[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 75 (Friday, April 18, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 19113]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-10051]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP97-25-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Availability of the 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Peak Day 2000 Expansion 
Project

April 14, 1997.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the 
natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Northern Natural Gas 
Company (Northern) in the above-referenced docket.
    The EA was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. The staff concludes that approval of the 
proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not 
constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality 
of the human environment.
    The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the proposed pipeline looping facilities 
including:
     Three 30-inch-diameter mainline loops in Hardin County, 
Iowa and Rice and Washington Counties, Minnesota;
     Four branchline loops (6-, 6-, 6-, and 12-inch-diameter 
pipelines in Dakota, Scott, Wright, and Carver Counties, Minnesota and 
Dickinson County, Iowa;
     One 8-inch-diameter branchline replacement (Carver County, 
Minnesota) and one 6-inch-diameter branchline tie-over (Jackson County, 
Iowa);
     Three new compressor stations and six modified compressor 
stations in Washington, Steele, Rice, and Dakota Counties, Minnesota, 
Guthrie and Hardin Counties, Iowa, Clay County, Kansas, and Gage and 
Otoe County, Nebraska; and
     Three new town border stations and 31 modified town border 
stations in various counties in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and 
Nebraska.
    The purpose of the proposed facilities would be to provide about 
267,161 thousand cubic feet per day (Mcfd) of gas to 26 local 
distribution companies, commercial, and industrial customers in 
Northerns operational zones ABC, D, and EF.
    The EA 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, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 208-1371.
    Copies of the EA have been mailed to Federal, state and local 
agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, newspapers, 
and parties to this proceeding. A limited number of copies of the EA 
are available from the above address.

Specific Comment Request

    Areas residents, local or state governments, intervenors, Northern, 
and other interested parties are asked to provide specific comments on 
whether the Rockford branchline alternative is 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

    Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. Written comments 
must reference Docket No. CP97-25-000, and be addressed to: Office of 
the Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, 
NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
    Comments should be filed as soon as possible, but must be received 
no later than May 16, 1997, to ensure consideration prior to a 
Commission decision on this proposal.
    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).
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-10051 Filed 4-17-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M