81 FR 8196 - Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Leach Xpress and Rayne Xpress Expansion Projects

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 32 (February 18, 2016)

Page Range		8196-8197
FR Document		2016-03324

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 32 (Thursday, February 18, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8196-8197]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03324]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission


Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Leach Xpress 
and Rayne Xpress Expansion Projects

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Docket No.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC.........  CP15-514-000
Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC........  CP15-539-000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On June 8, 2015, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia Gas) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP15-514-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 
7(c) and 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, operate, abandon in-
place, and maintain certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The 
proposed Leach XPress Project, located in West Virginia, Ohio, and 
Pennsylvania, would provide about 1.5 million dekatherms of natural gas 
per day of firm transportation service to natural gas consumers served 
by the Columbia Gas pipeline systems.
    Additionally, on July 29, 2015, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC 
(Columbia Gulf) filed an application in Docket No. CP15-539-000 
requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant 
to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, own, and operate 
the proposed Rayne XPress Expansion Project. The Rayne Express 
Expansion Project, located in Kentucky, would add new compression and 
provide about 621,000 dekatherms per day of firm transportation on 
Columbia Gulf's system. Together, these proposals are referred to in 
this notice as ``the Projects.''
    On June 22 and August 11, 2015, respectively, the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued its Notice of 
Application for the Leach XPress Project and Rayne XPress Expansion 
Project. Among other things, these notices 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 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Projects. This instant notice identifies the FERC staff's planned 
schedule for completion of the final EIS for the Projects.

                    Schedule for Environmental Review
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Issuance of Notice of Availability    September 1, 2016.
 of the final EIS.
90-day Federal Authorization          November 30, 2016.
 Decision Deadline.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Project Description

    Columbia Gas plans to construct approximately 160 miles of new 
natural gas pipeline in West Virginia (Marshall County), Ohio 
(Fairfield, Hocking, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry and Vinton 
Counties) and Pennsylvania (Greene County), two new compressor stations 
in Ohio (Noble and Jackson Counties), one new compressor station in 
West Virginia (Marshall County), and modify two existing compressor 
stations in West Virginia and Ohio.
    Columbia Gulf plans to construct and operate 51,800 horsepower of 
new compression in two new compressor stations located in Carter, 
Menifee and Montgomery Counties, Kentucky, and modify the existing 
Means Measurement and Regulation Station in Means and Montgomery 
County, Kentucky.

Background

    On October 9, 2014, the Commission staff granted Columbia Gas's 
request to use the FERC's Pre-filing environmental review process and 
assigned the Leach XPress Project Docket No. PF14-23-000. On January 
13, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Leach XPress Project, 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public 
Scoping Meetings (NOI). Additionally, on September 4, 2015, the 
Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Rayne XPress Expansion Project and Request for 
Comments on Environmental Issues.
    Both NOIs were sent to federal, state, and local government 
agencies; elected officials; affected landowners; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes and regional 
organizations; commentors and other interested parties; and local 
libraries and newspapers. The primary issues raised by the commentors 
included federally listed bats, forested plant and animal habitat, 
freshwater mussel habitat, salamander habitat, potential future 
subsidence of mining land, and effects on public health and safety.
    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ohio Environmental 
Protection Agency, the West Virginia Department of Environmental 
Protection, the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, and the 
Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection 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. 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 Projects 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, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' for the project you wish to access 
excluding the last three digits

[[Page 8197]]

(i.e., CP15-514, CP15-539), 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: February 10, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-03324 Filed 2-17-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 32 / Thursday, February 18, 2016 / Notices 8197

(i.e., CP15–514, CP15–539), and follow Register Notice (80 FR 44339) providing cutting issues related to environmental
the instructions. For assistance with a Notice of Final Transmission and justice. This notice solicits nominations
access to eLibrary, the helpline can be Ancillary Services Formula Rates for to fill approximately six (6) new
reached at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202) Western’s Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin vacancies for terms through September
502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ Program-Eastern Division (P–SMBP— 2019. To maintain the representation
ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC ED). Western explained that Western- outlined by the charter, nominees will
Web site also provides access to the UGP intended to transfer functional be selected to represent: grassroots
texts of formal documents issued by the control of Western-UGP’s P–SMBP—ED community-based organizations (2
Commission, such as orders, notices, eligible transmission facilities located in vacancies); non-governmental/
and rule makings. the Upper Missouri Zone (UMZ or Zone environmental organizations (2
Dated: February 10, 2016. 19) to SPP on October 1, 2015. Western vacancies); State government agencies (1
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., announced the final transmission and vacancy); and business and industry (1
ancillary services formula rates and the vacancy). Vacancies are anticipated to
Deputy Secretary.
P–SMBP—ED transmission and be filled by July 2016. Sources in
[FR Doc. 2016–03324 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am]
ancillary services formula rates would addition to this Federal Register Notice
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
go into effect when functional control also may be utilized in the solicitation
was transferred to SPP. of nominees.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY The purpose of this notice is to DATES: Nominations should be
announce that Western-UGP submitted in time to arrive no later than
Western Area Power Administration successfully transferred functional Friday, April 15, 2016.
control of eligible transmission facilities ADDRESSES: Submit nominations
Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program— on October 1, 2015, and Rate Schedules electronically with the subject line
Eastern Division WAUGP–ATRR, WAUGP–AS1, NEJAC Membership 2016 to
WAUW–AS3, WAUW–AS4, WAUW– martin.karenl.@epa.gov. You also may
AGENCY: Western Area Power
AS5, WAUW–AS6 and WAUW–AS7 submit nominations by mail to: Karen L.
Administration, DOE.
were made effective on that date. Martin, NEJAC Project Manager, Office
ACTION: Notice of transfer of functional
Availability of Information of Environmental Justice, U.S.
control of eligible Western-Upper Great
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200
Plains Region transmission facilities to Information regarding the public Pennsylvania Avenue NW., (MC
Southwest Power Pool, Inc. on October process for Western-UGP’s formula rate
1, 2015, and Rate Schedules WAUGP– 2201A), Washington, DC 20460. Non-
adjustment process and annual electronic submissions must follow the
ATRR, WAUGP–AS1, WAUW–AS3, recalculation is available on Western’s
WAUW–AS4, WAUW–AS5, WAUW– same format and contain the same
Web site and Western-UGP’s Open information. The Office of
AS6 and WAUW–AS7 made effective on Access Same-Time Information System
that date. Environmental Justice will acknowledge
(OASIS) home page, which are located receipt of nominations.
SUMMARY: Western Area Power respectively at the following locations: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Administration (Western) transferred https://www.wapa.gov/regions/UGP/ Matthew Tejada, Designated Federal
functional control of eligible Western- rates/Pages/rates.aspx Officer for the NEJAC, U.S. EPA;
Upper Great Plains Region (Western- http://www.oatioasis.com/wapa/ telephone (202) 564–8047; fax: (202)
UGP) transmission facilities to index.html 564–1624.
Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP) on Dated: February 8, 2016. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
October 1, 2015. Transmission service is Mark A. Gabriel, NEJAC is a federal advisory committee
being provided over Western-UGP’s Administrator. chartered under the Federal Advisory
eligible facilities under SPP’s Open [FR Doc. 2016–03362 Filed 2–17–16; 8:45 am] Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92–
Access Transmission Tariff. Western- 463. EPA established the NEJAC in 1993
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
UGP costs are included in Western-UGP to provide independent consensus
Formula rates for Transmission and advice to the EPA Administrator about
Ancillary Services under Rate a broad range of environmental issues
Schedules WAUGP–ATRR, WAUGP– ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY related to environmental justice. The
AS1, WAUW–AS3, WAUW–AS4, NEJAC conducts business in accordance
WAUW–AS5, WAUW–AS6 and [FRL–9942–51–OECA] with the Federal Advisory Committee
WAUW–AS7, which became effective Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2) and
on October 1, 2015. National Environmental Justice related regulations.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Advisory Council The Council consists of 28 members
Lloyd Linke, Vice President of AGENCY: Environmental Protection (including a Chairperson) appointed by
Operations for Upper Great Plains Agency (EPA). EPA’s Administrator. Members serve as
Region, Upper Great Plains Region, non-federal stakeholders representing:
ACTION: Request for Nominations to the
Western Area Power Administration, six (6) from academia, two (2) from
National Environmental Justice
1330 41st Street, Watertown, SD, 57201; business and industry; six (6) from
Advisory Council (NEJAC).
telephone: (605) 882–7500; email: community based organizations; seven
Lloyd@wapa.gov; or Ms. Linda Cady-
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental (7) from non-governmental/
Hoffman, Rates Manager, Upper Great Protection Agency (EPA) invites environmental organizations; four (4)
Plains Region, Western Area Power nominations from a diverse range of from state and local governments; and
Administration, 2900 4th Avenue North, qualified candidates to be considered three (3) from tribal governments and
Billings, MT 59101–1266; telephone: for appointment to its National indigenous organizations, of which one
(406) 255–2920; email: cady@wapa.gov. Environmental Justice Advisory Council member serves as a liaison to the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July (NEJAC). The NEJAC was chartered to National Tribal Caucus. Members are
27, 2015, Western published a Federal provide advice regarding broad, cross- appointed for three (3)-year terms with

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Document Created: 2016-02-18 07:46:23
Document Modified: 2016-02-18 07:46:23

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 8196

81 FR 8196 - Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Leach Xpress and Rayne Xpress Expansion Projects

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYFederal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 32 (February 18, 2016)

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission