[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13068-13069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-5093]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP00-165-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation; Notice of 
Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Sundance 
Expansion Project

February 22, 2001.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the 
natural gas pipeline and compressor facilities proposed by 
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) 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 Transco's proposed pipeline loops and the 
related expansion and modification of compressor units. Transco's 
proposed Sundance Expansion Project would include:
     A total of approximately 38 miles of 42-inch and 48-inch 
diameter pipeline looping \1\ in four separate locations on existing 
pipelines;
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    \1\ A loop is a segment of pipeline that is installed adjacent 
to an existing pipeline and connected to it on both ends. The loop 
allows more gas to be moved through the pipeline system.
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     Piping modifications to existing Compressor Station No. 
105;
     The addition of one new 18,975 horsepower (hp) electric 
motor-driven compressor, the uprating of an existing 15,000 hp electric 
motor-driven compressor, and the uprating of an existing 16,500 hp 
electric motor-driven compressor to 18,975 hp at the existing 
Compressor Station No. 115, thus increasing total certificated 
compression at the facility to 56,925 hp;
     The addition of one new 15,000 hp gas turbine-driven 
natural gas compressor and the uprating of an existing 4,000 hp 
compressor to 4,800 hp at existing Compressor Station No. 125, thus 
increasing total compression at the facility to 38,800 hp;
     The addition of gas coolers to the existing Compressor 
Station No. 150;
     The Installation of various pig launcher/receiver 
facilities and mainline block valves at the beginnings and ends of the 
proposed loops, with additional mainline block valves installed as 
needed on the loops.
    The Sundance Expansion Project also includes nonjurisdictional 
facilities. These include a 6.5-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter pipeline 
(Wansley Lateral) from a tap on Transco's Mainline System at milepost 
1000.9 to a planned electric generating facility (Wansley Plant) in 
Heard County, Georgia, set for commencement of service on June 1, 2002; 
and an 81.7-mile-long, 30-inch-diameter pipeline (Richmond Lateral) 
from a tap on Transco's Mainline System at milepost 1286.96 to an 
electric generating facility (Richmond Plant) in Richmond County, North 
Carolina, that is presently under construction.
    Transco's proposed Sundance Expansion Project would expand the 
capacity of its existing mainline system

[[Page 13069]]

to transport an additional 236,383 dekatherms per day of natural gas to 
accommodate firm transportation service.
    The EA has been placed in the public files of the FERC. A limited 
number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and 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.
    Copies of the EA have been mailed to Federal, state and local 
agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, newspapers, 
and parties to this proceeding.
    Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. To ensure 
consideration 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 copies of your comments to: Secretary, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., N.E., Room 1A, Washington, DC 
20426;
     Label one copy of the comments for the attention of the 
Gas Hydro Group;
     Reference Docket No. CP00-165-000; and
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before March 16, 2001.
    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). Only intervenors have the right to seek 
rehearing of the Commission's decision.
    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be 
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they 
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be 
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor 
status to have your comments considered.
    Additional information about the proposed project is available from 
the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (202) 208-0004 or on the 
FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us) using the ``RIMS'' link to 
information in this docket number. Click on the ``RIMS'' link, select 
``Docket #'' from the RIMS menu, and follow the instructions. For 
assistance with access to RIMS the RIMS helpline can be reached at 
(202) 208-2222.
    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. For assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS 
helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-5093 Filed 3-1-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-M