81 FR 9842 - Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Gaines County Crossover Compressor Station Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 38 (February 26, 2016)

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 38 (Friday, February 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 9842]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-04146]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP15-552-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Gaines County Crossover Compressor Station 
Project

    On September 9, 2015, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed 
an application in Docket No. CP15-552-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct and operate a new compressor station in 
Gaines County, Texas. The proposed project is known as the Gaines 
County Crossover Compressor Station Project (Project), and would 
deliver an additional 210 million standard cubic feet of natural gas 
per day to supply natural gas for electrical power plants.
    On September 22, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice 
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the 
EA for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--May 9, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--August 7, 2016

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

Project Description

    The Project would include installation of two compressor units with 
a combined horsepower of 18,089. The suction side of the compressor 
station would be connected to Northern's existing 30-inch-diameter 
Spraberry to Plains Pipeline. The station would discharge to Northern's 
existing 30-inch-diameter Kermit to Beaver Pipeline. The proposed 
Project would also include the installation of two compressor 
buildings, a control building, an auxiliary building, associated above-
grade and below-grade piping, and valves and instrumentation.

Background

    On October 22, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Gaines County 
Crossover Compressor Station and Request for Comments on Environmental 
Issues (NOI). The NOI was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, 
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested 
parties; and local libraries and newspapers. In response to the NOI, 
the Commission received one comment from the Bureau of Indian Affairs 
recommending consultation with four different tribes with historic 
traditions in the area. No issues of environmental concern were raised 
by the commentor.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA 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 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, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP15-552), 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 19, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-04146 Filed 2-25-16; 8:45 am]
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