83 FR 20806 - Sierrita Gas Pipeline LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Sierrita Compressor Expansion Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 89 (May 8, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 89 (Tuesday, May 8, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20806-20807]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-09718]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP18-37-000 and CP18-38-000]


Sierrita Gas Pipeline LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental 
Review of the Sierrita Compressor Expansion Project

    On December 21, 2017, Sierrita Gas Pipeline LLC (Sierrita) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP18-37-000 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. Additionally, in Docket No. CP18-38-000, Sierrita is 
requesting an amendment to its Section 3 authorization and its 
Presidential Permit. The proposed project is known as the Sierrita 
Compressor Expansion Project (Project), in which Sierrita would 
increase the design capacity of existing Line No. 2177 to 627,000,000 
cubic feet per day at its border crossing into Mexico in Pima County, 
Arizona.
    On January 5, 2018, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Applications 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--June 13, 2018
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--September 11, 2018

    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

    Sierrita proposes to construct in Pima County, Arizona one 15,900 
horsepower compressor station, suction and discharge piping, and 
ancillary facilities on its existing Line No. 2177; one 10-

[[Page 20807]]

inch meter at its existing San Joaquin Meter Station; as well as 
relocate an existing mainline valve and pipeline inspection tool.

Background

    On February 2, 2018, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Sierrita 
Compressor 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 comments from Pima County (Office of 
Sustainability & Conservation, the Regional Flood Control District, the 
Development Services Department, and the Regional Wastewater 
Reclamation Department); the Altar Valley Conservation Alliance; and 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The primary issues raised by 
the commentors regarded purpose and need, alternatives, pipeline 
safety, water resources, air quality, biological resources and invasive 
species, hazardous materials, cultural resources, cumulative impacts, 
restoration and post-construction monitoring, outdoor lighting, and 
impacts on existing utility lines.

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 website (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., CP18-37), 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 website also 
provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: May 1, 2018.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-09718 Filed 5-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P