Notice2025-22551
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Cape Cod Canal Pipeline Relocation Project
Primary source
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Published
December 11, 2025
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 236 (Thursday, December 11, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 236 (Thursday, December 11, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57460-57461]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-22551]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP25-552-000]
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Cape Cod Canal
Pipeline Relocation Project
On September 29, 2025, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin)
filed an application in Docket No. CP25-552 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 and operate, and to abandon certain natural gas pipeline
facilities. The proposed project is known as the Cape Cod Canal
Pipeline Relocation Project (Project). Algonquin would modify its
existing interstate natural gas pipeline system facilities within the
Town of Bourne, Barnstable County, Massachusetts, to accommodate the
planned replacement of the Bourne Bridge and Sagamore Bridge by the
Cape Cod Bridges Program while continuing to provide uninterrupted
natural gas service to the National Grid distribution system on both
sides of the Cape Cod Canal.\1\
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\1\ The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owns and operates the
Bourne and Sagamore Bridges and the Cape Cod Canal and is jointly
implementing the Cape Cod Bridges Program with the Massachusetts
Department of Transportation.
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On October 8, 2025, 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.\2\ The EA will be
issued for a 30-day comment period.
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\2\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1763050824.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--April 17, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \3\--July 16, 2026
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\3\ 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.
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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
The Project would consist of the following facilities and
activities:
<bullet> installation of approximately 3.0 miles of 16-inch-
diameter and
[[Page 57461]]
approximately 2.2 miles of 18-inch-diameter pipeline to replace
National Grid's existing pipelines currently attached to the existing
Bourne and Sagamore Bridges;
<bullet> relocation of approximately 0.4 mile of existing 8-inch-
diameter and 0.7 mile of 18-inch-diameter pipelines adjacent to the
existing Sagamore and Bourne Bridges;
<bullet> abandonment by removal or in place of approximately 3.0
miles of existing 8-inch-diameter and 0.5 mile of 18-inch-diameter
pipelines;
<bullet> removal and relocation of two existing mainland meter and
regulating (M&R) stations--Sagamore and Bourne--that are within the
footprint of the Cape Cod Bridges Program workspace; and
<bullet> installation of two new M&R stations--Pave Paws Road and
Bourne Rotary.
Background
On April 3, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned Cape Cod
Canal Bridge Relocation Project and Notice of Public Scoping Session
(Notice of Scoping).\4\ The Notice of Scoping was issued during the
pre-filing review of the Project in Docket No. PF25-4 and 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 comments from the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, the Cape &
Islands Bridges Coalition, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team, one
landowner, and 18 other individuals. The primary and relevant issues
raised by the commenters were the purpose and need for the Project;
effects to sensitive resources in the Project area (e.g., wetlands,
sole source aquifers, and listed species); effects to local traffic and
noise during construction; and effects to air quality during
operations. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA.
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\4\ During pre-filing, Algonquin changed the name of the FERC-
jurisdictional Project to avoid confusion with replacement of the
Bourne and Sagamore Bridges planned by the Cape Cod Bridges Program.
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, and the Massachusetts Army National Guard are cooperating
agencies in the preparation of 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.
For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or request for rehearing contact the Office of
Public Participation at (202) 502-6595 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#67283737270102150449000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b7f8e7e7f7d1d2c5d499d0d8c1">[email protected]</span></a>.
Additional information about the Project is available from 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., CP25-552), 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#0d4b485f4e4263616463685e787d7d627f794d6b687f6e236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="31777463727e5f5d585f54624441415e434571575443521f565e47">[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.
(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)
Dated: December 8, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-22551 Filed 12-10-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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