81 FR 91159 - Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Cedar Station Upgrade Project
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 242 (December 16, 2016)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 242 (December 16, 2016)
| Page Range | 91159-91160 | |
| FR Document | 2016-30207 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 91159-91160] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-30207] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP16-487-000] Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Cedar Station Upgrade Project The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the Cedar Station Upgrade Project, proposed by Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) in the above-referenced docket. Northern requests authorization to construct approximately 7.86 miles of natural gas pipeline in Dakota County, Minnesota in order to fulfill its contractual obligation with Northern States Power Company, a Minnesota Corporation (NSP-MN) to increase the delivery pressure to NSP-MN's existing Black Dog Generating Station from 400 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) to 650 psig. As part of NSP-MN's process [[Page 91160]] of reducing its carbon footprint, it has increased its use of natural gas-fired generation. The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the Cedar Station Upgrade Project in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FERC staff concludes that approval of the proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. The Cedar Station Upgrade Project includes the following facilities:Approximately 7.86 miles of new 20-inch-diameter pipeline loop; \1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ A pipeline ``loop'' is a segment of pipe installed adjacent to an existing pipeline and connected to the existing pipeline at both ends. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- a new pig \2\ launcher and takeoff valve setting at Northern's existing Rosemount Junction facility; and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ A ``pig'' is an internal pipeline tool used to clean a pipeline and/or to inspect for damage or corrosion. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- a new pig receiver, tie-in valve setting, and modification of existing regulators and piping at Northern's existing Cedar Meter Station facility. The FERC staff mailed copies of the EA to federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; potentially affected landowners and other interested individuals and groups; and newspapers and libraries in the project area. In addition, the EA is available for public viewing on the FERC's Web site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. A limited number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8371. Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that the Commission has the opportunity to consider your comments prior to making its decision on this project, it is important that we receive your comments in Washington, DC on or before January 9, 2017. For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to file your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the project docket number (CP16-487-000) with your submission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or [email protected]. (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 also file your comments electronically 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.'' You must select the type of filing you are making. If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select ``Comment on a Filing''; or (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214).\3\ Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision. The Commission grants affected landowners and others with environmental concerns intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which no other party can adequately represent. Simply filing environmental comments will not give you intervenor status, but you do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ See the previous discussion on the methods for filing comments. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional information about the 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., CP16- 487). 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. Dated: December 9, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016-30207 Filed 12-15-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2016 / Notices 91159
Commission’s Public Reference Room in Project Description Additional Information
Washington, DC. There is an In order to receive notification of the
eSubscription link on the Web site that The Project would involve the
issuance of the EA and to keep track of
enables subscribers to receive email replacement of 26.2 miles of
all formal issuances and submittals in
notification when a document is added replacement pipeline and 3.1 miles of
specific dockets, the Commission offers
to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance new pipeline composed of varying
a free service called eSubscription. This
with any FERC Online service, please diameters, two new compressor stations can reduce the amount of time you
email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. or (one gas and one electric), expansions spend researching proceedings by
call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, and modifications at seven existing gas automatically providing you with
call (202) 502–8659. compressor stations, and other minor notification of these filings, document
Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern time aboveground facilities in West Virginia summaries, and direct links to the
on January 9, 2017. and Virginia. documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-
Dated: December 12, 2016. filing/esubscription.asp.
Background
Kimberly D. Bose, Additional information about the
Secretary. On July 22, 2015, the Commission Project is available from the
[FR Doc. 2016–30290 Filed 12–15–16; 8:45 am] issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Commission’s Office of External Affairs
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P Environmental Assessment for the at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC Web
Proposed WB XPress Project and site (www.ferc.gov). Using the
Request for Comments on ‘‘eLibrary’’ link, select ‘‘General Search’’
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI from the eLibrary menu, enter the
was issued during the pre-filing review selected date range and ‘‘Docket
Federal Energy Regulatory Number’’ excluding the last three digits
Commission of the Project in Docket No. PF15–21–
000 and was sent to affected (i.e., CP16–38), and follow the
[Docket No. CP16–38–000; PF15–21–000] landowners; federal, state, and local instructions. For assistance with access
to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached
government agencies; elected officials;
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659,
environmental and public interest
Notice of Schedule For Environmental or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The
groups; Native American tribes; other
Review of the WB XPress Project eLibrary link on the FERC Web site also
interested parties; and local libraries
provides access to the texts of formal
On December 30, 2015, Columbia Gas and newspapers. In response to the NOI, documents issued by the Commission,
Transmission, LLC (Columbia) filed an the Commission received comments such as orders, notices, and rule
application in Docket No. CP16–38–000 from Virginia and West Virginia state makings.
requesting a Certificate of Public agencies; Fairfax County, and five
Convenience and Necessity pursuant to landowners. After the NOI period Dated: December 9, 2016.
Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to closed, we received additional Kimberly D. Bose,
construct and operate certain natural gas comments from the U.S. Environmental Secretary.
pipeline facilities. The proposed project Protection Agency (Region 3), U.S. [FR Doc. 2016–30206 Filed 12–15–16; 8:45 am]
is known as the WB XPress Project Forest Service, West Virginia BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
(Project), and would expand the Department of Natural Resources, Town
capacity of Columbia’s existing natural
of Strasburg, Virginia, and organizations
gas pipeline system by 1.3 million DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
such as the Dulles Regional Chamber of
dekatherms per day and provide bi-
Commerce, the Southern Environmental Federal Energy Regulatory
directional transportation service in
order to meet growing market demands. Law Center, West Virginia Oil and Gas Commission
On January 14, 2016, the Federal Association, Virginia Run Community
Association, Sierra Club et al., [Docket No. CP16–487–000]
Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice Shenandoah Valley Network et al., Oil Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice
of Application for the Project. Among Change International et al., and 26 of Availability of the Environmental
other things, that notice alerted agencies interested individuals. The primary Assessment for the Proposed Cedar
issuing federal authorizations of the issues raised included the need for the Station Upgrade Project
requirement to complete all necessary project; impacts on soils, karst geology,
reviews and to reach a final decision on groundwater, waterbodies, wetlands, The staff of the Federal Energy
a request for a federal authorization sensitive and listed species, forests, Regulatory Commission (FERC or
within 90 days of the date of issuance sensitive National Forest Service lands, Commission) has prepared an
of the Commission staff’s Environmental air quality, climate change; and environmental assessment (EA) for the
Assessment (EA) for the Project. This cumulative and indirect impacts. Cedar Station Upgrade Project, proposed
instant notice identifies the FERC staff’s Alternatives, public safety, general by Northern Natural Gas Company
planned schedule for the completion of support for the project, and the need for (Northern) in the above-referenced
the EA for the Project. a programmatic environmental impact docket. Northern requests authorization
to construct approximately 7.86 miles of
Schedule for Environmental Review statement (EIS) were also raised.
natural gas pipeline in Dakota County,
Issuance of EA—March 24, 2017 The U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Minnesota in order to fulfill its
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and contractual obligation with Northern
Deadline—June 22, 2017 Wildlife Service, West Virginia States Power Company, a Minnesota
If a schedule change becomes Department of Environmental Corporation (NSP–MN) to increase the
necessary, additional notice will be Protection, and West Virginia delivery pressure to NSP–MN’s existing
provided so that the relevant agencies Department of Natural Resources are Black Dog Generating Station from 400
are kept informed of the Project’s cooperating agencies in the preparation pounds per square inch gauge (psig) to
progress. of the EA. 650 psig. As part of NSP–MN’s process
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![91160 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 242 / Friday, December 16, 2016 / Notices
of reducing its carbon footprint, it has docket number (CP16–487–000) with provides access to the texts of formal
increased its use of natural gas-fired your submission. The Commission documents issued by the Commission,
generation. encourages electronic filing of such as orders, notices, and
The EA assesses the potential comments and has expert staff available rulemakings.
environmental effects of the to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or In addition, the Commission offers a
construction and operation of the Cedar efiling@ferc.gov. free service called eSubscription which
Station Upgrade Project in accordance (1) You can file your comments allows you to keep track of all formal
with the requirements of the National electronically using the eComment issuances and submittals in specific
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The feature on the Commission’s Web site dockets. This can reduce the amount of
FERC staff concludes that approval of (www.ferc.gov) under the link to time you spend researching proceedings
the proposed project, with appropriate Documents and Filings. This is an easy by automatically providing you with
mitigating measures, would not method for submitting brief, text-only notification of these filings, document
constitute a major federal action comments on a project; summaries, and direct links to the
significantly affecting the quality of the (2) You can also file your comments documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-
human environment. electronically using the eFiling feature filing/esubscription.asp.
The Cedar Station Upgrade Project on the Commission’s Web site Dated: December 9, 2016.
includes the following facilities: (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
Kimberly D. Bose,
• Approximately 7.86 miles of new Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
20-inch-diameter pipeline loop; 1 Secretary.
you can provide comments in a variety
• a new pig 2 launcher and takeoff of formats by attaching them as a file [FR Doc. 2016–30207 Filed 12–15–16; 8:45 am]
valve setting at Northern’s existing with your submission. New eFiling BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Rosemount Junction facility; and users must first create an account by
• a new pig receiver, tie-in valve clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ You must select
setting, and modification of existing DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
the type of filing you are making. If you
regulators and piping at Northern’s are filing a comment on a particular
existing Cedar Meter Station facility. Federal Energy Regulatory
project, please select ‘‘Comment on a Commission
The FERC staff mailed copies of the Filing’’; or
EA to federal, state, and local (3) You can file a paper copy of your [Docket No. IC17–2–000]
government representatives and comments by mailing them to the
agencies; elected officials; following address: Kimberly D. Bose, Commission Information Collection
environmental and public interest Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Activities (FERC–549D and FERC–733);
groups; Native American tribes; Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room Consolidated Comment Request;
potentially affected landowners and 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Extension
other interested individuals and groups; Any person seeking to become a party AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory
and newspapers and libraries in the to the proceeding must file a motion to Commission, Department of Energy.
project area. In addition, the EA is intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the ACTION: Notice of information
available for public viewing on the Commission’s Rules of Practice and collections and request for comments.
FERC’s Web site (www.ferc.gov) using Procedures (18 CFR 385.214).3 Only
the eLibrary link. A limited number of intervenors have the right to seek SUMMARY: In compliance with the
copies of the EA are available for rehearing of the Commission’s decision. requirements of the Paperwork
distribution and public inspection at: The Commission grants affected Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, landowners and others with 3506(c)(2)(A), the Federal Energy
Public Reference Room, 888 First Street environmental concerns intervenor Regulatory Commission (Commission or
NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, status upon showing good cause by FERC) is soliciting public comment on
(202) 502–8371. stating that they have a clear and direct the requirements and burden 1 of the
Any person wishing to comment on interest in this proceeding which no information collections described
the EA may do so. Your comments other party can adequately represent. below.
should focus on the potential Simply filing environmental comments DATES: Comments on the collections of
environmental effects, reasonable will not give you intervenor status, but information are due February 14, 2017.
alternatives, and measures to avoid or you do not need intervenor status to ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
lessen environmental impacts. The more have your comments considered. (identified by Docket No. IC17–2–000)
specific your comments, the more useful Additional information about the by either of the following methods:
they will be. To ensure that the project is available from the • eFiling at Commission’s Web site:
Commission has the opportunity to Commission’s Office of External Affairs, http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
consider your comments prior to at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web efiling.asp.
making its decision on this project, it is site (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary • Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier:
important that we receive your link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
comments in Washington, DC on or ‘‘General Search,’’ and enter the docket Secretary of the Commission, 888 First
before January 9, 2017. number excluding the last three digits in Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.
For your convenience, there are three the Docket Number field (i.e., CP16– Please reference the specific
methods you can use to file your 487). Be sure you have selected an collection number and/or title in your
comments to the Commission. In all
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
appropriate date range. For assistance, comments.
instances, please reference the project please contact FERC Online Support at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free 1 The Commission defines burden as the total
1A pipeline ‘‘loop’’ is a segment of pipe installed
at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact time, effort, or financial resources expended by
adjacent to an existing pipeline and connected to persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or
the existing pipeline at both ends. (202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also provide information to or for a Federal agency. For
2 A ‘‘pig’’ is an internal pipeline tool used to clean further explanation of what is included in the
a pipeline and/or to inspect for damage or 3 See the previous discussion on the methods for information collection burden, reference 5 Code of
corrosion. filing comments. Federal Regulations 1320.3.
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Document Created: 2018-02-14 09:07:59
Document Modified: 2018-02-14 09:07:59
| 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 91159 |
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