Notice2022-21637
Trailblazer Pipeline Company, LLC; Express Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Trailblazer Conversion Project
Primary source
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Published
October 5, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 60390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21637]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-468-000]
Trailblazer Pipeline Company, LLC; Express Pipeline, LLC; Notice
of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the
Trailblazer Conversion Project
On May 27, 2022, Trailblazer Pipeline Company, LLC (TPC) and
Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC (REX) filed an application in Docket No.
CP22-468-000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity pursuant to Sections 7(b) and (c) of the Natural Gas Act to
construct, operate, and abandon certain natural gas pipeline
facilities. The proposed project is known as the Trailblazer Conversion
Project (Project) and would provide continuing service to TPC's
existing natural gas firm transportation customers using underutilized
jurisdictional capacity on REX pipeline facilities while making TPC's
pipeline facilities available, following their proposed abandonment, in
anticipation of future non-jurisdictional use to transport carbon
dioxide (CO<INF>2</INF>) for final sequestration. The Project would not
involve an increase in natural gas transportation capacity.
On June 9, 2022, 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 document for the Project.
This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
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\1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--March 31, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--June 29, 2023
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\2\ 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, additional notice will be
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the
Project's progress.
Project Description
TPC is proposing to abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities
and associated compressor stations. REX is proposing to provide
capacity on the existing REX Pipeline to TPC and construct, install,
own, operate, and maintain certain facilities necessary for TPC to
continue service to its existing customers. The Project would consist
of the abandonment in-place of 392 miles of 36-inch-diameter TPC
pipeline facilities and 3 TPC mainline compressor stations located in
Colorado and Nebraska; construction of a new 18.8-mile-long, 20-inch-
diameter lateral pipeline (REX Lateral to TPC Adams) located in
Franklin, Webster, and Adams counties, Nebraska; construction of a new
22.2-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter lateral (REX Lateral to TPC East)
located in Jefferson and Saline counties, Nebraska; construction of
five new interconnect booster stations at existing TPC pipeline
facilities in Nebraska and Colorado; and installation and modifications
of meter stations and station piping in Nebraska.
Background
On July 11, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed
Trailblazer Conversion Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of
Scoping 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 Notice of Scoping,
the Commission received multiple comments. Several were supportive of
the Project. Others requested that the EA discuss and provide
appropriate details regarding the Project description, purpose and
need, alternatives, and resource impacts. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) recommends FERC include the proposed capture,
transport, and sequestration of CO<INF>2</INF> as a connected action
under NEPA. Additionally, EPA recommends FERC coordinate closely with
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding regulatory changes
associated with wetland permits, address potential air emission impacts
under the general conformity rule, address potential spread of invasive
species, and address impacts on environmental justice communities. All
substantive comments will be addressed in the EA.
Additional Information
In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to
keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.
Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the
FERC website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>). 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.,
CP22-468), 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#367073647579585a5f585365434646594442765053445518515940"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ddbd8cfded2f3f1f4f3f8cee8ededf2efe9ddfbf8effeb3faf2eb">[email protected]</span></a>. The eLibrary link on the FERC
website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by
the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
Dated: September 29, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-21637 Filed 10-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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