Notice2022-01680
Gas Transmission Northwest LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for The Proposed GTN Xpress Project Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 28, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 19 (Friday, January 28, 2022)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4578-4581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01680]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-2-000]
Gas Transmission Northwest LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for The Proposed GTN Xpress 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 GTN XPress Project
(Project) involving the modification and operation of existing
compression facilities by Gas Transmission Northwest LLC (GTN) in
Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. 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.
This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the project. 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 from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and the EIS section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document, including
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.
[[Page 4579]]
Eastern Time on February 22, 2022. Further details on how to submit
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this
notice.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a GTN representative
may contact you about the acquisition of workspace needed to construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company would seek
to negotiate a mutually acceptable acquisition 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 acquisition agreement, the pipeline company could initiate
condemnation proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation
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.
GTN 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#2e684b5c4d61404247404b7d5b5e5e415c5a6e484b5c4d00494158"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="45032037260a2b292c2b20163035352a373105232037266b222a33">[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 (CP22-2-
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, Maryland 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
GTN proposes to modify and operate three existing compressor
stations in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The Project would increase
the capacity of GTN's existing natural gas transmission system by about
150,000 dekatherms per day between its Kingsgate Meter Station in Idaho
and its Malin Meter Station in Oregon. According to GTN, its Project
would increase its ability to meet growing market demand, benefiting
local communities, and providing operational flexibility. The Project
would consist of the following:
<bullet> Uprating, by means of a software upgrade only, three
existing Solar Turbine Titan 130 gas-fired, turbine compressors from
14,300 horsepower (HP) to 23,470 HP at the existing Athol Compressor
Station in Kootenai County, Idaho, at the existing Starbuck Compressor
Station in Walla Walla County, Washington; and at the existing Kent
Compressor Station in Sherman County, Oregon;
<bullet> Installing a new 23,470 HP Solar Turbine Titan 130 gas-
fired turbine compressor and associated piping, and 3 new gas cooling
bays and associated piping; at the Starbuck Compressor Station; and
<bullet> expanding the compressor station and installing 4 new gas
cooling bays and associated piping at the Kent Compressor Station.
The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 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="94d2d1c6d7dbfaf8fdfaf1c7e1e4e4fbe6e0d4f2f1e6f7baf3fbe2">[email protected]</a> or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the environmental information provided by GTN,
modifications to the existing compressor stations would require the
disturbance of about 46.9 acres of land. GTN would maintain about 1.2
acres of land for operation of the Project facilities; the remaining
acreage would be restored.
Based on an initial review of GTN's proposal, Commission staff has
identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS.
For example, the Project would generate additional air emissions that
could impact air quality and the Project would increase noise levels.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could
occur as a result of the modification 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;
<bullet> air quality and noise; and
<bullet> reliability and safety.
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. 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
\2\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/
[[Page 4580]]
natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you
will receive instant email notification when the environmental document
is issued.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.\3\ Alternatives that will be evaluated to determine if
they are feasible and meet the purpose and need for the Project include
the no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not implemented;
system alternatives; natural gas compression alternatives; pipeline
alternatives; and aboveground facility site layout alternatives.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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) 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 is using this notice to initiate
section 106 consultation for the Project with the applicable State
Historic Preservation Office(s), 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.\4\ The Project EIS will document findings on the impacts on
historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under
section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schedule for Environmental Review
On October 19, 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 June 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS: October 14, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline: \5\ January 12, 2023
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Table of Federal and Federally Delegated Permits
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Permit Agency
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certificate of Public Convenience and FERC.
Necessity.
Endangered Species Act Consultation.... U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Eagle Consultation.
National Historic Preservation Act..... ID, WA, OR Historic
Preservation Offices, and
Tribal Historic Preservation
Offices.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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#0a4d6b795a7865606f697e4b6e6e786f797949626b646d6f4a6c6f7869246d657c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="763117052604191c13150237121204130505351e17181113361013041558111900">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP22-2-000 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).
[[Page 4581]]
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.,
CP22-2-000). 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="b3f5d6c1d0fcdddfdaddd6e0c6c3c3dcc1c7f3d5d6c1d09dd4dcc5">[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: January 21, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-01680 Filed 1-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 28, 2022.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.