Notice2023-19403
Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of An Environmental Assessment for the Swarts And Hunters Cave Well Replacement Project
Primary source
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Published
September 8, 2023
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 173 (Friday, September 8, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 173 (Friday, September 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62075-62076]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19403]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP23-507-000]
Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of An
Environmental Assessment for the Swarts And Hunters Cave Well
Replacement Project
On June 30, 2023, Equitrans, L.P. (Equitrans) filed an application
in Docket No. CP23-507-000 requesting a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity pursuant to section 7(c) and Authorization
pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, operate,
and abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities in Greene County,
Pennsylvania. The proposed project is known as the Swarts and Hunters
Cave Well Replacement Project (Project) and would: abandon a series of
wells by sale, abandon well lines in place and any associated
appurtenant facilities; construct and operate two horizontal storage
wells; acquire pipelines and related equipment to serve as well lines
and auxiliary facilities for the Swarts Horizontal Storage Well; and
sell base gas from the Swarts Complex.
On July 18, 2023, 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 December 8, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ March 7, 2024
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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
Equitrans proposes to abandon, construct, and operate certain
facilities within the Swarts Complex and Hunters Cave Storage Fields in
Greene County, Pennsylvania. According to Equitrans, the Swarts and
Hunters Cave Well Replacement Project is necessary because of planned
mining activity from CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC (CONSOL).
According to Pennsylvania state law, any active storage well within
2,000 feet of mining activities would need to be plugged or upgraded to
current mining standards. The Swarts and Hunters Cave Well Replacement
Project would consist of the following:
<bullet> abandonment by-sale of a series of 19 injection/withdrawal
wells at Equitrans' Hunters Cave Storage Field, abandonment in-place of
the associated well pipelines and any associated facilities;
<bullet> construction and operation of a new horizontal well,
associated pipelines, and ancillary facilities at the Hunters Cave
Storage Field;
<bullet> construction and operation of a new horizontal well,
associated pipelines, and ancillary facilities at the Swarts Complex;
<bullet> expansions of the existing Morris Interconnect and Pierce
Gates Valve Yards at the Hunters Cave Storage Field;
<bullet> acquisition of non-jurisdictional gathering assets from
EQM Gathering Opco, LLC (pipelines and related equipment) for operation
of the new Swarts Horizontal Storage Well; and
<bullet> the sale of 580 million cubic feet of base gas from the
Swarts Complex.
Background
On August 2, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Swarts and
Hunters Cave Well Replacement 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 one comment from the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region III. The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, Region III provided general guidance and recommendations for
consideration in the development of the NEPA document. The Commission
also received a comment from the Delaware Nation requesting further
information on project specifics, cultural resources, and the Section
106 process. All substantive comments received 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.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners,
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86c9d6d6c6e0e3f4e5a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eaa5babaaa8c8f9889c48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>.
[[Page 62076]]
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.,
CP23-507), 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#b4f2f1e6f7fbdad8dddad1e7c1c4c4dbc6c0f4d2d1c6d79ad3dbc2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="88cecddacbc7e6e4e1e6eddbfdf8f8e7fafcc8eeedfaeba6efe7fe">[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 1, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-19403 Filed 9-7-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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