On May 21, 2026, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC filed an application in Docket No. CP26-527-000 requesting Authorization pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the Majorsville-Heard Storage Complex Abandonment Project (Project) and would eliminate Columbia's need for continued operating and maintenance of facilities that are no longer required to meet Columbia's current firm service obligations.

On June 5, 2026, 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 document for the Project.

This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule for the completion of the environmental review.^[1]

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA—November 30, 2026

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline ^[2] —February 28, 2027

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

Columbia proposes to abandon the Heard Storage Field, the Majorsville Shallow Storage Field, and the Majorsville Deep Storage Field, including all associated facilities and base gas, located in Marshall County, West Virginia and Greene and Washington Counties, Pennsylvania. Specifically, Columbia proposes to abandon 57 injection/withdrawal wells, 14 observation wells, the Majorsville Compressor Station, and all associated pipelines and aboveground appurtenances.

Background

On June 30, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Majorsville-Heard Storage Complex Abandonment Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping 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. The Commission received no comments in response to the Notice of Scoping.

Additional Information

In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/​ferc-online/​overview to register for eSubscription.

For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office of Public Participation at (202)502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov.

Additional information about the Project is available from 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., CP26-527), 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 FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. 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.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)