[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 222 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63023-63024]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-30081]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP97-315-000, et. al. and CP98-319-000, CP98-200-000, 
CP98-540-000]


Independence Pipeline Company, ANR Pipeline Company, National 
Fuel Gas Supply Corporation, and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Corporation; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Proposed Independence Pipeline and Market Link 
Expansion Projects

November 12, 1999.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) 
on natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by ANR Pipeline Company 
(ANR), Independence Pipeline Company (Independence), National Fuel Gas 
Supply Corporation (National Fuel), and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Corporation (Transco) in the above-referenced dockets. The application 
and other supplemental filings in this docket area available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us). Click on the 
``RIMS'' link, select ``Docket '' from the RIMS 
Menu, and follow the instructions. Similarly, the ``CIPS'' link on the 
FERC Internet website provides access to the texts of formal documents 
issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. 
From the FERC Internet Website, click on the ``CIPS'' link, select 
Docket # from the CIPS menu, and follow the instructions .
    The final EIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act. The staff concludes that approval of 
the proposed projects, with appropriate mitigating measures as 
recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact. The final 
EIS also evaluates alternatives to the proposal, including 
alternatives.

[[Page 63024]]

    The final EIS assesses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the following facilities in Illinois, 
Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

ANR

     About 72.3 miles of high pressure pipeline looping in 
three segments, consisting of about 42.4 miles of 42-inch-diameter 
pipeline, and about 29.9 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline;
     15,000 horsepower (hp) of additional compression at one 
existing compressor station, and minor modifications to two existing 
stations; and
     Six new internal tool or ``pig'' launchers along the new 
pipeline loops.

Indepdence

     About 397.4 miles of 36-inch-diameter high pressure 
pipeline;
     60,00 hp of compression at three new compressor stations;
     Three new meter stations;
     Six taps to local distribution companies; and
     28 mainline valves along the pipeline.

National Fuel

     Abandon, primary by removal, various segments of three 
existing pipelines within about 39.3 miles of right-of-way; and
     Minor modifications to remaining facilities along that 
section of right-of-way to maintain service to existing customers.

Transco

     About 152.8 miles of high-pressure pipeline looping, 
consisting of our segments totaling 63.2 miles of 36- and 42-inch-
diameter pipeline in Pennsylvania, six segments totaling 83.3 miles of 
36- and 42-inch-diameter pipeline in New Jersey, and 6.3 miles of 36-
inch-diameter replacement in New Jersey;
     62,400 hp of additional compression at three existing 
compressor stations, and replaced impeller at one existing compressor 
station;
     Modifications to three regulator stations; and
     One new pig launcher.
    The purpose of the proposed projects is to transport up to 1 
billion cubic feet per day of natural gas, principally from ANR's 
existing system (in the Chicago, Illinois area) to markets in the 
eastern United States.

Docket Nos. CP97-315-000, et al.

    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 a the FERC. While the period for filing interventions 
in these cases have expired, motions to intervene out of time can be 
filed with the FERC in accordance with the Commission's Rules and 
Practice and Procedures, 18 Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR) 
385.214(d). Further, anyone desiring to file a protest with the FERC 
should do so in accordance with 18 CFR 385.211.
    A 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, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 208-1371.
    A limited number of copies are available from the Public Reference 
and Files Maintenance Branch identified above. In addition, the final 
EIS have been mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies; public 
interest groups; those individuals/groups who filed comments on the 
final EIS; affected landowners/individuals who requested a copy of the 
final EIS; libraries; newspaper; and parties to this proceeding.
    Additional information about the proposed projects is available 
from Paul McKee in the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 
(202) 208-1088 or on the FERC website (www.ferc.fed.us) using the 
``RIMS'' link to information in this docket number. For assistance with 
access to RIMS, the RIMS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2222. 
Access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission with 
regard to this docket, such as orders and notices, is also available on 
the FERC website using the ``CIPS'' link. For assistance with access to 
CIPS, the CIPS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.
Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-30081 Filed 11-17-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M