On September 4, 2026, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-576-000 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. The proposed project is known as the Leidy Access Expansion Project (Project) and would enable Transco to provide an incremental 183,100 dekatherms per day of year-round firm transportation capacity from the Marcellus Shale production area in northeastern Pennsylvania to a new transfer point east of Compressor Station 515 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.

On September 21, 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] The EA will be issued for a 30-day comment period.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA—March 26, 2027

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline ^[2] —June 24, 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

The Project will consist of the following components, all within Luzerne County, Pennsylvania:

• about 3.4 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline (Diamond Loop), all of which would be collocated with Transco's Leidy Loop Lines B and C;
• addition of pig launcher/receiver ^[3] and tie-in facilities at Transco's existing Compressor Station 515;
• a new mainline valve site that includes a tie-in and pig launcher/receiver at the terminus of the proposed Diamond Loop; and
• additional ancillary facilities, such as cathodic protection.

Background

On October 1, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Leidy Access Expansion 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. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission received comments from one landowner. The primary issues raised by the commenter include temporary construction effects (such as vegetation), adequate erosion control, property access, protection of future property use, and potential future changes. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA.

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., CP26-576), 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.)