Notice2021-23485
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Regional Energy Access Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
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Published
October 28, 2021
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 206 (Thursday, October 28, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 206 (Thursday, October 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59707-59710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23485]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP21-94-000]
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Regional
Energy Access Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental
Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss the environmental impacts of the Regional Energy Access
Expansion Project (Project) involving construction and operation of
facilities by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) in
Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Wyoming, and
York Counties, Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester,
Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, and Warren Counties, New Jersey; and
Baltimore County, Maryland. The Commission will use this EIS in its
decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the
public convenience and necessity. The schedule for preparation of the
EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental Review section of
this notice.
As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review
process, the Commission takes into account concerns the public may have
about proposals and the environmental impacts that could result
whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred
to as ``scoping.'' By notice issued on July 24, 2020, in Docket No.
PF20-3-000, the Commission opened a scoping period during Transco's
pre-filing process; and staff intends to prepare an EIS that will
address the concerns raised during that scoping period as well as
comments received in response to this notice. Therefore, the Commission
requests comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and any
relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning
impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. To ensure that
your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your
comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 19, 2021. Further details on
how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section
of this notice.
As mentioned above, the Commission previously opened a scoping
period which expired on August 24, 2020. All substantive written and
oral comments provided during scoping will be addressed in the EIS.
Therefore, if you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission
during the previous scoping process, you do not need to file those
comments again.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the Project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent
domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach
an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation
[[Page 59708]]
would be determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The
Commission does not grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of eminent
domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent
domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters.
Transco provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I
Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including
the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's
proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of
interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>)
under the Natural Gas Questions or Landowner Topics link.
Public Participation
There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and
has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a1e7c4d3c2eecfcdc8cfc4f2d4d1d1ced3d5e1c7c4d3c28fc6ced7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="662003140529080a0f080335131616091412260003140548010910">[email protected]</span></a>. Please carefully follow these instructions
so that your comments are properly recorded.
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>)
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking
on ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you
are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment
on a Filing''; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP21-
94-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC
20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
Additionally, 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 <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview">https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview</a> to register
for eSubscription.
Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and
Expected Impacts
Transco plans to construct and operate approximately 36.1 miles of
pipeline loop \1\ and one new compressor station, as well as modify
existing compressor stations and facilities in Pennsylvania and New
Jersey. The Project would provide about 829 million standard cubic feet
of natural gas per day to multiple delivery points along Transco's
existing system in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. According to
Transco, its Project would provide its customers with enhanced access
to Marcellus and Utica Shale natural gas supplies.
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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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The Project would consist of the following facilities:
<bullet> Installation of 22.3 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline
loop in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (Regional Energy Lateral);
<bullet> installation of 13.8 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline
loop in Monroe County, Pennsylvania (Effort Loop);
<bullet> installation of the new electric-motor driven Compressor
Station 201 (9,000 horsepower [hp]) in Gloucester County, New Jersey);
<bullet> installation of two gas turbine driven compressor units
(31,800 hp) at existing Compressor Station 505 in Somerset County, New
Jersey to accommodate the replacement of 16,000 hp from eight existing
compressors and increase the certificated station compression by 15,800
hp;
<bullet> installation of two gas turbine compressor units (63,742
hp) and modifications to three existing compressors at existing
Compressor Station 515 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania to accommodate
the replacement of 17,000 hp from five existing compressors and
increase the certificated station compression by 46,742 hp;
<bullet> modifications at existing compressor stations, meter
stations, interconnects, and ancillary facilities in Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, and Maryland; and
<bullet> installation of ancillary facilities such as mainline
valves, communication facilities, and pig \2\ launchers and receivers.
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\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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The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\3\
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\3\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a> using the link called ``eLibrary.'' For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact
FERC at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="64222136272b0a080d0a01371114140b161024020116074a030b12">[email protected]</a> or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Based on the environmental information provided by Transco,
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 807.7 acres
of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Following
construction, Transco would maintain about 231.2 acres for operation of
the Project facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and
revert to former uses.
Based on an initial review of Transco's proposal and public
comments, Commission staff have identified several expected impacts
that deserve attention in the EIS. The Project would impact 83
waterbodies, 17.4 acres of wetland, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could
occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed
Project under the relevant general resource areas:
<bullet> Geology and soils;
<bullet> water resources and wetlands;
<bullet> vegetation and wildlife;
<bullet> threatened and endangered species;
<bullet> cultural resources;
<bullet> land use and visual impacts;
<bullet> socioeconomics and environmental justice;
<bullet> air quality and noise;
<bullet> reliability and safety; and
<bullet> cumulative impacts.
Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help
Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a
significant effect on the human environment.
The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the
issues. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore and Philadelphia
Districts and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are cooperating
[[Page 59709]]
agencies in the preparation of the EIS.\4\ Staff will prepare a draft
EIS which will be issued for public comment. Commission staff will
consider all timely comments received during the comment period on the
draft EIS and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final
EIS. Any draft and final EIS will be available in electronic format in
the public record through eLibrary \5\ and the Commission's natural gas
environmental documents web page (<a href="https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents">https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents</a>). If eSubscribed, you
will receive instant email notification when the environmental document
is issued.
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\4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), Section 1501.8. (2021).
\5\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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Alternatives Under Consideration
The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically
and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the
proposed action.\6\ Alternatives currently under consideration include:
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\6\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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<bullet> The no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented;
<bullet> use of other existing and proposed pipeline systems; and
<bullet> alternative locations to construct the Project facilities.
With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action
or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on
reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites and
pipeline routes) that meet the Project objectives, are technically and
economically feasible, and avoid or lessen environmental impact.
Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act
In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission initiated section 106 consultation for
the Project in the notice issued on July 24, 2020, with the applicable
State Historic Preservation Offices, and other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their views and
concerns regarding the Project's potential effects on historic
properties.\7\ This notice is a continuation of section 106
consultation for the Project. The Project EIS will document findings on
the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
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\7\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
On April 9, 2021, the Commission issued its Notice of Application
for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies
issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all
necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a
federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the
Commission staff's final EIS for the Project. This notice identifies
the Commission staff's planned schedule for completion of the final EIS
for the Project, which is based on an issuance of the draft EIS in
February of 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--July 29, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--October 27, 2022
If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are
kept informed of the Project's progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations
for the Project required under federal law. This list may not be all-
inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it is
not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special
expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's
EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related
to this Project. Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency
status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided
under the Public Participation section of this notice.
Environmental Permits, Approvals, and Consultations
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Permit, approval, or
Permitting/approval agency consultation
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Federal
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission... Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers........... Department of the Army permit
under section 404 of the Clean
Water Act (CWA).
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service........... Endangered Species Act, section
7 Consultation.
Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act Consultation.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
Consultation.
Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act Consultation.
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Interstate Agencies
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Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Susquehanna River Basin
Water Withdrawal Permit Consumptive Commission.
Use Authorization.
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Pennsylvania State Agencies
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Pennsylvania Department of CWA 401 Water Quality
Environmental Protection (PADEP), Certification.
Regional Bureaus of Waterways Chapter 105 Water Obstruction
Engineering and Wetlands. and Encroachment Permit--
Pennsylvania Programmatic
General Permit (PASGP-5).
Chapter 102 Erosion and
Sediment Control Plan Review
and Permit (ESCGP-3) for
Construction Activities.
[[Page 59710]]
PADEP Bureau of Clean Water............ CWA section 402 National
Pollution Discharge
Elimination System--Individual
Permit for Hydrostatic Test
Water Discharge Permit/
Approval.
PADEP Bureau of Air Quality............ Air Quality Plan Approval
(Minor Modification).
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.. Consultation (rare aquatic and
amphibian species).
Aid to Navigation Plans (if
required).
Stream Blasting Permit (if
required).
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation Consultation (rare plant
and Natural Resources. species).
Pennsylvania Game Commission........... Consultation (rare mammalian
and avian species).
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Section 106, National Historic
Commission, State Historic Preservation Act Consultation.
Preservation Office.
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New Jersey State Agencies
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New Jersey Department of Environmental Freshwater Wetlands Letter of
Protection (NJDEP), Division of Land Interpretation.
Resource Protection. Flood Hazard Area Verification
Applicability.
Flood Hazard Area Applicability
Determination for certain
Flood Hazard Area Permits by
Rule.
NJDEP Division of Water Quality, Bureau General Permit for Construction
of Nonpoint Pollution Control. Activity, Storm Water (5G3).
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, Consultation for rare,
Endangered and Nongame Species Program. threatened, and endangered
species.
NJDEP Division of Parks and Forestry Consultation for rare,
Natural Heritage Program. threatened, and endangered
species.
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife, Consultation for state
Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries. freshwater fish habitat.
NJDEP Historic Preservation Office..... Section 106, National Historic
Preservation Act Consultation.
NJDEP Division of Water Quality, Bureau Short-term De Minimis Discharge
of Surface Water Permitting. Permit (B7).
NJDEP Division of Water Supply and Short Term Water Use Permit-by-
Geoscience, Bureau of Water Allocation Rule (BWA-003)/Short Term
and Well Permitting. Water Use Report (BWA-004).
Short-Term Water Use Permit-by-
rule (BWA-003)--for
hydrostatic testing
activities.
NJDEP Division of Air Quality--Bureau Preconstruction Permit to
of Stationary Sources. Construct and Operate (Minor
Source).
Modification to Existing Title
V Operating Permit.
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Maryland Agencies
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Maryland Department of Natural Consultation for rare,
Resources. threatened, and endangered
species.
Maryland Department of Planning, Section 106, National Historic
Maryland Historical Trust. Preservation Act Consultation.
Baltimore County....................... Grading Permit/Soil Erosion
Control Plan Approval.
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Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the Project, which includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for Project purposes, or who own homes within
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits
comments on the Project and includes a mailing address with their
comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to
this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations,
and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by
the proposed Project. State and local government representatives should
notify their constituents of this proposed Project and encourage them
to comment on their areas of concern.
If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
(1) Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0e7c1d3f0d2cfcac5c3d4e1c4c4d2c5d3d3e3c8c1cec7c5e0c6c5d2c38ec7cfd6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d0a2c3e1d3f2227282e390c29293f283e3e0e252c232a280d2b283f2e632a223b">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP21-94-000 in your
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to
accept comments.
Or
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).
Additional Information
Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website at <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a> using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number
in the ``Docket Number'' field, excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP21-94). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#93d5f6e1f0dcfdfffafdf6c0e6e3e3fce1e7d3f5f6e1f0bdf4fce5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91d7f4e3f2defffdf8fff4c2e4e1e1fee3e5d1f7f4e3f2bff6fee7">[email protected]</span></a> or (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202)
502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all
formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and
rulemakings.
Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events">https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events</a> along with
other related information.
Dated: October 19, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-23485 Filed 10-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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