Notice2022-23946
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Southeast Energy Connector Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
Primary source
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Published
November 3, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66284-66286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23946]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-501-000]
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Southeast
Energy Connector 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 Southeast Energy
Connector Project (Project) involving construction and operation of
natural gas facilities by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC
(Transco). Transco plans to modify an existing compressor station and
construct 1.8 miles of pipeline in Coosa and Chilton Counties, Alabama
to provide 150,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation
service to an existing electric power generator in Shelby County,
Alabama. 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 May 19, 2022 in Docket No. PF22-
6-000 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 comments received in response to 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 November
28, 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 June 20, 2022; however,
Commission staff continued to accept comments during the entire pre-
filing process. All substantive written 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. PF22-6-000 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 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
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assist you at (866) 208-3676 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d791b2a5b498b9bbbeb9b284a2a7a7b8a5a397b1b2a5b4f9b0b8a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="33755641507c5d5f5a5d56604643435c414773555641501d545c45">[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-
501-000) 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 plans to install a new compressor unit and modify
compressor units at existing Compressor Station 105 located in Coosa
County, Alabama and construct 1.83 mile 42-inch-diameter Chilton Loop
pipeline in Coosa and Chilton Counties, Alabama. According to Transco,
its Project would enable it to provide an incremental 150,000
dekatherms per day of year-round firm transportation capacity from
existing supply points in Mississippi and Alabama to the existing
Gaston delivery meter station located adjacent to the existing
Compressor Station 105 in Coosa County, Alabama. The purpose of the
proposed project is to provide natural gas to the Gaston Steam Plant
for the conversion of existing 895-megawatt (MW) Unit 5 to natural gas.
The Gaston Steam Plant is a 2,015-MW capacity power station in Shelby
County, near Wilsonville, Alabama, currently powering its Unit 5 on
coal.
The Project would consist of the following facilities:
<bullet> installation of a 11,110 horsepower Solar Taurus 70 gas-
fired turbine in a new building with associated appurtenant facilities
at Compressor Station 105 in Coosa County, Alabama;
<bullet> modification of compressor units 1-3 at Compressor Station
105;
<bullet> construction of 1.83 miles of new 42-inch-diameter `E'
mainline loop \1\ pipeline from Mileposts (MP) 909.63 to 911.46 in
Chilton and Coosa Counties, Alabama; and
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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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<bullet> remove the existing pigging \2\ traps at MPs 909.63 and
911.43 on the existing `E' mainline and tie-in the planned 42-inch-
diameter Chilton Loop.
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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. For
assistance, contact FERC at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3b5b6a1b0bc9d9f9a9d96a08683839c8187b395968190dd949c85">[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, the
Project would disturb about 129 acres of land, which includes temporary
construction workspace, permanent easement, and temporary access roads.
Following construction, Transco would maintain 13 acres for operation
of the Project's facilities and the remaining acreage would be restored
and returned to pre-construction land use. Approximately 73 percent of
the proposed pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or
road rights-of-way.
Based on an initial review of Transco's proposal, Commission staff
have identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the
EIS. The Project would impact 50 acres of upland forest, five small
waterbodies, and potentially the Coosa River.
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> environmental justice;
<bullet> greenhouse gas and climate;
<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
\4\ 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\ 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.\5\ Alternatives currently under consideration include:
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\5\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z)
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<bullet> no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented;
<bullet> the Chilton Loop Alternative 2 pipeline route deviation
reducing the Project length by 0.06 miles;
<bullet> the Chilton Loop Alternative pipeline route deviation
increasing sideslope construction by 0.20 acres; and
<bullet> Autauga Loop Major Route Alternative increasing Project
length by 2.36 miles and eliminating steep terrain.
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
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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 is using this notice to initiate
consultation 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.\6\ 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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\6\ 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 August 30, 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 final EIS
for the Project, which is based on an issuance of the draft EIS in
March 2023.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--August 4, 2023.
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \7\--November 2, 2023.
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\7\ 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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Permit or authorization Agency
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Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Discharges to Waters of the United
States/Section 10 River and Harbor Act.
CWA Section 402 Stormwater and Alabama Department of
Construction Dewatering Permits. Environmental Management.
Section 106 Consultation............... Alabama Historical Commission.
Endangered Species Act Section 7 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Consultation.
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Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; local
community groups, schools, churches, and businesses; 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#561137250624393c33352217323224332525153e37383133163033243578313920"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="581f392b082a37323d3b2c193c3c2a3d2b2b1b3039363f3d183e3d2a3b763f372e">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP22-501-000 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.,
CP22-501). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#dc9ab9aebf93b2b0b5b2b98fa9acacb3aea89cbab9aebff2bbb3aa"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="51173423321e3f3d383f34022421213e232511373423327f363e27">[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 28, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-23946 Filed 11-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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