Notice2023-26243
Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Public Scoping Session for the Proposed Worcester Resiliency Upgrade Project
Primary source
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Published
November 29, 2023
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 228 (Wednesday, November 29, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 228 (Wednesday, November 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83403-83405]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26243]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP23-536-000]
Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Public Scoping
Session for the Proposed Worcester Resiliency Upgrade Project
On October 11, 2023, the staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC or Commission) issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments On Environmental Issues for the Worcester
Resiliency Upgrade Project. With that notice, the Commission requested
public comments on the scope of issues to address in the environmental
document that the FERC staff will prepare to discuss the environmental
impacts of the Worcester Resiliency Upgrade (Project). The Project
involves construction and operation of facilities by Eastern Shore
Natural Gas Company (Eastern Shore) in Worcester, Wicomico, and
Somerset Counties, Maryland and Sussex County, Delaware (appendix 1).
The Commission will use this environmental document in its decision-
making process to determine whether the Project is in the public
convenience and necessity.
The October 11, 2023 notice announced the opening of the scoping
process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and
interested agencies regarding the Project. This notice announces the
scoping session dates, locations, and times (see Public Participation
section of this notice). As part of the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission considers 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.
This notice was sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this Project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this planned
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 planned 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.
A fact sheet prepared by FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas
Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' addresses typically
asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to
participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact
[[Page 83404]]
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 links to Natural
Gas Questions or Landowner Topics.
Public Participation
There are four methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. 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#adebc8dfcee2c3c1c4c3c8fed8ddddc2dfd9edcbc8dfce83cac2db"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7f1d2c5d4f8d9dbded9d2e4c2c7c7d8c5c3f7d1d2c5d499d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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''.
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the Project docket number (CP23-
536-000) 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.
(4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you
to attend the public scoping session its staff will conduct in the
project area, scheduled as follows:
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Date and time Location
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Wednesday, December 13, 2023, 5:00 to 7:00 Bishopville Volunteer Fire
p.m. EDT. Department, 10709
Bishopville Road,
Bishopville, MD 21813,
(410) 352-5778.
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The primary goal of this scoping session is to have you identify
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be
considered in the environmental document. Individual oral comments will
be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is
designed to receive the maximum number of oral comments in a convenient
way during the timeframe allotted.
You may arrive at any time after the start times listed above.
There will not be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the
session opens. If you wish to speak, the Commission staff will hand out
numbers in the order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until the
end times listed above. However, if no additional numbers have been
handed out and all individuals who wish to provide comments have had an
opportunity to do so, staff may conclude the session up to an hour
before the end times listed above. Please see appendix 2 for additional
information on the session format and conduct.\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="54121106171b3a383d3a31072124243b262014323126377a333b22">[email protected]</a> or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Your scoping comments will be recorded by a court reporter (with
FERC staff or representative present) and become part of the public
record for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on
FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page of this notice for
instructions on using eLibrary). If a significant number of people are
interested in providing oral comments in the one-on-one settings, a
time limit of 5 minutes may be implemented for each commentor. Although
there will not be a formal presentation, Commission staff will be
available throughout the scoping session to answer your questions about
the environmental review process. Representatives from Eastern Shore
will also be present to answer project-specific questions.
It is important to note that the Commission provides equal
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form
or provided orally at a scoping session.
Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription, which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances
and submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe.
These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive
notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce
the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. 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#abe4fbfbebcdced9c885ccc4dd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="49061919092f2c3b2a672e263f">[email protected]</span></a>.
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; 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 planned 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#084f697b587a67626d6b7c496c6c7a6d7b7b4b6069666f6d486e6d7a6b266f677e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c087a1b390b2afaaa5a3b481a4a4b2a5b3b383a8a1aea7a580a6a5b2a3eea7afb6">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP23-536-000 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
[[Page 83405]]
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 3).
Becoming an Intervenor
Eastern Shore has filed its application with the Commission and you
may want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the
Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek
rehearing of the Commission's decision and be heard by the courts if
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to
intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully
described at <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.asp">https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.asp</a>. Please
note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor status
at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a formal
application for the Project, after which the Commission will issue a
public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.
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 (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>) using the eLibrary link. <a href="https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search">https://elibrary.ferc.gov/eLibrary/search</a>. Click on the eLibrary link, click on
``General Search'' and enter the docket number in the ``Docket Number''
field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e9af8c9b8aa6878580878cba9c9999869b9da98f8c9b8ac78e869f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="71371403123e1f1d181f14220401011e030531171403125f161e07">[email protected]</span></a> or toll free at (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: November 22, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-26243 Filed 11-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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