Notice2022-11439
Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project
Primary source
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Published
May 27, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 103 (Friday, May 27, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32156-32158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11439]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-44-000]
Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on
Environmental Issues for the Proposed Ohio Valley Connector Expansion
Project
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document, that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the Ohio Valley Connector Expansion
Project (Project) involving construction and operation of facilities
proposed by Equitrans L.P. (Equitrans) in Greene County, Pennsylvania;
Wetzel County, West Virginia; and Monroe County, Ohio. The Commission
will use this environmental document in its decision-making process to
determine whether the Project is in the public convenience and
necessity.
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 Environmental Document section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 June 22, 2022. Comments may be
submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments
are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission
staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the
environmental document.
If you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on January 28, 2022, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. CP22-44-000 to ensure they are considered
as part of this proceeding.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this 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 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 would be
determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The Commission does
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these
matters.
Equitrans 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#b9ffdccbdaf6d7d5d0d7dceaccc9c9d6cbcdf9dfdccbda97ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8ae8d9a8ba7868481868dbb9d9898879a9ca88e8d9a8bc68f879e">[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-
44-000) 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
[[Page 32157]]
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.
Project Purpose and Need and Summary of Proposed Project
According to Equitrans, this Project would expand Equitrans'
existing Ohio Valley Connector assets to deliver approximately 350,000
dekatherms per day of incremental firm natural gas to the expanding
mid-continent and Gulf Coast markets along the Rockies Express and
Rover pipeline systems.
Equitrans proposes to acquire and operate the existing non-
jurisdictional Cygrymus Compressor Station--located in Greene County,
Pennsylvania--and install two new turbines. In addition, Equitrans
would install one additional compressor unit each at the existing
Corona Compressor Station in Wetzel County, West Virginia and at the
existing Plasma Compressor Station in Monroe County, Ohio. Equitrans
would also construct approximately 5.5 miles of pipeline and ancillary
facilities in different locations related to the compressor stations.
Specifically, the Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project would
consist of the following facilities:
Greene County, Pennsylvania
<bullet> addition of two Taurus 70 turbines at the existing
Cygrymus Compressor Station;
<bullet> approximately 0.5 mile of 16-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline (H-327);
<bullet> approximately 0.5 mile of 12-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline (H-328);
<bullet> a deep anode groundbed and rectifier; and
<bullet> ancillary facilities, such as a valve yard, taps, and
internal inspection device (e.g., pig \1\) launchers and receivers.
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\1\ 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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Wetzel County, West Virginia
<bullet> addition of one Mars 100 compressor at the existing Corona
Compressor Station;
<bullet> approximately 3.7 miles of new 24-inch-diameter natural
gas pipeline (H-326);
<bullet> approximately 129 feet of new 8-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline (H-329);
<bullet> approximately 0.7 mile of new 16-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline (H-330);
<bullet> approximately 0.09 mile of new 16-inch-diameter natural
gas pipeline (H-330 Spur);
<bullet> approximately 160 feet of new 12-inch-diameter natural gas
pipeline; and
<bullet> ancillary facilities, such as mainline valves, valve
yards, measuring equipment, and internal inspection device (e.g., pig
launchers and receivers).
Monroe County, Ohio
<bullet> addition of one Titan 130 compressor at the existing
Plasma Compressor Station.
The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\2\
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\2\ 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="34727166777b5a585d5a51674144445b464074525146571a535b42">[email protected]</a> or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Land Requirements for Construction
Based on the environmental information provided by Equitrans,
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 117 acres
of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipelines. Following
construction, Equitrans would maintain about 32 acres for operation of
the Project facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and
revert to former uses. The proposed H-326, H-330, and H-330 spur
pipelines would be collocated with existing pipelines for approximately
58.8 percent, 76.8 percent, and 88.9 percent of the proposed
alignments, respectively; and the H-327 and H-328 pipelines are
parallel and would be located within a shared pipeline construction
right-of-way.
The NEPA Process and the Environmental Document
Any environmental document 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, climate change, and noise; and
<bullet> reliability and safety.
Based on an initial review of Equitrans' proposal, supplement, and
public comments received during Equitrans' open houses, Commission
staff have identified several potential/expected impacts that deserve
attention in the environmental document. Construction of the Project
would potentially impact 13 waterbodies and about 0.4 acre of wetland,
as well as affect noise, traffic, and road conditions. Construction and
operation could impact/interfere with existing mining operations and
have potential for an increased risk of landslides. Operation of the
Project would also result in emissions estimated at 6.77 million metric
tonnes per year of carbon dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) from the end use of
the natural gas.
Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
proposed Project or portions of the Project and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine
whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission
staff's independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff
prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an
Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed
Project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued. Staff will then
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 EA or draft and final EIS will be available in
electronic format in the public record through eLibrary \3\ and the
[[Page 32158]]
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 an instant email
notification when the environmental document is issued.
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\3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues of this Project to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the environmental document.\4\ 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.
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\4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, section 1501.8.
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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
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s),
other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public to
solicit their views and concerns regarding the Project's potential
effects on historic properties.\5\ The environmental document for this
Project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties
and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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\5\ 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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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, as well as 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.
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#e2a58391b2908d88878196a3868690879191a18a838c8587a284879081cc858d94"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="df98beac8fadb0b5babcab9ebbbbadbaacac9cb7beb1b8ba9fb9baadbcf1b8b0a9">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP22-44-000 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.,
CP22-44). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#42042730210d2c2e2b2c27113732322d303602242730216c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ed8fbecfdd1f0f2f7f0fbcdebeeeef1eceadef8fbecfdb0f9f1e8">[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: May 23, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-11439 Filed 5-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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