[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11863-11864]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-6279]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. CP96-153-000]


Southern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Availability of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed North Alabama Pipeline 
Project

March 7, 1997.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
on the natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Southern Natural Gas 
Company (Southern) in the above-referenced docket.
    The DEIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. The staff concludes that approval of the 
proposed project with the appropriate mitigating measures as 
recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact. The DEIS 
also evaluates alternatives to the proposal, including a system 
alternative called the Alabama-Tennessee System Alternative that is 
environmentally preferred; major route alternatives; and route 
variations, and requests comments on them.
    The DEIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the following facilities:
     about 118.0 miles of new natural gas pipeline (109.5 miles 
of 16-inch-diameter pipeline and 8.5 miles of 12.75-inch-diameter 
pipeline);
     about 6,300 horsepower of new compression at two existing 
compressor stations; and
     two new meter stations, and related facilities.
    Facilities required by two local distribution companies are also 
examined.
    The purpose of the proposed facilities would be to transport about 
74,850 thousand cubic feet per day of natural gas to five customers in 
Alabama and Georgia.

Specific Comment Request

    The staff has identified and evaluated in detail one system 
alternative (the Alabama-Tennessee System Alternative), one major route 
alternative (the Tarrant Alternative), the Triana Variation, and 96 
other route variations to the proposed facilities. Of the 97 route 
variations, the staff has recommended the use of 78 and has not 
recommended the use of 19 others at this time. Area residents, local or 
state governments, intervenors, Southern, and other interested parties 
are asked to provide specific comments on whether these alternatives 
and variations are reasonable and practicable and environmentally 
preferable to the proposed facilities. Comments should also address any 
effect on project timing and related cost/benefits.

Comment Procedures and Public Meeting

    Any person wishing to comment on the DEIS may do so. Written 
comments must be filed on or before April 28, 1997, must reference 
Docket No. CP96-153-000, and be addressed to: Office of the Secretary, 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Room 1A, 
Washington, DC 20426.
    We will announce in a future notice, the location and time of at 
least one public meeting to receive comments on the DEIS.
    After these comments are reviewed, any significant new issues are 
investigated, and modifications are made to the DEIS, a Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) will be published and distributed 
by the staff. The FEIS will contain the staff's responses to timely 
comments filed on the DEIS.
    Comments will be considered by the Commission but will not serve to 
make the commentor a party to the proceeding. Any person seeking to 
become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene 
pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedures (18 CFR 385.214).
    Anyone may intervene in this proceeding based on this DEIS. You 
must file your request to intervene as specified above. You do not need 
intervenor status to have your comments considered.

[[Page 11864]]

    The DEIS has been placed in the public files of the FERC and is 
available for public inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First 
Street, N.E., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 208-1371.
    Copies of the DEIS have been mailed to Federal, state and local 
agencies, public interest groups, individuals who have requested the 
DEIS, newspapers, and parties to this proceeding. A limited number of 
copies of the DEIS are available from the above address.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-6279 Filed 3-12-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M