[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 85 (Friday, May 2, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 24092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11397]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP94-161-007]


Avoca Natural Gas Storage; Notice of Amendment and Notice of 
Extension of Time To File Comments on Notice of Intent to Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Avoca Gas Storage Project 
Supplement

April 28, 1997.
    Take notice that on April 14, 1997, Avoca Natural Gas Storage 
(Avoca), One Bowdoin Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, filed in 
Docket No. CP94-161-007, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas 
Act, significant project alterations which the Commission construes as 
an amendment to its pending amendment filed in Docket No. CP94-161-006, 
requesting modifications to its proposal to construct a brine pipeline, 
all as more fully set forth in the amendment which is on file with the 
Commission and open to public inspection. In addition, in response to 
several requests, the Commission will extend the period for making 
environmental comments on the Notice of Intent to Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Avoca Gas Storage Project 
Supplement and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI).
    Specifically, Avoca seeks to make the following alterations to its 
pending filing in Docket No. CP94-161-006:
     eliminate the 42.4 mile, 6-inch-diameter residual water 
return line and the residual water tank at the Akzo Nobel Salt Company 
(Akzo);
     deliver brine to Akzos brine field north of Akzos plant 
rather than directly to the plant which would result in the elimination 
of 1 mile of the 8-inch-diameter brine pipeline between mileposts (MP) 
4.5C and 5.5C and rerouting about 1,500 feet of the brine pipeline from 
about MP 4.5C northward to Akzos brine field;
     construct a brine storage tank at Akzos brine field rather 
than within the Akzo plant yard;
     modify the 8-inch-diameter pipeline route between MPs 
3.46C and 3.77C from 25 feet to the east of the Seneca West pipeline to 
25 feet to the west of New York State Electric and Gas Corporations 
(NYSEG) Seneca West pipeline;
     modify the 10-inch-diameter pipeline route between MP 
14.48 and 14.80 to follow the edge of a landowners field rather than 
diagonally cutting across the field (at the request of the landowner 
and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets):
     modify the 6-inch-diameter pipeline route into the 
Cargill, Inc. (Cargill) plant from MP 39.50 to MP 39.73 (at the 
landowners request) to a location that would follow a railroad spur and 
enter Cargill about 200 feet west of the originally proposed route;
     modify the 10-inch-diameter pipeline route between MPs 
34.84 and 35.56 so that it would be 25 feet east of the Texas Eastern 
Products Pipeline Corporation (TEPPCO) pipeline rather than 25 feet 
east of the Seneca West pipeline;
     directionally drill the crossing of Hamilton Creek (MP 
35.31); and
     add an access road at MP 37.24 that was omitted from the 
application.
    Avoca has also indicated that Cargill would need to construct 
facilities to accept brine from Avoca within its existing facility. 
These facilities would include:
     pipeline with a three-valve manifold and associated 
valves, controls, and equipment to tie-in to existing piping; and
     heat exchange equipment to meet temperature specifications 
for salt processing.
    Seneca Lake Pure Waters Associations Inc., Schuyler County 
Environmental Management Council, Schuyler County Soil & Water 
Conservation District, Barbara J. Halpin of the Schuyler County 
Legislature, Kevin Hughey, and John H. and Deborah G. Ball have 
requested that the Commission extend the period for public comment on 
environmental issues pursuant to the NOI issued on March 10, 1997. The 
parties contend that more time is needed to evaluate the project. Upon 
consideration, the Commission will extend the comment period for the 
NOI until May 19, 1997.
    Any person desiring to be heard or to make any protest with 
reference to said amendment should on or before May 19, 1997, file with 
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE, 
Washington, D.C. 20426, its comments on environmental issues, or a 
motion to intervene or a protest in accordance with the requirements of 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 
385.211) and the Regulations under the Natural Gas Act (18 CFR 157.10). 
All protests filed with the Commission will be considered by it in 
determining the appropriate action to be taken but will not serve to 
make the protestants parties to the proceeding. Any person wishing to 
become a party to a proceeding or to participate as a party in any 
hearing therein must file a motion to intervene in accordance with the 
Commission's Rules.
    Take further notice that, pursuant to the authority contained in 
and subject to jurisdiction conferred upon the Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission by Sections 7 and 15 of the Natural Gas Act and 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure, a hearing will be 
held without further notice before the Commission or its designee on 
this amendment if no motion to intervene is filed within the time 
required herein, if the Commission on its own review of the matter 
finds that a grant of the certificate is required by the public 
convenience and necessity. If a motion for leave to intervene is timely 
filed, or if the Commission on its own motion believes that a formal 
hearing is required, further notice of such hearing will be duly given.
    Under the procedure herein provided for, unless otherwise advised, 
it will be unnecessary for Avoca to appear or be represented at the 
hearing.
Lois D. Cashell,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-11397 Filed 5-1-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M