82 FR 33489 - Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Gulf Connector Expansion Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 138 (July 20, 2017)

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 138 (Thursday, July 20, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 33489]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15244]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-494-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule 
for Environmental Review of the Gulf Connector Expansion Project

    On August 16, 2016, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC 
(Transco) filed an application in Docket No. CP16-494-000 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 in Wharton, Hardin, San Patricio and Victoria 
Counties, Texas. The Gulf Connector Expansion Project (Project) would 
enable 475,000 dekatherms per day of incremental firm natural gas 
transportation.
    On August 25, 2016, 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, September 21, 2017
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline, December 20, 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

    Transco proposes to construct new compressor stations in San 
Patricio, Victoria, and Wharton Counties. The three new compressor 
stations would total 30,650 horsepower. In addition, there would be 
modifications to an existing compressor station in Hardin County and 
modifications to an existing compressor station in Wharton County. 
Transco would also decommission a compressor station in Refugio County, 
use the site as a construction storage yard, and construct a new 
interconnection in San Patricio County.

Background

    On September 22, 2016, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Gulf Connector 
Expansion Project 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 a letter from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department that 
included several recommendations for mitigating impacts on migratory 
birds, wildlife, and vegetation.

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., CP16-494), 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: July 14, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-15244 Filed 7-19-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P