[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 77619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31467]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP15-520-000]
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C; Notice of Schedule for
Environmental Review of the Triad Expansion Project
On June 19, 2015, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
(Tennessee) filed an application in Docket No. CP15-520-000 requesting
authorization 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 Triad Expansion Project (Project), and
would deliver an additional 180,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas
to meet the needs of a new natural gas-fired power plant to be
constructed in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
On July 6, 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 April 6, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline July 5, 2016
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
Tennessee would construct about 7.0 miles of new 36-inch-diameter
looping \1\ pipeline adjacent to its existing 300 Line system in
Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania; a new internal pipeline inspection
(pig) \2\ launcher, crossover, and connecting facilities at the
beginning of the proposed pipeline loop; and a new pig receiver, a new
odorant facility, and ancillary piping at the existing Compressor
Station 321 in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
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\1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
\2\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline,
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
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Background
On August 5, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Triad 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 United States Army Corps of Engineers; Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; the Stockbridge-
Munsee Tribal Historic Preservation Office; the Allegheny Defense
Project; and one individual. The primary issues raised during scoping
relate to impacts on soils, wetlands, waterbodies, vegetation, and
wildlife; recreation and impacts on cultural resources; reliability and
safety concerns; and review of project alternatives.
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., CP15-520), 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: December 9, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-31467 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P