[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 22260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08687]
[[Page 22260]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP15-549-000]
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Schedule for
Environmental Review of the SM-80 MAOP Restoration Project
On September 2, 2015, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia)
filed an application in Docket No. CP15-549-000 requesting a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Sections
7(c) and 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon, construct, and operate
certain natural gas pipeline facilities in Wayne County, West Virginia.
The proposed project is known as the SM-80 MAOP Restoration Project
(Project) and would restore the maximum allowable operating pressure of
part of the SM-80 system.
On September 15, 2015, 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--5/18/16
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--8/16/16
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 in place about 3.3 miles of 30-inch-
diameter pipeline and associated aboveground appurtenances located on
its existing SM-80 natural gas transmission system located in Wayne
County, West Virginia. This section would be abandoned due to its age
and condition. Columbia would also construct about 3.9 miles of 30-
inch-diameter pipeline to replace the abandoned pipeline. The new
pipeline would be co-located with the existing SM-80 Loop \1\ and other
existing easements for 3.8 of the 3.9 miles.
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\1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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Background
On October 15, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed SM-80 MAOP
Restoration 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 two landowners. The primary issues raised by the
commentors are the potential for soil and water contamination, impacts
on wildlife, air, and noise, and cumulative impacts.
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 Web site (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.,
CP15-549), 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
Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued
by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
Dated: April 11, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-08687 Filed 4-14-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P