Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Leidy Access Expansion Project

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 214 (Friday, November 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 214 (Friday, November 6, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 70084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-22721]



[[Page 70084]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP26-576-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule 
for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Leidy Access 
Expansion Project

    On September 4, 2026, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC 
(Transco) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-576-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural 
gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the Leidy 
Access Expansion Project (Project) and would enable Transco to provide 
an incremental 183,100 dekatherms per day of year-round firm 
transportation capacity from the Marcellus Shale production area in 
northeastern Pennsylvania to a new transfer point east of Compressor 
Station 515 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania.
    On September 21, 2026, 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\ The EA will be 
issued for a 30-day comment period.
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    \1\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental 
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating 
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1790772793.
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Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--March 26, 2027
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--June 24, 2027
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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

    The Project will consist of the following components, all within 
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania:
    <bullet> about 3.4 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline (Diamond 
Loop), all of which would be collocated with Transco's Leidy Loop Lines 
B and C;
    <bullet> addition of pig launcher/receiver \3\ and tie-in 
facilities at Transco's existing Compressor Station 515;
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    \3\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into 
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning, conducting internal 
inspections, or other purposes. A pig launcher/receiver is where 
pigs are inserted/retrieved from the pipeline.
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    <bullet> a new mainline valve site that includes a tie-in and pig 
launcher/receiver at the terminus of the proposed Diamond Loop; and
    <bullet> additional ancillary facilities, such as cathodic 
protection.

Background

    On October 1, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Leidy Access Expansion 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 comments from one landowner. The primary issues 
raised by the commenter include temporary construction effects (such as 
vegetation), adequate erosion control, property access, protection of 
future property use, and potential future changes. All substantive 
comments 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.
    For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office 
of Public Participation at (202) 502-6595 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#743b242434121106175a131b02"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3f706f6f7f595a4d5c11585049">[email&#160;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., CP26-576), 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#dd9b988f9e92b3b1b4b3b88ea8adadb2afa99dbbb8afbef3bab2ab"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="81c7c4d3c2ceefede8efe4d2f4f1f1eef3f5c1e7e4f3e2afe6eef7">[email&#160;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: November 3, 2026.
Carlos D. Clay,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-22721 Filed 11-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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