82 FR 16183 - Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed WB Xpress Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 62 (April 3, 2017)

Page Range		16183-16184
FR Document		2017-06417
Federal Register, Volume 82 Issue 62 (Monday, April 3, 2017)
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 62 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16183-16184]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-06417]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-38-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed WB Xpress Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the WB 
XPress Project, proposed by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) 
in the above-referenced docket. Columbia requests authorization to 
perform the following: (i) Installation, construction, and operation of 
about 29.3 miles of various diameter pipeline; (ii) modifications to 
seven existing compressor stations; (iii) construction and operation of 
two new compressor stations; (iv) uprates and restoration of the 
maximum allowable operating pressure (MAOP) on various segments of the 
existing WB and VB natural gas transmission pipeline systems; and (v) 
installation of various appurtenant and auxiliary facilities, all 
located in either Braxton, Clay, Grant, Hardy, Kanawha, Pendleton, 
Randolph, and Upshur Counties, West Virginia, or Clark, Fairfax, 
Fauquier, Loudoun, Shenandoah, or Warren Counties, Virginia.
    The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the WB XPress 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 U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, West Virginia Department of Environmental 
Protection, and West Virginia Division of Natural Resources 
participated as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EA. 
Cooperating agencies have jurisdiction by law or special expertise with 
respect to resources potentially affected by the proposal and 
participate in the NEPA analysis. The USFS and U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers will adopt the EA to fulfill their agency's NEPA obligations. 
The USFS will use the EA, as well as other supporting documentation, to 
consider the issuance of right-of-way authorization for the portion of 
the project on National Forest System lands. The U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers will use the EA and supporting documentation to consider the 
issuance of Clean Water Act Section 404 and Rivers and Harbors Act 
Section 10 permits.
    The proposed WB XPress Project includes the following facilities:

West Virginia

    Aboveground Facilities:
     One new West Virginia Compressor Station: A new, natural 
gas-fired compressor station at approximately MP 0.3 of the Line WB-5 
Extension in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
     Installation of new valve sites and launcher/receiver 
facilities along Line WB-5 in Kanawha, Grant and Clay Counties, West 
Virginia.
     Modifications to increase horsepower at four (4) existing 
Compressor Stations including Cleveland, Files Creek, Seneca, and Lost 
River Compressor Stations in Upshur, Randolph, Pendleton, and Hardy 
Counties, West Virginia, respectively.
     Modifications to existing natural gas pipeline 
appurtenances at the Frametown Compressor Station in Braxton County, 
West Virginia.
     Modifications to four existing Valve Sites including Glady 
Valve Site in Randolph County, West Virginia; Dink Valve Site in Clay 
County, West Virginia; Whitmer and Smokehole in Pendleton County, West 
Virginia; and one regulator station, Panther Mountain Regulator 
Station, in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
    Pipeline Facilities:
     Line WB-5 Extension: Installation of approximately 0.3 
mile of new 36-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline from the 
planned new Compressor Station to the Panther Mountain Regulator 
Station in Kanawha County, West Virginia.
     Line WB-22: Installation of approximately 0.6 mile of new 
36-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline from the proposed 
new West Virginia Compressor Stations to the Panther Regulator Station, 
ending at the proposed WB-22 Receiver Site in Kanawha County, West 
Virginia.
     Line WB: Generally lift and lay replacement of 
approximately 25.5 miles of 26-inch-diameter natural gas transmission 
pipeline loop and associated appurtenances in Randolph and Pendleton 
Counties, West Virginia.
     Line WB: Replacement of 5 sections, totaling approximately 
0.3 mile of 26-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline between 
Mileposts (MP) 134.6 and 146.4 in Pendleton, Grant, and Hardy Counties, 
West Virginia.

[[Page 16184]]

     Line WB-5: Replacement of approximately 1,185 feet (0.2 
mile) of 36-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline between MP 
4.5 and MP 4.7 in Grant County, West Virginia.
    MAOP Restoration:
     Line WB-5: Incremental pressure increase of approximately 
72.4 miles of the Line WB-5 Segment to restore this segment to its 
originally certificated MAOP of 1,000 square inch gauge (psig) in 
Upshur, Randolph, Pendleton, Grant and Hardy Counties, West Virginia.
    Uprate Segments:
     Line WB-6: Incremental pressure increase of approximately 
2.4 miles of the Line WB-6 to 1,000 psig MAOP in Randolph County, West 
Virginia.
     Line WB-5: Incremental pressure increase of approximately 
22.1 miles of the Line WB-5 Segment to 1,000 psig in Pendleton, Grant, 
and Hardy Counties, West Virginia.

Virginia

    Aboveground Facilities:
     One new, electric-driven compressor station at 
approximately MP 0.0 of the proposed new Line VA-1 in Fairfax County, 
Virginia.
     Installation of a receiver facility at the end of the 
proposed Line VA-1, in Fairfax County, Virginia.
     Modifications to increase horsepower at the existing 
Strasburg Compressor Station located in Shenandoah County Virginia, in 
order to increase capacity for the transportation of additional volume 
along Columbia's Line VB natural gas pipeline system.
     Modifications to existing natural gas pipeline 
appurtenances at the Loudoun Compressor Station in Loudoun County, 
Virginia.
     Modifications to the existing Dysart Valve Site, in 
Shenandoah County, Virginia and one metering station, Nineveh Meter 
Station, in Warren County, Virginia.
    Pipeline Facilities:
     Line VA-1: Installation of approximately 2.2 miles of new 
12-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline and associated 
appurtenances in Fairfax County, Virginia.
    MAOP Restoration:
     Line VB-5: Incremental pressure increase of approximately 
70.4 miles of the Line VB-5 Segment to restore this segment to its 
originally certificated MAOP of 1,000 psig in Shenandoah, Warren, 
Clark, Fauquier, and Loudoun Counties, Virginia.
    The USFS's purpose and need for the proposed action is to respond 
to a special use application, submitted by Columbia on August 19, 2016, 
to allow the construction and operation of the WB XPress project on 
national forest system lands managed by the Monongahela National 
Forest.
    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; interested individuals and groups; and 
newspapers and libraries in the project area. Everyone on our 
environmental mailing list will receive a CD version of the EA. 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 April 24, 
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 (CP16-38-000) 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).\1\ 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.
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    \1\ See the previous discussion on the methods for filing 
comments.
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    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-
38). 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: March 24, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-06417 Filed 3-31-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 62 / Monday, April 3, 2017 / Notices 16183

containing two turbine-generator units DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY System lands. The U.S. Army Corps of
with a total rated capacity of 172 Engineers will use the EA and
megawatts; (6) a new transmission line Federal Energy Regulatory supporting documentation to consider
connecting the powerhouse to a nearby Commission the issuance of Clean Water Act Section
electric grid interconnection point with [Docket No. CP16–38–000] 404 and Rivers and Harbors Act Section
options to evaluate multiple grid 10 permits.
interconnection locations; and (7) Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; The proposed WB XPress Project
appurtenant facilities. Possible initial Notice of Availability of the includes the following facilities:
fill water and make-up water would Environmental Assessment for the West Virginia
come from the Lackawanna River. The Proposed WB Xpress Project
Aboveground Facilities:
proposed project would have an annual The staff of the Federal Energy • One new West Virginia Compressor
generation of 502,717 megawatt-hours. Regulatory Commission (FERC or Station: A new, natural gas-fired
Applicant Contact: Adam Rousselle, Commission) has prepared an compressor station at approximately MP
Merchant Hydro Developers, LLC, 5710 environmental assessment (EA) for the 0.3 of the Line WB–5 Extension in
Oak Crest Drive, Doylestown, PA 18902; WB XPress Project, proposed by Kanawha County, West Virginia.
phone: (267) 254–6107. Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC • Installation of new valve sites and
(Columbia) in the above-referenced launcher/receiver facilities along Line
FERC Contact: Tim Looney; phone: docket. Columbia requests authorization WB–5 in Kanawha, Grant and Clay
(202) 502–6096. to perform the following: (i) Installation, Counties, West Virginia.
Deadline for filing comments, motions construction, and operation of about • Modifications to increase
to intervene, competing applications 29.3 miles of various diameter pipeline; horsepower at four (4) existing
(without notices of intent), or notices of (ii) modifications to seven existing Compressor Stations including
intent to file competing applications: 60 compressor stations; (iii) construction Cleveland, Files Creek, Seneca, and Lost
days from the issuance of this notice. and operation of two new compressor River Compressor Stations in Upshur,
Competing applications and notices of stations; (iv) uprates and restoration of Randolph, Pendleton, and Hardy
intent must meet the requirements of 18 the maximum allowable operating Counties, West Virginia, respectively.
CFR 4.36. pressure (MAOP) on various segments • Modifications to existing natural
of the existing WB and VB natural gas gas pipeline appurtenances at the
The Commission strongly encourages transmission pipeline systems; and (v) Frametown Compressor Station in
electronic filing. Please file comments, installation of various appurtenant and Braxton County, West Virginia.
motions to intervene, notices of intent, auxiliary facilities, all located in either • Modifications to four existing Valve
and competing applications using the Braxton, Clay, Grant, Hardy, Kanawha, Sites including Glady Valve Site in
Commission’s eFiling system at http:// Pendleton, Randolph, and Upshur Randolph County, West Virginia; Dink
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling.asp. Counties, West Virginia, or Clark, Valve Site in Clay County, West
Commenters can submit brief comments Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Virginia; Whitmer and Smokehole in
up to 6,000 characters, without prior Shenandoah, or Warren Counties, Pendleton County, West Virginia; and
registration, using the eComment system Virginia. one regulator station, Panther Mountain
at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ The EA assesses the potential Regulator Station, in Kanawha County,
ecomment.asp. You must include your environmental effects of the West Virginia.
name and contact information at the end construction and operation of the WB Pipeline Facilities:
of your comments. For assistance, XPress Project in accordance with the • Line WB–5 Extension: Installation
please contact FERC Online Support at requirements of the National of approximately 0.3 mile of new 36-
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The inch-diameter natural gas transmission
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
FERC staff concludes that approval of pipeline from the planned new
208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
the proposed project, with appropriate Compressor Station to the Panther
(TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, please
mitigating measures, would not Mountain Regulator Station in Kanawha
send a paper copy to: Secretary, Federal constitute a major federal action County, West Virginia.
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 significantly affecting the quality of the • Line WB–22: Installation of
First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426. human environment. approximately 0.6 mile of new 36-inch-
The first page of any filing should The U.S. Forest Service (USFS), U.S. diameter natural gas transmission
include docket number P–14808–000. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army pipeline from the proposed new West
More information about this project, Corps of Engineers, West Virginia Virginia Compressor Stations to the
including a copy of the application, can Department of Environmental Panther Regulator Station, ending at the
be viewed or printed on the ‘‘eLibrary’’ Protection, and West Virginia Division proposed WB–22 Receiver Site in
link of the Commission’s Web site at of Natural Resources participated as Kanawha County, West Virginia.
http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ cooperating agencies in the preparation • Line WB: Generally lift and lay
elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number of the EA. Cooperating agencies have replacement of approximately 25.5
(P–14808) in the docket number field to jurisdiction by law or special expertise miles of 26-inch-diameter natural gas
access the document. For assistance, with respect to resources potentially transmission pipeline loop and
affected by the proposal and participate associated appurtenances in Randolph
contact FERC Online Support.
in the NEPA analysis. The USFS and and Pendleton Counties, West Virginia.
mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES

Dated: March 28, 2017. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will • Line WB: Replacement of 5
Kimberly D. Bose, adopt the EA to fulfill their agency’s sections, totaling approximately 0.3
Secretary. NEPA obligations. The USFS will use mile of 26-inch-diameter natural gas
[FR Doc. 2017–06469 Filed 3–31–17; 8:45 am] the EA, as well as other supporting transmission pipeline between
documentation, to consider the issuance Mileposts (MP) 134.6 and 146.4 in
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
of right-of-way authorization for the Pendleton, Grant, and Hardy Counties,
portion of the project on National Forest West Virginia.

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Document Created: 2017-04-01 09:36:17
Document Modified: 2017-04-01 09:36:17
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		82 FR 16183
82 FR 16183 - Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed WB Xpress Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGYFederal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 62 (April 3, 2017)

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
