Notice2024-01906
East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline Expansion Project Amendment, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Revised Schedule for Environmental Review
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 31, 2024
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6108-6111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01906]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP23-516-000; CP23-516-001]
East Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline
Expansion Project Amendment, Request for Comments on Environmental
Issues, and Notice of Revised Schedule for Environmental Review
On September 18, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC
[[Page 6109]]
or Commission) issued in Docket No. CP23-516-000 a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Ridgeline
Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and
Schedule for Environmental Review (NOI).\1\ On December 18, 2023 East
Tennessee Natural Gas, LLC (East Tennessee) incorporated minor
adjustments to the proposed Ridgeline Expansion Project (Project)
pipeline centerline and workspaces and relocated the Kingston Delivery
Meter Station to the pipeline terminus. On December 19, 2023, East
Tennessee amended its proposed Project to increase the pipeline
diameter from 24 to 30 inches along 8 miles in Morgan and Roane
Counties (formerly referred to as the ``Lateral''). This Supplemental
Notice is being issued to seek comments on the Project modifications,
filed on both December 18 and 19, 2023, and opens a new scoping period
for interested parties to file comments on environmental issues.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The NOI can be found at accession number 20230918-3011 at
<a href="http://elibrary.ferc.gov">elibrary.ferc.gov</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The September 18, 2023 NOI announced that the FERC staff will
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to address the
environmental impacts of the Project. Please refer to the NOI for more
information about the facilities proposed by East Tennessee in
Trousdale, Smith, Jackson, Putnam, Overton, Fentress, Morgan, and Roane
counties, Tennessee. The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-
making process to determine whether the Project, as modified, is in the
public convenience and necessity.
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Project modifications. Your comments
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. To
ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send
your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on
or before February 26, 2024.
The Commission previously solicited public input on the Project in
the fall of 2023. We \2\ are specifically seeking comments on the
pipeline centerline and workspace adjustments to help the Commission
staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EIS. If you
have previously submitted comments during the pre-filing review in
docket no. PF22-7-000 or in response to the NOI, you do not need to
resubmit your comments.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This Supplemental Notice is being sent to the Commission's current
environmental mailing list for the Project. State and local government
representatives are asked to notify their constituents of this proposed
Project modifications 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 proposed facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if
the Commission approves the Project, that approval conveys with it the
right of eminent domain. Therefore, if the easement negotiations fail
to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate
condemnation proceedings where compensation would be determined in
accordance with state law.
A fact sheet prepared by FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas
Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for viewing
on the FERC website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>). This fact sheet addresses a number
of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and
how to participate in the Commission's proceedings.
Public Participation
There are three 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#4f092a3d2c00212326212a1c3a3f3f203d3b0f292a3d2c61282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d492b1a6b79bbab8bdbab187a1a4a4bba6a094b2b1a6b7fab3bba2">[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''; 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 (CP23-
516-001) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
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#511e010111373423327f363e27"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ca859a9a8aacafb8a9e4ada5bc">[email protected]</span></a>.
Summary of Project Modifications
Modifications East Tennessee filed on December 18, 2023 consist of
the following changes:
<bullet> minor (300 feet or less) adjustments to the Mainline
centerline and workspace areas to address landowner concerns,
constructability constraints, and/or to avoid sensitive resources;
<bullet> modifications to the Kingston Delivery Meter Station and
Crossover as follows:
[ssquf] relocation of the Kingston Delivery Meter Station to the
pipeline terminus and installation of a new mainline valve (Valve #10)
at milepost (MP) 122.2R at the shippers request; and
[ssquf] change the name of the crossover, which will remain at MP
114.1, to the ``Harriman Crossover'';
[[Page 6110]]
<bullet> modification to the horizontal directional drill path for
the Emory River crossing;
<bullet> crossing Little Goose Creek and Goose Creek via one
horizontal directional drill crossing; and
<bullet> a reduction in the number of construction spreads from
three to two.
These modifications will affect 12 new landowners.
The Project Amendment, filed on December 19, 2023, would increase
the pipeline diameter from 24 to 30 inches along about 8 miles of
pipeline, formerly referred to as the ``Lateral'' in Morgan and Roane
Counties, increasing the Mainline length to about 122.2 miles and
eliminating references to this portion of pipeline as the ``Lateral.''
These modifications would not affect any new landowners.
An overview of the proposed Project is shown in appendix 1.\3\ A
figure that shows the revisions to the Project centerline and workspace
compared to what was originally proposed is provided as attachment 1-1a
of East Tennessee's December 18, 2023 supplemental filing.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of 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.
\4\ East Tennessee's December 18, 2023 supplemental filing can
be found at accession number 20231218-5284 at <a href="http://elibrary.ferc.gov">elibrary.ferc.gov</a>.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> socioeconomics and environmental justice;
<bullet> land use;
<bullet> air quality and noise; and
<bullet> reliability and safety.
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed Project
or portions of the Project and make recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
As part of our pre-filing review of the Project, we participated in
public Open House meetings sponsored by East Tennessee in the project
area in June 2022 to explain the environmental review process to
interested stakeholders. We also conducted public scoping meetings
along the proposed pipeline route in October 2022. We have also
contacted federal and state agencies to discuss their involvement in
the scoping process and the preparation of the EIS.
The EIS will present the FERC staff's independent analysis of the
issues. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park Service are
cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS.\5\ FERC 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 \6\ and the
Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page (<a href="https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environmental-overview/environmental-documents">https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environmental-overview/environmental-documents</a>). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant
email notification when the environmental document is issued.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), section 1501.8 (2021).
\6\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consultations 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, we initiated consultation with the applicable State
Historic Preservation Offices with the issuance of the September 2023
NOI to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the Project's potential
effects on historic properties.\7\ The EIS will document findings on
the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\7\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 800. Historic
properties are defined in those regulations as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revised Schedule for Environmental Review
This notice identifies the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
staff's revised schedule for the completion of the EIS for East
Tennessee's Ridgeline Expansion Project. The first notice of schedule,
issued on September 18, 2023, identified September 20, 2024 as the
final EIS issuance date. As discussed above, East Tennessee has
proposed an amendment and multiple project changes that precluded FERC
staff from completing the environmental review by the draft EIS
issuance date. As a result, staff has revised the schedule for issuance
of the final EIS, based on an issuance of the draft EIS in May 2024.
Issuance of the Notice of Availability of the final EIS December 20,
2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \8\ March 20, 2025
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\ 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, an additional notice will
be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the
project's progress.
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; affected landowners; and local libraries and
newspapers. This list also includes landowners affected by the Project
changes 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. We will update the environmental
mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the
information related to this environmental review to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the proposed 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#4403253714362b2e21273005202036213737072c252a232104222136276a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c285a3b192b0ada8a7a1b683a6a6b0a7b1b181aaa3aca5a782a4a7b0a1eca5adb4">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP23-516-001 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.
[[Page 6111]]
OR
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).
Additional Information
In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EIS and to
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets,
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This can
reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by
automatically providing you with notification of these filings,
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 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.,
CP23-516). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c680a3b4a589a8aaafa8a395b3b6b6a9b4b286a0a3b4a5e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3b5968190bc9d9f9a9d96a08683839c8187b395968190dd949c85">[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: January 25, 2024.
Debbie-Anne Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-01906 Filed 1-30-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 31, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.