Notice2025-06944
Northwest Pipeline, LLC, Portland General Electric Company, B-R Pipeline, LLC, KB Pipeline Company; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Kelso-Beaver Reliability Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Session
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
April 23, 2025
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 77 (Wednesday, April 23, 2025)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 77 (Wednesday, April 23, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17058-17060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-06944]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP25-89-000, CP25-90-000]
Northwest Pipeline, LLC, Portland General Electric Company, B-R
Pipeline, LLC, KB Pipeline Company; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting
Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Kelso-Beaver
Reliability Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Session
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document, that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the Kelso-Beaver Reliability Project
involving construction and operation of facilities by Northwest
Pipeline, LLC (Northwest) in Cowlitz County, Washington. The Commission
will use this environmental document in its decision-making process to
determine whether the project is in the public convenience and
necessity.
This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the project. 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 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. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and Environmental Document section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 p.m. eastern time on May 19, 2025. Comments may be submitted
in written or oral form. Further details on how to submit comments are
provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission
staff will consider all written and oral comments during the
preparation of the environmental document.
If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on February 27, 2025, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. CP25-89-000 or CP25-90-000 to ensure they
are considered as part of this proceeding.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
Northwest 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 Natural Gas, Landowner Topics link.
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#45032037260a2b292c2b20163035352a373105232037266b222a33"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e7a1829584a8898b8e8982b4929797889593a781829584c9808891">[email protected]</span></a>.
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is 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 also 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 (CP25-
89-000 or CP25-90-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S.
Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, 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 A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852;
or
(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:
[[Page 17059]]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date and time Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday, May 15, 2025, 4:30-6:30 Cowlitz County Event Center, 1900
p.m. 7th Avenue, Longview, WA 98632,
phone number: (360) 577-3121.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 amount of oral comments in a convenient
way during the timeframe allotted.
The scoping session is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Pacific Daylight Time. You may arrive at any time after 4:30 p.m. 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 6:30 p.m.
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 at 6 p.m. Please see appendix 2 for
additional information on the session format and conduct.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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. For
assistance, contact FERC at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eea8abbcada1808287808bbd9b9e9e819c9aae888b9c8dc0898198">[email protected]</a> or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your oral 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 Northwest 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,
community organizations, 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#68273838280e0d1a0b460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8a7b8b8a88e8d9a8bc68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>.
Summary of the Proposed Project
Northwest proposes to acquire, own, and operate an existing 18-
mile-long, 20-inch-diameter pipeline (KB Pipeline) from Portland
General Electric Company, KB Pipeline Company, and B-R Pipeline,
LLC.\2\ Northwest also requests authorization to make the KB Pipeline
bi-directional and install a new 5,500 horsepower compressor station in
Cowlitz County, Washington. Northwest states the project would provide
the transportation services necessary for interested shippers to
further access and utilize the non-jurisdictional expansion of the
State of Oregon-regulated North Mist Storage facility (North Mist
Project), which would be constructed concurrently with the Kelso-Beaver
Reliability Project.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Portland General Electric Company, KB Pipeline Company, and
B-R Pipeline, LLC also filed to abandon the KB Pipeline to Northwest
in Docket No. CP25-90-000.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Project would create 52,400 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of
westbound capacity and 131,000 Dth/d of eastbound capacity on
Northwest's system. According to Northwest, the Project would provide
incremental westbound transportation service from its system into the
North Mist Project and new eastbound transportation service from the
North Mist Project into Northwest's system.
The project would consist of the following facilities:
<bullet> one new KB Compressor Station in Cowlitz County,
Washington, consisting of one 5,500 horsepower electric motor driven
compressor unit and appurtenances. The site is currently residential in
use; and
<bullet> modification of the existing KB Meter Station and existing
aboveground facilities in Cowlitz County, Washington.
The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix
1.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 4.8
acres of land, including about 3.3 acres for the proposed KB Compressor
Station, about 0.7 acre for the KB Meter Station, and about 0.8 acre
for temporary workspace along the KB Pipeline right-of-way. Northwest
would purchase the land on which the proposed compressor station and
meter station would be constructed. Following construction, Northwest
would maintain about 3.9 acres for permanent operation of the project's
aboveground facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and
revert to former uses.
NEPA Process and the Environmental Document
Any environmental document 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> air quality and noise; and
<bullet> reliability and safety.
Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable 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. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
[[Page 17060]]
Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine
whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission
staff's independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff
prepares an EA, a ``Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an
Environmental Assessment'' will be issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed
project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a ``Notice of Intent to
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule'' will be issued, which will open up
an additional comment period. Staff will then 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 EA
or draft and final EIS will be available in electronic format in the
public record through eLibrary \3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the environmental document.\4\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ Cooperating agency responsibilities are addressed in section
107(a)(3) of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4336(a)(3)).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
and 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.\5\ The environmental document for this
project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties
and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 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#d592b4a685a7babfb0b6a194b1b1a7b0a6a696bdb4bbb2b095b3b0a7b6fbb2baa3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d592b4a685a7babfb0b6a194b1b1a7b0a6a696bdb4bbb2b095b3b0a7b6fbb2baa3">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP25-89-000 or CP25-90-000
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 3).
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. Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88ceedfaebc7e6e4e1e6eddbfdf8f8e7fafcc8eeedfaeba6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="672102150428090b0e090234121717081513270102150449000811">[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: April 17, 2025.
Carlos D. Clay,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-06944 Filed 4-22-25; 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 April 23, 2025.
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.