82 FR 21384 - Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Eastern Market Access Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 87 (May 8, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 87 (Monday, May 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21384-21385]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-09245]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP17-15-000]


Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP; Notice of Schedule for Environmental 
Review of the Eastern Market Access Project

    On November 15, 2016, Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP (Dominion) filed 
an application in Docket No. CP17-15-000 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. DCP's proposed Eastern Market Access Project (Project) in 
Maryland and Virginia would transport about 294 million cubic feet per 
day of firm natural gas service to Washington Gas Light Company and 
provide fuel to Mattawoman Energy, LLC's Mattawoman Energy Center 
(power generation facility).
    On November 30, 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(FERC or Commission) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on the 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 completion of the EA 
for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of the EA June 27, 2017
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline September 25, 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 Eastern Market Access Project consists of a new 24,370 
horsepower (hp) compressor station and installation of two new taps at 
an existing Washington Gas Light Company Interconnect in Charles 
County, Maryland; one new 7,000 hp electric-driven compressor and 
replacement of three existing gas coolers and compression cylinders at 
the existing Loudoun County Compressor Station, and a new meter 
building to enclose existing equipment at the Loudoun Meter & 
Regulating Station in Loudoun County, Virginia; and re-wheeling of the 
compressor on a 17,400 hp electric unit and upgrading two gas coolers 
at the Pleasant Valley Compressor Station in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Background

    On February 15, 2017, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Eastern Market 
Access Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and 
Notice of Public Scoping Session (NOI). The NOI was sent to affected 
landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; elected 
officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American 
tribes; local libraries and newspapers; and other interested parties. 
In response to the Notice of Application and the NOI, the Commission 
received 336 comments, including comments from 2 federal agencies, 4 
local agencies, 4 state agencies, 3 non-governmental agencies, 14 
companies (including 6 chambers of commerce), and 328 individuals. The 
primary issues raised during scoping include impacts on: Drinking water 
supplies, surface waterbodies, and wetlands; forested areas and 
wildlife; surrounding land use; visual resources; historic properties 
and Native American tribes; air quality and noise; and public safety.

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., CP17-15), 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

[[Page 21385]]

provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: May 2, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-09245 Filed 5-5-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P