[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46012-46013]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23159]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP97-168-000 and CP97-169-000]


Alliance Pipeline L.P.; Notice of Availability of the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Alliance Pipeline 
Project

August 24, 1998.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared this final environmental impact statement 
(EIS) on natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Alliance Pipeline 
L.P. (Alliance) in the above-referenced dockets.
    The final EIS 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 as 
recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact. The final 
EIS evaluates alternatives to the proposal, including system 
alternatives.
    The final EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the following facilities in North Dakota, 
Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois:
     About 890 miles of 36-inch diameter natural gas pipeline;
     Seven compressor stations totaling 249,600 horsepower;
     Five meter stations;
     A total of 0.9 mile of 36-inch-diameter lateral pipeline 
connecting the proposed meter stations to the mainline pipeline;
     A measurement and pressure control station;
     Fifty block valves installed along the pipeline and at 
each compressor station; and
     Four new internal tool or ``pig'' launchers and five pig 
receivers.
    In addition, the final EIS addresses the potential environmental 
impact associated with construction and operation of a natural gas 
liquids extraction plant planned by Aux Sable Liquid Products L.P. in 
connection with Alliance's pipeline.
    The purpose of Alliance's proposed facilities is to transport up to 
1.325

[[Page 46013]]

billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, on a firm basis, produced in 
western Canada to interconnections with existing pipeline systems in 
the Chicago area. The planned Aux Sable Plant would extract the natural 
gas liquids that may be present in Alliance's pipeline.
    The final EIS will be used in the regulatory decision-making 
process at the FERC and may be presented as evidentiary material in 
formal hearings at the FERC. While the period for filing interventions 
in this case has expired, motions to intervene out-of-time can be filed 
with the FERC in accordance with the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedures, 18 CFR 385.214(d). Further, anyone desiring to file a 
protest with the FERC should do so in accordance with 18 CFR 385.211
    The final EIS 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.
    A limited number of copies are available from Public Reference and 
Files Maintenance Branch identified above. In addition, the final EIS 
has been mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies; public interest 
groups; individuals who requested a copy of the final EIS; libraries; 
newspapers; and parties to this proceeding.
    Additional information about the proposed project is available from 
Paul McKee in the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (202) 
208-1088.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-23159 Filed 8-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M