82 FR 14216 - Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the 2017 Expansion Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 51 (March 17, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 51 (Friday, March 17, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14216-14217]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05308]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP17-28-000]


Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the 2017 Expansion Project

    On December 30, 2016, Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (Eastern 
Shore) filed an application in Docket No. CP17-28-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural 
gas pipeline facilities. Eastern Shore's proposal is known as the 2017

[[Page 14217]]

Expansion Project (Project), and would involve construction of 
approximately 40 miles of pipeline and appurtenant facilities located 
in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware to provide 61,162 dekatherms 
per day of additional firm transportation service.
    On January 11, 2017, 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 12, 2017.
    90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--August 10, 2017.
    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 facilities to be constructed and operated under Section 7(c) 
include: (1) Six pipeline loop segments totaling 22.7 miles; (2) one 
10-inch-diameter 16.9-mile-long mainline extension; (3) upgrades to an 
existing Meter and Regulator Station in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; 
(4) installation of an additional 3,750 horsepower compressor unit at 
the existing Daleville Compressor Station in Chester County, 
Pennsylvania; and (5) the addition of two pressure control stations in 
Sussex County, Delaware.

Background

    On August 1, 2016, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 2017 Expansion 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI 
was issued during the pre-filing review of the Project in Docket no. 
PF16-7 and was sent to federal, state, and local government 
representatives and agencies; elected officials; Native American 
tribes; potentially affected landowners; and other interested 
individuals and groups in the Project area. In response to the Notice 
of Intent, the Commission received comments from the Pennsylvania 
Department of Environmental Protection, West Sadsbury Township, the 
Chester Water Authority, the Maryland Historical Trust, the Delaware 
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control--Division of 
Fish and Wildlife, the Franklin Township Historical Commission, and the 
National Park Service. The primary concerns raised were regarding 
wetland and waterbody impacts; potential damage to water mains; impacts 
on the White Clay Creek National Wild and Scenic River; potential 
impacts on bog turtles and their habitat; and potential impacts on 
historic, scenic, or cultural resources. Five private landowners filed 
comments expressing questions or concerns regarding the right-of-way 
acquisition process, overall public safety and pipeline reliability, 
restoration efforts, and the procedures to be used should future 
roadway widening occur where the pipeline is installed under the 
highway.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service are cooperating 
agencies in the preparation of the EA.

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., CP17-28), 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: March 10, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-05308 Filed 3-16-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P