[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 173 (Tuesday, September 8, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47490-47491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23977]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP98-131-000 and CP98-133-000]


Vector Pipeline L.P.; Notice of Availability of the Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Vector Pipeline Project

September 1, 1998.
    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 Vector Pipeline L.P. 
(Vector) in the above-referenced dockets.
    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 analyzed system alternatives, major route alternatives, route 
variations, and alternative compressor station sites, and requests 
comments on them.
    The DEIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the following facilities:
     266.9 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline in Illinois, 
Indiana, and Michigan extending from Joliet in Will County, Illinois to 
Oakland County, Michigan;
     3.7 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline in St. Clair 
County, Michigan terminating at the border of the United States and 
Canada near St. Clair, Michigan;
     four meter stations;

[[Page 47491]]

     two compressor stations totaling 60,000 horsepower;
     20 new mainline values, two internal tool or ``pig'' 
launchers and one pig receiver; and
     permanent roads for access to compressor stations and 
valves.
    The Vector Pipeline Project also includes the lease of 58.8 miles 
of an existing 36-inch-diameter pipeline from Oakland County to St. 
Clair County, Michigan.
    The purpose of the proposed facilities would be to transport about 
1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from the Chicago hub to the 
Dawn hub; deliver significant volumes of gas to markets in Michigan; 
and to provide increased access to the Dawn hub and markets in Canada 
and the eastern U.S.

Specific Comment Request

    The staff has identified and evaluated in detail two compressor 
station alternative sites, and evaluated eight route variations to the 
proposed facilities. Of these compressor station alternatives and route 
variations, the staff has not recommended the use of any at this time. 
Area residents, local or state governments, intervenors, Vector, and 
other interested parties are asked to provide specific comments on 
whether these alternatives and variations are reasonable, 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. To ensure 
reconsideration prior to a Commission decision on the proposal, it is 
important that we receive your comments before the date specified 
below. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your 
comments are received in time and properly recorded:
     Send two copies of your comments to: Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE, Room 1A Washington, DC 
20426;
     Label one copy of the comments for the attention of the 
Environmental Review and Compliance Branch, PR-11.1;
     Reference Docket Nos. CP98-131-000 and CP98-133-000;
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before October 19, 1998.
    In addition to accepting written comments, four public meetings to 
receive comments on the DEIS will be held at the following times and 
locations:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Date/time                             Location
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, October 5, 1998 7:00   Leslie High School Auditorium, 4141 Hull
 pm.                            Road, Leslie, MI, (517) 589-8200.
Monday, October 5, 1998 7:00   Milford High School, 2380 S. Milford
 pm.                            Road, Milford, MI, (248) 684-8091.
Tuesday, October 6, 1998 7:00  Three Rivers Community Center, 103
 pm.                            Postage Avenue, Three Rivers, MI, (616)
                                279-9231.
Tuesday, October 6, 1998 7:00  Radisson Hotel at Star Plaza, 800 E. 81st
 pm.                            Avenue, Merrillville, IN, (219) 757-
                                3537.
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    Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend and 
present oral comments on the environmental impacts described in the 
DEIS. Transcripts of the meetings will be prepared. Additional 
information about the meetings is available from Paul McKee in the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (202) 208-1088.
    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 commenter 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.
    The DEIS has been placed in the public files of the FERC and is 
available for distribution and 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 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.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-23977 Filed 9-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M