82 FR 60981 - Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Line 8000 Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 246 (December 26, 2017)
| Page Range | 60981-60983 | |
| FR Document | 2017-27729 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 26, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 60981-60983] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-27729] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP18-13-000] Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Line 8000 Replacement Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Line 8000 Replacement Project involving the abandonment, construction, and operation of facilities by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in Mineral County, West Virginia and Allegany County, Maryland. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity. This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the project. You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before January 18, 2018. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on November 3, 2017, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP18-13-000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental mailing list for this project. State and local government representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the Commission approves the project, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings where compensation would be determined in accordance with state law. Columbia provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' This fact sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. It is also available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Public Participation For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff [[Page 60982]] available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or [email protected]. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature on the Commission's website (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 file your comments electronically by using the eFiling feature on the Commission's website (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.'' If you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select ``Comment on a Filing'' as the filing type; or (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP18-13-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Summary of the Proposed Project Columbia has developed a multi-year, comprehensive modernization program to address its aging infrastructure. As part of its modernization program, Columbia proposes to abandon and replace about 14 miles of pipeline along Line 8000 and four laterals \1\ and abandon or modify associated minor aboveground facilities in Mineral County, West Virginia and Allegany County, Maryland. The Line 8000 Replacement Project would not increase capacity and would continue to serve the Maryland distribution markets. According to Columbia, by abandoning and replacing portions of the existing aging, bare steel pipeline, its project would increase system reliability, thereby greatly reducing the risk of interruptions to Columbia's customers. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ A lateral is a segment of a pipeline that branches off the main or transmission line to transport the product to a termination point, such as a tank farm or a metering station. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Line 8000 Replacement Project would consist of:Replacement of a total of approximately 13.25 miles of existing 12-inch-diameter bare steel pipeline, with approximately 13.54 miles of new, coated 12-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline in five sections and four modification points along Line 8000 and Lateral Line 8006; replacement of a total of approximately 0.55 miles of existing 4-inch-diameter bare steel pipeline, with approximately 0.78 miles of new coated 4-inch-diameter natural gas transmission pipeline along three laterals (Lateral Lines 8225, 8244, and 18012); installation of two new pig \2\ launcher and receiver sites and four new mainline valves associated with pipeline facilities; --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ A pig is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline, conducting internal inspections, or other purposes. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- modifications/abandonment of four existing mainline valves and three existing side tap valve sites and modification of tie-ins at two regulator stations; and abandonment of 13 active residential taps and 109 inactive taps. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov using the link called eLibrary or from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 288 acres of land for the pipelines and minor aboveground facilities. Following construction, Columbia would maintain about 71 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. Approximately 85 percent of the new Line 8000 pipeline would be co-located within the right-of- way of the existing Line 8000 pipeline (to be abandoned). Approximately 15 percent of the new Line 8000 pipeline would be located within a new right-of-way due to construction constraints that prevents co-location with the pipeline to be abandoned. The EA Process The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us \4\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. We will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EA. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ We, us, and our refer to the environmental staff of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under these general headings: Geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries, and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; air quality and noise; endangered and threatened species; public safety; and cumulative impacts We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the proposed project or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. The EA will present our independent analysis of the issues. The EA will be available in the public record through eLibrary. Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, we may also publish and distribute the EA to the public for an allotted comment period. We will consider all comments on the EA before making our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2. With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA.\5\ Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this notice. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1501.6. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices (SHPO), and to solicit their views and those of other government [[Page 60983]] agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential effects on historic properties.\6\ We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs as the project develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include construction right-of-way, contractor/ pipe storage yards, compressor stations, and access roads). Our EA for this project will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the project. We will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. If we publish and distribute the EA, copies will be sent to the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached Information Request (appendix 2). Becoming an Intervenor In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the Commission's proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the ``Document-less Intervention Guide'' under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's website. Motions to intervene are more fully described at http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. Additional Information Additional information about the project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the FERC website at 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., CP18- 13). 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. Finally, public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information. Dated: December 19, 2017. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2017-27729 Filed 12-22-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices 60981
Annual Average burden Total annual burden Cost per
Number of number of Total number hours hours & total
FERC–725F respondent
respondents responses per of responses & cost per response annual cost ($) (rounded)
respondent ($) (rounded) ($) (rounded)
(1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) *(5) ÷ (1)
New or Modifications 60 nuclear plants + 2 360 66.67 hrs.; $5,616 .... 24,001 hrs.; $11,231
to Existing Agree- 120 transmission $2,021,621.
ments (Reporting). entities 11.
New or Modifications 60 nuclear plants + 2 360 6.67 hrs.; $218 ......... 2,401 hrs.; $78,615 .. $437
to Existing Agree- 120 transmission
ments (Record entities.
Keeping).
Total ................... .................................. ........................ 12 360 .................................. 26,402 hrs.; 13 ........................
$2,100,236.
Comments: Comments are invited on: environmental assessment (EA) that will mailing list for this project. State and
(1) Whether the collection of discuss the environmental impacts of local government representatives should
information is necessary for the proper the Line 8000 Replacement Project notify their constituents of this
performance of the functions of the involving the abandonment, proposed project and encourage them to
Commission, including whether the construction, and operation of facilities comment on their areas of concern.
information will have practical utility; by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC If you are a landowner receiving this
(2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate (Columbia) in Mineral County, West notice, a pipeline company
of the burden and cost of the collection Virginia and Allegany County, representative may contact you about
of information, including the validity of Maryland. The Commission will use the acquisition of an easement to
the methodology and assumptions used; this EA in its decision-making process construct, operate, and maintain the
(3) ways to enhance the quality, utility to determine whether the project is in proposed facilities. The company would
and clarity of the information collection; the public convenience and necessity. seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of This notice announces the opening of agreement. However, if the Commission
the collection of information on those the scoping process the Commission approves the project, that approval
who are to respond, including the use will use to gather input from the public conveys with it the right of eminent
of automated collection techniques or and interested agencies on the project. domain. Therefore, if easement
other forms of information technology. You can make a difference by providing negotiations fail to produce an
Dated: December 19, 2017. us with your specific comments or agreement, the pipeline company could
Kimberly D. Bose, concerns about the project. Your initiate condemnation proceedings
comments should focus on the potential where compensation would be
Secretary.
environmental effects, reasonable determined in accordance with state
[FR Doc. 2017–27732 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am]
alternatives, and measures to avoid or law.
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
lessen environmental impacts. Your Columbia provided landowners with
input will help the Commission staff a fact sheet prepared by the FERC
determine what issues they need to entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
evaluate in the EA. To ensure that your Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
Federal Energy Regulatory comments are timely and properly To Know?’’ This fact sheet addresses a
Commission recorded, please send your comments so number of typically asked questions,
that the Commission receives them in including the use of eminent domain
[Docket No. CP18–13–000] Washington, DC on or before January 18, and how to participate in the
2018. Commission’s proceedings. It is also
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC;
If you sent comments on this project available for viewing on the FERC
Notice of Intent to Prepare an
to the Commission before the opening of website (www.ferc.gov).
Environmental Assessment for the
this docket on November 3, 2017, you
Proposed Line 8000 Replacement Public Participation
will need to file those comments in
Project and Request for Comments on
Docket No. CP18–13–000 to ensure they For your convenience, there are three
Environmental Issues
are considered as part of this methods you can use to submit your
The staff of the Federal Energy proceeding. comments to the Commission. The
Regulatory Commission (FERC or This notice is being sent to the Commission encourages electronic filing
Commission) will prepare an Commission’s current environmental of comments and has expert staff
indicates that wages are 69.6% and benefits are The estimated hourly cost (wages plus benefits) number of unique respondents will be reported to
30.4% of total salary (http://www.bls.gov/ for record keeping is $32.74/hour for a file clerk OMB.
news.release/ecec.nr0.htm).) (occupation code 43–4071). 12 The 180 respondents affected by the reporting
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
The estimated hourly cost (for wages plus 11 This figure of 120 transmission entities is based requirements are also affected by the recordkeeping
benefits) for reporting requirements is $84.23/hour, on the assumption that each agreement will be requirements.
13 The reporting requirements have not changed.
based on the average for an electrical engineer between 1 nuclear plant and 2 transmission entities
(occupation code 17–2071, $68.12/hour), legal (60 × 2 = 120). However, there is some double The decrease in the number of respondents is due
to: (a) Normal fluctuations in industry (e.g.,
(occupation code 23–0000, $143.68/hour), and counting in this figure because some transmission
companies merging and splitting, and coming into
office and administrative staff (occupation code 43– entities may be party to multiple agreements with and going out of business), and (b) no new
000, $40.89/hour). multiple nuclear plants. The double counting does agreements being issued due to the lack of new
not affect the burden estimate, and the correct nuclear plants being developed.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:21 Dec 22, 2017 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26DEN1.SGM 26DEN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/82_FR_61227/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 246 / Tuesday, December 26, 2017 / Notices 60983
agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the proceeding by filing a request to Docket Nos.
the public on the project’s potential intervene. Instructions for becoming an
Franklin Energy Storage Three, QF17–583–003
effects on historic properties.6 We will intervenor are in the ‘‘Document-less LLC.
define the project-specific Area of Intervention Guide’’ under the ‘‘e-filing’’ Franklin Energy Storage Four, QF17–584–004
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation link on the Commission’s website. LLC.
with the SHPOs as the project develops. Motions to intervene are more fully
On natural gas facility projects, the APE described at http://www.ferc.gov/ Take notice that on December 14,
at a minimum encompasses all areas resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. 2017, pursuant to Rule 207 of the
subject to ground disturbance (examples Federal Energy Regulatory
include construction right-of-way, Additional Information Commission’s (Commission) Rules of
contractor/pipe storage yards, Additional information about the Practice and Procedure, 18 CFR 385.207,
compressor stations, and access roads). project is available from the Franklin Energy Storage One, LLC,
Our EA for this project will document Commission’s Office of External Affairs, Franklin Energy Storage Two, LLC,
our findings on the impacts on historic at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Franklin Energy Storage Three, LLC,
properties and summarize the status of website at www.ferc.gov using the and Franklin Energy Storage Four, LLC
consultations under section 106. eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, filed a petition for declaratory order
click on General Search and enter the finding that certain orders of the Idaho
Environmental Mailing List Public Utilities Commission are
docket number, excluding the last three
The environmental mailing list digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., inconsistent with the Public Utilities
includes federal, state, and local CP18–13). Be sure you have selected an Regulatory Policies act of 1978, all as
government representatives and appropriate date range. For assistance, more fully explained in the petition.
agencies; elected officials; Any person desiring to intervene or to
please contact FERC Online Support at
environmental and public interest protest in this proceeding must file in
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free
groups; Native American Tribes; other accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of
at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact
interested parties; and local libraries the Commission’s Rules of Practice and
(202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also
and newspapers. This list also includes Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
provides access to the texts of formal 385.214) on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern
all affected landowners (as defined in documents issued by the Commission,
the Commission’s regulations) who are time on the specified comment date.
such as orders, notices, and Protests will be considered by the
potential right-of-way grantors, whose rulemakings.
property may be used temporarily for Commission in determining the
In addition, the Commission offers a appropriate action to be taken, but will
project purposes, or who own homes
free service called eSubscription which not serve to make protestants parties to
within certain distances of aboveground
allows you to keep track of all formal the proceeding. Any person wishing to
facilities, and anyone who submits
issuances and submittals in specific become a party must file a notice of
comments on the project. We will
dockets. This can reduce the amount of intervention or motion to intervene, as
update the environmental mailing list as
time you spend researching proceedings appropriate. Such notices, motions, or
the analysis proceeds to ensure that we
by automatically providing you with protests must be filed on or before the
send the information related to this
notification of these filings, document comment date. Anyone filing a motion
environmental review to all individuals,
summaries, and direct links to the to intervene or protest must serve a copy
organizations, and government entities
documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs- of that document on the Petitioner.
interested in and/or potentially affected
filing/esubscription.asp. The Commission encourages
by the proposed project.
If we publish and distribute the EA, Finally, public sessions or site visits electronic submission of protests and
copies will be sent to the environmental will be posted on the Commission’s interventions in lieu of paper, using the
mailing list for public review and calendar located at www.ferc.gov/ FERC Online links at http://
comment. If you would prefer to receive EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
a paper copy of the document instead of with other related information. service, persons with internet access
the CD version or would like to remove Dated: December 19, 2017.
who will eFile a document and/or be
your name from the mailing list, please listed as a contact for an intervenor
Kimberly D. Bose,
return the attached Information Request must create and validate an
Secretary. eRegistration account using the
(appendix 2). [FR Doc. 2017–27729 Filed 12–22–17; 8:45 am] eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
Becoming an Intervenor BILLING CODE 6717–01–P link to log on and submit the
In addition to involvement in the EA intervention or protests.
scoping process, you may want to Persons unable to file electronically
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY should submit an original and 5 copies
become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an
official party to the Commission’s of the intervention or protest to the
Federal Energy Regulatory
proceeding. Intervenors play a more Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
Commission
formal role in the process and are able 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC
to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be Notice of Petition for Declaratory Order 20426.
heard by the courts if they choose to The filings in the above proceeding
appeal the Commission’s final ruling. Docket Nos. are accessible in the Commission’s
An intervenor formally participates in eLibrary system by clicking on the
ethrower on DSK3G9T082PROD with NOTICES
Franklin Energy Storage One, EL18–50–000
LLC, Franklin Energy Storage
appropriate link in the above list. They
6 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Two, LLC, Franklin Energy are also available for review in the
regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Storage Three, LLC, Franklin Commission’s Public Reference Room in
Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define Energy Storage Four, LLC. Washington, DC. There is an
historic properties as any prehistoric or historic Franklin Energy Storage One, QF17–581–001
district, site, building, structure, or object included LLC.
eSubscription link on the website that
in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register Franklin Energy Storage Two, QF17–582–002 enables subscribers to receive email
of Historic Places. LLC. notification when a document is added
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Document Created: 2017-12-23 03:08:03
Document Modified: 2017-12-23 03:08:03
| 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 60981 |
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