[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 47503]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22000]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP17-80-000]
Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Eastern
Panhandle Expansion Project; Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC
On March 15, 2017, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) filed
an application in Docket No. CP17-80-000 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 Eastern Panhandle
Expansion Project (Project), and would involve construction and
operation of approximately 3.4 miles of 8-inch-diameter pipeline in
Fulton County, Pennsylvania; Washington County, Maryland: and Morgan
County, West Virginia.
On April 25, 2017, 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--January 26, 2018
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--April 26, 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
Columbia proposes to construct, operate, and maintain the Project
in three counties and states (Fulton County, Pennsylvania; Washington
County, Maryland; and Morgan County, West Virginia). The Project would
provide an additional 47.5 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of capacity for
firm transportation service to markets in West Virginia through
Mountaineer Gas Company's (Mountaineer) gathering system. The Project
will involve the construction and operation of approximately 3.4 miles
of new greenfield 8-inch-diameter pipeline, three main line valves, and
two new tie-in assemblies.
Background
On April 25, 2017, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Eastern Panhandle
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: the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S.
Department of Interior, National Park Service, Potomac Riverkeeper
Network, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, Waterkeepers Chesapeake, Allegheny
Defense Project, West Virginia Rivers, 1,761 signatories from the
Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and 115 concerned citizens from the
region. The primary issues raised by the commentors are: Potential
impacts on the Potomac River, karst features, groundwater quality,
safety, climate change, and the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National
Historical Park.
The U.S. Department of Interior, National Park Service and the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency are cooperating agencies in the
preparation of 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 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., CP17-080), 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: October 5, 2017.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-22000 Filed 10-11-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P