81 FR 94360 - Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed East-West Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 247 (December 23, 2016)
| Page Range | 94360-94362 | |
| FR Document | 2016-31000 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 247 (Friday, December 23, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 94360-94362] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-31000] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP17-8-000] Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed East-West 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 East-West Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Florida Gas Transmission Company, LLC (FGT) in Acadia and Calcasieu parishes, Louisiana, and Wharton, Matagorda, Orange, and Jefferson counties, Texas. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine whether the 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 project. You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the 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 January 18, 2017. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on October 31, 2016, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP17-8-000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental mailing list for this project. State and local government representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed 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 proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the Commission approves the 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. FGT provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' 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. It is also available for viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Public Participation For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or [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 project docket number (CP17-8-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Summary of the Proposed Project FGT proposes to construct and operate approximately 24.7 miles of new lateral and connection pipeline and four new meter stations and auxiliary and appurtenant facilities in Texas and Louisiana. The East- West Project would [[Page 94361]] provide new capacity of 275,000 MMBtu/d on FGT's pipeline system in the western division to meet the demand for additional transportation and delivery of natural gas to the Port Arthur--Motiva Meter and Regulator (M&R) Station and the Wilson--Coastal Bend M&R Station in Jefferson and Wharton Counties, Texas respectively. The Project would consist of the following facilities:13.2 miles of 12-inch-diameter delivery lateral pipe in Matagorda and Wharton Counties, Texas; 11.0 miles of 16-inch-diameter delivery lateral pipe in Jefferson County, Texas; two new M&R stations in Wharton and Jefferson Counties, Texas; modifications to station piping and installation of automated valves at Compressor Station 6 in Orange County, Texas; 0.5 mile of 16-inch-diameter connection piping and M&R facilities in Acadia Parish, Louisiana; and 0.02 mile of 12-inch-diameter connection piping and M&R facilities in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.\1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 317 acres of land for the pipelines and aboveground facilities. Following construction, FGT would maintain about 155 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. 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 \2\ 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 address in the EA. We will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ ``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 proposed project under these general headings: Geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; air quality and noise; endangered and threatened species; public safety; and cumulative impacts We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA 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 making 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 of this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA.\3\ 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ 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 applicable State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential effects on historic properties.\4\ We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs as the project develops. On 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 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 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 proposed project. If we publish and distribute the EA, 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 (appendix 2). Becoming an Intervenor In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, 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 [[Page 94362]] intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the ``Document-less Intervention Guide'' under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's Web site. Motions to intervene are more fully described at http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. Additional Information 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 at 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., CP17- 8). 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 sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information. Dated: December 19, 2016. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016-31000 Filed 12-22-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![94360 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 247 / Friday, December 23, 2016 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the project, that approval
Federal Energy Regulatory Federal Energy Regulatory conveys with it the right of eminent
Commission Commission domain. Therefore, if easement
[Docket No. CP17–8–000] negotiations fail to produce an
[Docket No. NJ17–5–000] agreement, the pipeline company could
Florida Gas Transmission Company, initiate condemnation proceedings
City of Riverside, California; Notice of LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an where compensation would be
Filing Environmental Assessment for the determined in accordance with state
Proposed East-West Project and law.
Take notice that on December 7, 2016, Request for Comments on FGT provided landowners with a fact
the City of Riverside, California Environmental Issues sheet prepared by the FERC entitled
submitted its tariff filing: City of ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On
Riverside, California 2017 Transmission The staff of the Federal Energy My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’
Revenue Balancing Account Regulatory Commission (FERC or This fact sheet addresses a number of
Adjustment/Existing Transmission Commission) will prepare an typically asked questions, including the
Contracts Update to be effective 1/1/ environmental assessment (EA) that will use of eminent domain and how to
2017. discuss the environmental impacts of participate in the Commission’s
Any person desiring to intervene or to the East-West Project involving proceedings. It is also available for
protest this filing must file in construction and operation of facilities viewing on the FERC Web site
accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of by Florida Gas Transmission Company, (www.ferc.gov).
the Commission’s Rules of Practice and LLC (FGT) in Acadia and Calcasieu
parishes, Louisiana, and Wharton, Public Participation
Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214).
Protests will be considered by the Matagorda, Orange, and Jefferson For your convenience, there are three
Commission in determining the counties, Texas. The Commission will methods you can use to submit your
appropriate action to be taken, but will use this EA in its decision-making comments to the Commission. The
not serve to make protestants parties to process to determine whether the Commission encourages electronic filing
the proceeding. Any person wishing to project is in the public convenience and of comments and has expert staff
become a party must file a notice of necessity. available to assist you at (202) 502–8258
This notice announces the opening of or efiling@ferc.gov. Please carefully
intervention or motion to intervene, as
the scoping process the Commission follow these instructions so that your
appropriate. Such notices, motions, or
will use to gather input from the public comments are properly recorded.
protests must be filed on or before the
and interested agencies on the project. (1) You can file your comments
comment date. Anyone filing a motion
You can make a difference by providing electronically using the eComment
to intervene or protest must serve a copy
us with your specific comments or feature on the Commission’s Web site
of that document on the Applicant and
concerns about the project. Your (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
all the parties in this proceeding.
comments should focus on the potential Documents and Filings. This is an easy
The Commission encourages environmental effects, reasonable method for submitting brief, text-only
electronic submission of protests and alternatives, and measures to avoid or comments on a project;
interventions in lieu of paper using the lessen environmental impacts. Your (2) You can file your comments
‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://www.ferc.gov. input will help the Commission staff electronically by using the eFiling
Persons unable to file electronically determine what issues they need to feature on the Commission’s Web site
should submit an original and 5 copies evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your (www.ferc.gov) under the link to
of the protest or intervention to the comments are timely and properly Documents and Filings. With eFiling,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, recorded, please send your comments so you can provide comments in a variety
888 First Street NE., Washington, DC that the Commission receives them in of formats by attaching them as a file
20426. Washington, DC on or before January 18, with your submission. New eFiling
This filing is accessible on-line at 2017. users must first create an account by
http://www.ferc.gov, using the If you sent comments on this project clicking on ‘‘eRegister.’’ If you are filing
‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for to the Commission before the opening of a comment on a particular project,
electronic review in the Commission’s this docket on October 31, 2016, you please select ‘‘Comment on a Filing’’ as
Public Reference Room in Washington, will need to file those comments in the filing type; or
DC. There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on Docket No. CP17–8–000 to ensure they (3) You can file a paper copy of your
the Web site that enables subscribers to are considered as part of this comments by mailing them to the
receive email notification when a proceeding. following address. Be sure to reference
document is added to a subscribed This notice is being sent to the the project docket number (CP17–8–
docket(s). For assistance with any FERC Commission’s current environmental 000) with your submission:
Online service, please email mailing list for this project. State and Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call local government representatives should Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
(866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call notify their constituents of this First Street NE., Room 1A,
(202) 502–8659. proposed project and encourage them to Washington, DC 20426.
comment on their areas of concern.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Summary of the Proposed Project
Time on December 28, 2016. If you are a landowner receiving this
notice, a pipeline company FGT proposes to construct and
Dated: December 19, 2016. representative may contact you about operate approximately 24.7 miles of
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., the acquisition of an easement to new lateral and connection pipeline and
Deputy Secretary. construct, operate, and maintain the four new meter stations and auxiliary
[FR Doc. 2016–30979 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am] proposed facilities. The company would and appurtenant facilities in Texas and
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable Louisiana. The East-West Project would
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Dec 22, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23DEN1.SGM 23DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_94607/page/1.svg)
![94362 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 247 / Friday, December 23, 2016 / Notices
intervene. Instructions for becoming an accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of
intervenor are in the ‘‘Document-less the Commission’s Rules of Practice and the Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Intervention Guide’’ under the ‘‘e-filing’’ Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214). Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214).
link on the Commission’s Web site. Protests will be considered by the Protests will be considered by the
Motions to intervene are more fully Commission in determining the Commission in determining the
described at http://www.ferc.gov/ appropriate action to be taken, but will appropriate action to be taken, but will
resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. not serve to make protestants parties to not serve to make protestants parties to
the proceeding. Any person wishing to the proceeding. Any person wishing to
Additional Information
become a party must file a notice of become a party must file a notice of
Additional information about the intervention or motion to intervene, as intervention or motion to intervene, as
project is available from the appropriate. Such notices, motions, or appropriate. Such notices, motions, or
Commission’s Office of External Affairs, protests must be filed on or before the protests must be filed on or before the
at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web comment date. Anyone filing a motion comment date. Anyone filing a motion
site at www.ferc.gov using the to intervene or protest must serve a copy to intervene or protest must serve a copy
‘‘eLibrary’’ link. Click on the eLibrary of that document on the Applicant and of that document on the Applicant and
link, click on ‘‘General Search’’ and all the parties in this proceeding. all the parties in this proceeding.
enter the docket number, excluding the The Commission encourages The Commission encourages
last three digits in the Docket Number electronic submission of protests and electronic submission of protests and
field (i.e., CP17–8). Be sure you have interventions in lieu of paper using the interventions in lieu of paper using the
selected an appropriate date range. For ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://www.ferc.gov. ‘‘eFiling’’ link at http://www.ferc.gov.
assistance, please contact FERC Online Persons unable to file electronically Persons unable to file electronically
Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov should submit an original and 5 copies should submit an original and 5 copies
or toll free at (866) 208–3676, or for of the protest or intervention to the of the protest or intervention to the
TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
eLibrary link also provides access to the 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC
texts of formal documents issued by the 20426. 20426.
Commission, such as orders, notices, This filing is accessible on-line at This filing is accessible on-line at
and rulemakings. http://www.ferc.gov, using the http://www.ferc.gov, using the
In addition, the Commission offers a ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for ‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for
free service called eSubscription which electronic review in the Commission’s electronic review in the Commission’s
allows you to keep track of all formal Public Reference Room in Washington, Public Reference Room in Washington,
issuances and submittals in specific DC. There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on DC. There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on
dockets. This can reduce the amount of the Web site that enables subscribers to the Web site that enables subscribers to
time you spend researching proceedings receive email notification when a receive email notification when a
by automatically providing you with document is added to a subscribed document is added to a subscribed
notification of these filings, document docket(s). For assistance with any FERC docket(s). For assistance with any FERC
summaries, and direct links to the Online service, please email Online service, please email
documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs- FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call
filing/esubscription.asp. (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
Finally, public sessions or site visits (202) 502–8659. (202) 502–8659.
will be posted on the Commission’s Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/ Time on January 3, 2017. Time on December 29, 2016.
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along Dated: December 19, 2016. Dated: December 19, 2016.
with other related information.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Dated: December 19, 2016. Deputy Secretary. Deputy Secretary.
Kimberly D. Bose, [FR Doc. 2016–30981 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am] [FR Doc. 2016–30980 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am]
Secretary. BILLING CODE 6717–01–P BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
[FR Doc. 2016–31000 Filed 12–22–16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory
[Docket No. NJ17–6–000] [Docket No. PR17–2–000]
Commission
[Docket No. NJ17–7–000] City of Banning, California; Notice of Eagle Ford Midstream, LP; Notice of
Filing Staff Protest to Petition for Rate
City of Anaheim, California; Notice of Approval
Filing Take notice that on December 8, 2016,
the City of Banning, California 1. Commission staff hereby protests,
Take notice that on December 13, submitted its tariff filing: City of pursuant to section 284.123(g)(4)(i) of
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
2016, the City of Anaheim, California Banning, California 2017 Transmission the Commission’s regulations, the
submitted its tariff filing: City of Revenue Balancing Account Petition for Rate Approval filed by Eagle
Anaheim, California 2017 Transmission Adjustment/Existing Transmission Ford Midstream, LP (Eagle Ford) on
Revenue Balancing Account Adjustment Contracts Update to be effective 1/1/ October 11, 2016, in the above
Update to be effective 1/1/2017. 2017. referenced docket. Pursuant to the
Any person desiring to intervene or to Any person desiring to intervene or to Stipulation and Agreement approved by
protest this filing must file in protest this filing must file in the Commission in Docket Nos. PR12–
VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:33 Dec 22, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\23DEN1.SGM 23DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_94607/page/3.svg)
Document Created: 2016-12-23 12:29:28
Document Modified: 2016-12-23 12:29:28
| 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 94360 |
2025 Federal Register | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy
USC | CFR | eCFR