83 FR 64123 - Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Palmyra to Ogden A-Line Project; Northern Natural Gas Company

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 239 (December 13, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 239 (Thursday, December 13, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64123-64124]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-26948]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP19-1-000]


Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Palmyra to 
Ogden A-Line Project; Northern Natural Gas Company

    On October 3, 2018, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed 
an application in Docket No. CP19-1-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to section 7(b) of the 
Natural Gas Act to abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The 
proposed project is known as the Palmyra to Ogden A-Line Project 
(Project), and would allow Northern to abandon approximately 146.6 
miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline to provide for safer long-term 
operation of the mainline.
    On October 17, 2018, 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 May 13, 2019
    90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline August 11, 2019
    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

    Northern proposes to isolate and abandon by sale to DKM 
Enterprises, LLC (DKM) approximately 146.6 miles of 24-inch-diameter 
pipeline on Northern's M580A and M530A system (collectively referred to 
as the A-line) in Otoe and Cass counties in Nebraska, and Mills, 
Pottawattamie, Cass, Audubon, Guthrie, Greene, and Boone counties in 
Iowa. Northern indicates that DKM intends to salvage the abandoned 
pipeline.
    To abandon the pipeline, Northern would disconnect and cap the A-
line at five interconnections where it is linked to other system 
facilities. Ground disturbances would be limited to one location in 
Otoe County, Nebraska, and four locations in Mills, Guthrie, and Boone 
(two locations) counties, Iowa, where the A-line would be disconnected 
from Northern's existing pipeline system.

Background

    On November 14, 2018 the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Palmyra to Ogden 
A-Line Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). 
The NOI was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local 
government agencies; elected officials; Native American tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. Comments on the 
NOI should be received by the Commission in Washington, DC on or

[[Page 64124]]

before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 14, 2018. All substantive 
comments filed in the Commission's public record will be addressed in 
the EA.

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., CP19-1), 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: December 7, 2018.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-26948 Filed 12-12-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P