Notice2022-16350
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Southside Reliability Enhancement Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
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Published
August 1, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 146 (Monday, August 1, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 146 (Monday, August 1, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46953-46955]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-16350]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-461-000]
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Southside
Reliability Enhancement 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 Southside Reliability
Enhancement Project (Project) involving construction and operation of
facilities by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) in
Virginia and North Carolina. 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 December 15, 2021, in Docket No.
PF22-1-000, the Commission opened a scoping period during Transco's
planning process for the Project and prior to filing a formal
application with the Commission, a process referred to as ``pre-
filing.'' Transco has now filed an application with the Commission, and
staff intends to prepare an EIS that will address the concerns raised
during the pre-filing scoping process and in response to 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. Eastern Time on August 24, 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.
As mentioned above, during the pre-filing process, the Commission
opened a scoping period which expired on January 14, 2022; however,
Commission staff continued to accept comments during the entire pre-
filing process. Staff also held one virtual scoping session to take
oral scoping comments. The session was held via teleconference on
January 5, 2022. All substantive written and oral comments provided
during pre-filing will be addressed in the EIS. Therefore, if you
submitted comments on this Project to the Commission during the pre-
filing process in Docket No. PF22-1-000 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 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#aceac9decfe3c2c0c5c2c9ffd9dcdcc3ded8eccac9decf82cbc3da"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3e5c6d1c0eccdcfcacdc6f0d6d3d3ccd1d7e3c5c6d1c08dc4ccd5">[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 also 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-
461-000) 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
Transco proposes to construct and operate one new compressor
station and modify two existing compressor stations and three existing
meter stations in North Carolina and Virginia. The Project would
provide 160,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of incremental firm
transportation capacity from Transco's
[[Page 46954]]
Compressor Station 165 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia and 263,400
Dth/d from the Pine Needle liquified natural gas storage facility to
delivery points in North Carolina. Transco's stated purpose of the
additional capacity is to reduce supply constraints when natural gas
demand is the highest, support overall reliability and diversification
of energy infrastructure in the mid-Atlantic, and benefit the public by
promoting competitive markets and increasing the security of natural
gas supplies to major delivery points serving the mid-Atlantic.
The Project would consist of the following facilities:
<bullet> installation of a new compressor station (Compressor
Station 168) which includes one new 33,000 horsepower electric motor-
driven compressor unit, and installation of new mainline valves on
South Virginia Lateral A-Line and B-Line at the new Compressor Station
168 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia;
<bullet> addition of one 16,000 horsepower electric motor-driven
compressor unit at existing Compressor Station 166 in Pittsylvania
County, Virginia;
<bullet> installation of piping modifications to allow for flow
reversal at existing Compressor Station 155 in Davidson County, North
Carolina;
<bullet> replacement of one meter run to increase delivery volumes
at the existing Ahoskie Meter Station in Hertford County, North
Carolina;
<bullet> installation of new facilities to increase delivery
volumes at the existing Pleasant Hill Meter Station in Northampton
County, North Carolina; and
<bullet> upgrade meter and controls and debottleneck piping at the
existing Iredell Meter Station in Iredell County, North Carolina.
The general location of the proposed Project facilities is shown in
appendix 1.\1\
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\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="32747760717d5c5e5b5c57614742425d404672545740511c555d44">[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 and modification of the proposed facilities would disturb
about 122 acres of land, which includes temporary construction
workspace, permanent aboveground facility areas, and permanent access
roads. Following construction, Transco would maintain about 119 acres
for permanent operation of the Project's facilities; the remaining 3
acres would be restored and revert to former uses.
Based on an initial review of Transco's proposal and public
comments received during the pre-filing process, Commission staff have
identified several expected impacts that will be addressed in the EIS.
The Project would impact agricultural, pasture, forest, open,
residential, and industrial land uses. Further, the EIS will describe
impacts on environmental justice communities, federally and state-
listed species, air quality, climate change, and connected actions/
cumulative impacts. The Project would not directly impact any wetlands
or waterbodies.
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;
<bullet> air quality and noise;
<bullet> climate change;
<bullet> cumulative impacts; 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
(<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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\2\ 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.\3\ Alternatives currently under consideration include:
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\3\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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<bullet> the no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented;
<bullet> existing and proposed natural gas pipeline system
alternatives; and
<bullet> alternative locations for new aboveground 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) 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 December 15, 2021, 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\ 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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\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.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
On June 7, 2022, 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
[[Page 46955]]
final EIS for the Project, which is based on an issuance of the draft
EIS in October 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--(February 24,
2023)
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \5\--(May 25, 2023)
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\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.
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Agency Permit
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FERC................................... Section 7 of the Natural Gas
Act.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service......... Section 7 of Endangered Species
Act Consultation.
State Historic Preservation Office..... Section 106 of National
Historic Preservation Act
Consultation.
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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#175076644765787d72746356737365726464547f76797072577172657439707861"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2e694f5d7e5c41444b4d5a6f4a4a5c4b5d5d6d464f40494b6e484b5c4d00494158">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP22-461-000 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 (i.e., CP22-461-000). Be sure you have
selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC
Online Support at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#41072433220e2f2d282f24123431312e333501272433226f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c2a091e0f2302000502093f191c1c031e182c0a091e0f420b031a">[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: July 25, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-16350 Filed 7-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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