be given equal weight and all comments environmental impact statement (EIS) comment date. On or before the
received or postmarked by that date will for Golden Pass Products, LLC and comment date, it is not necessary to
be considered by DOE in preparing the Golden Pass Pipeline, LLC’s Golden serve motions to intervene or protests
Final EIS. Comments submitted (e.g., Pass Liquefied Natural Gas Export on persons other than the Applicant.
postmarked) after that date will be Project. The previous notice of The Commission encourages
considered to the extent practicable. schedule, issued on June 26, 2015, electronic submission of protests and
Public Hearings: When requesting to identified March 4, 2016 as the issuance interventions in lieu of paper using the
pre-register to provide oral comments at date. ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://www.ferc.gov.
a public hearing (see the DATES section Persons unable to file electronically
for times and locations), please include Schedule for Environmental Review should submit an original and 5 copies
your full name and email address, and of the protest or intervention to the
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
specify the location you request to speak
at. Please state in the subject line, ‘‘NP final EIS July 29, 2016 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
Draft EIS Public Hearing Speaker 90-day Federal Authorization Decision 20426.
Request.’’ Please submit your request Deadline October 27, 2016 This filing is accessible on-line at
by, February 25, 2016; requests received http://www.ferc.gov, using the
If a schedule change becomes
by that date will be given priority in the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for
necessary, additional notice will be
speaking order. However, requests to review in the Commission’s Public
provided so that the relevant agencies
speak may also be made at the hearing. Reference Room in Washington, DC.
are kept informed of the Project’s There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on the
The speaking order will be as follows:
progress. Web site that enables subscribers to
(1) Elected Officials; (2) Pre-registered
speakers (order determined on a first- Additional Information receive email notification when a
come, first-served basis); (3) Speakers document is added to a subscribed
registering at the meeting. Pre-registered In order to receive notification of the docket(s). For assistance with any FERC
speakers who have requested to speak at issuance of the final EIS and to keep Online service, please email
a specific time will be accommodated as track of all formal issuances and FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call
possible. submittals in specific dockets, the (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
Commission offers a free service called (202) 502–8659.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Availability of the Draft EIS Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern
eSubscription. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-
The documents are available online at filing/esubscription.asp. Time on March 9, 2016.
http://www.northernpasseis.us/. Copies Dated: January 29, 2016.
of the Draft EIS are also available at a 1 San Diego Gas & Elec. Co. v. Sellers of Energy
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., & Ancillary Servs., 153 FERC ¶ 61,144 (2015)
number of public libraries and town
Deputy Secretary. (‘‘Order on Rehearing’’), denying rehearing of San
halls (a list of locations is found here: Diego Gas & Elec. Co. v. Sellers of Energy &
http://media.northernpasseis.us/media/ [FR Doc. 2016–02075 Filed 2–3–16; 8:45 am]
Ancillary Servs., Opinion No. 536, 149 FERC ¶
DraftEIS_Hard_Copy_Locations.pdf). BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 61,116 (2014) (‘‘Opinion No. 536’’).
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Document Created: 2016-02-04 00:30:49
Document Modified: 2016-02-04 00:30:49
| 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 | |
| Action | Notice of public hearings. | |
| Dates | The public review period to receive comments on the Draft EIS closes on April 4, 2016, see the Public Participation section for more information about submitting comments. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 5995 |
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