[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 102 (Tuesday, May 28, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36874-36877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13235]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF01-1-000]


Dominion Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Public Scoping Meetings 
and Site Visit for the Greenbrier Pipeline Project and Request for 
Comments on Environmental Issues

May 21, 2002.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) is sending out this notice to announce the dates and 
locations of the Greenbrier Pipeline Project's public scoping meetings, 
and is continuing our\1\ request to receive comments on environmental 
issues. We are in the process of preparing an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) for Dominion Transmission, Inc.'s (Dominion)\2\ project 
in West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina.\3\ The planned 
facilities consist of about 278.3 miles of mainline and lateral 
pipelines, two compressor stations, up to four meter stations, and 
related facilities. This EIS will be used by the Commission in its 
decision-making process to determine whether or not the project is in 
the public convenience and necessity.
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    \1\ ``We'', ``us'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Office of Energy Projects (OEP), part of the Commission 
staff.
    \2\ The Greenbrier Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (GPC) will actually 
file the application to construct the Greenbrier Pipeline Project. 
GPC will be an equity venture between Dominion Greenbrier, Inc. and 
Piedmont Greenbrier Pipeline Company, L.L.C. Dominion Greenbrier, 
Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dominion Resources, Inc. 
Piedmont Greenbrier Pipeline Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned 
subsidiary of Piedmont Natural Gas Company, Inc. These companies 
will have 67 and 33 percent equity owner interest, respectively, in 
the project. This notice will refer to Dominion in lieu of GPC since 
it initiated Docket No. PF01-1-000. After the certificate 
application is filed, we will refer to the proponent of the projects 
as GPC.
    \3\ Dominion's application for this project, now in Docket No. 
PF01-1-000, will be given a ``CP'' filing designation when it is 
formally filed with the Commission. This application should fall 
under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act and Part 157 of the 
Commission's regulations.
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    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a pipeline company representative for permission to survey across 
your land or to obtain an easement to construct, operate, and maintain 
the planned facilities on your property. The pipeline company would 
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the 
project is filed and subsequently approved by the Commission, that 
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if 
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
applicable state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC staff entitled ``An Interstate 
Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' addresses a 
number of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent 
domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. The fact 
sheet is available for viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov).
    This notice is being mailed to landowners who are within a surveyed 
100-foot-wide corridor; landowners within a 400-foot-wide corridor that 
is

[[Page 36875]]

under consideration but has not yet been surveyed; landowners along 
alternative alignments that are being considered by Dominion; 
landowners who have property crossed by access roads, pipe yards, or 
other off-right-of-way potentially affected property; Federal, state, 
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes that might attach 
religious and cultural significance to historic properties in the area 
of potential effect; and local libraries and newspapers. We encourage 
government representatives to notify their constituents of this planned 
action and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    With this notice, we are also asking other Federal and state 
agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues in the project area to cooperate with us in the 
preparation of the EIS. These agencies may choose to participate once 
they have evaluated Dominion's proposal relative to their 
responsibilities. Agencies who would like to request cooperating status 
should follow the instructions for filing comments described later in 
this notice. See appendix 1.

Summary of the Project

    Dominion states that its project would transport up to 600,000 
dekatherms per day (Dth/day) of natural gas to serve a growing demand 
for gas in southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and North 
Carolina. Dominion seeks authority to construct and operate the 
Greenbrier Pipeline Project as follows:
    a. About 215.7 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline from its existing 
Cornwell Compressor Station in Kanawha County, West Virginia, to 
Rockingham County, North Carolina;
    b. About 41.4 miles of 24-inch-diameter pipeline from Rockingham to 
Person Counties, North Carolina;
    c. About 17.4 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline from Person to 
Granville Counties, North Carolina;
    d. About 1.0 mile of 12-inch-diameter lateral in Person County, 
North Carolina (DG-2);
    e. About 2.1 miles of 10-inch-diameter lateral in Granville County, 
North Carolina (DG-3);
    f. About 0.7 mile of 30-inch-diameter lateral in Rockingham County, 
North Carolina (DG-4);
    g. Two new compressor stations, one in Kanawha County, West 
Virginia, (the Elk River Compressor Station) and the other in 
Rockingham County, North Carolina (Eden Compressor Station), totaling 
about 41,000 horsepower;
    h. Up to four meter stations in Henry County, Virginia, and 
Rockingham, Person, and Granville Counties, North Carolina; and
    f. Associated mainline valves, piping, and other appurtenant 
pipeline facilities.
Items a., b., and c. would collectively form a new mainline pipeline 
(DG-1).

    Nonjurisdictional Facilities

--Virginia Power Energy Marketing, Inc. and Mountain Creek Development, 
L.L.C. are planning to construct power plants in Person and Granville 
Counties, North Carolina.

    A general location map of the project facilities is shown in 
appendix 2.4 5, If you are interested in obtaining a 
detailed map of a specific portion of the project, you may send in your 
request using the form in appendix 4. Dominion has indicated that most 
of the pipeline route is firming up. However, it is still looking at an 
alternative alignment in the vicinity of the Hawks Nest State Park in 
Fayette County, West Virginia, and at the Henry County Alternative that 
is generally east of Martinsville, Virginia. See appendix 2 for the 
general location of these alternatives. The Hawks Nest State Park 
reroute would seek to avoid impact on the view shed of the park. In 
general, the Henry County Alternative follows a power line corridor. 
Whereas, the ``original'' alignment examined on the east side of 
Martinsville follows a products pipeline corridor.
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    \4\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the 
Commission's website at the ``RIMS'' link or from the Commission's 
Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE, 
Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 208-1371. For 
instructions on connecting to RIMS, refer to the last page of this 
notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving 
this notice in the mail.
    \5\ The Commission is in the process of replacing RIMS and CIPS 
with the Federal Energy Regulatory Records Information System 
(FERRIS). If RIMS or CIPS cannot be found at the identified 
Commission web sites, FERRIS can be used to access information.
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Land Requirements

    The planned construction and permanent right-of-way (ROW) widths 
for the pipelines are as follows:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Pipe                  Permanent
               Name P                  diameter  Construction     ROW
                                       (inches)   ROW  (feet)    (feet)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DG-1................................         30          100          75
DG-1................................         24           75          50
DG-1................................         20           75          50
DG-2................................         12           75          50
DG-3................................         10           75          50
DG-4\6\.............................         30          100         75
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\6\ The DG-1 and DG-4 ROWs would overlap.

    Construction of the planned pipelines would require about 3,500 
acres (including pipeline ROWs and additional temporary work spaces). 
Following construction, about 2,334 acres would be retained as new 
permanent ROW for the pipelines. The 1,166 acres of temporary work 
space would be restored and allowed to revert to its former use.
    Construction of the Elk River Compressor Station would disturb 
about 20.1 acres within the existing Cornwell Compressor Station. Six 
acres would be permanently used. The Eden Compressor Station would be 
located within a 79.9-acre property. About 38.0 acres would be 
disturbed by construction, and 6.3 acres would be permanently used. 
Dominion would construct the Transco Meter Station at the end of DG-4 
using 1.85 acres. The rest of the meter stations would be constructed 
by the customers.

The EIS Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us 
to solicit and address concerns the public may have about proposals. We 
call this ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus 
the EIS on the important environmental issues. With this notice, the 
Commission is continuing to seek public comments on the scope of the 
issues it will address in the EIS. All comments received are considered 
during the preparation of the EIS. State and local government 
representatives are encouraged to notify their constituents of this 
planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of 
concern.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    The public has already identified numerous issues that they want 
addressed in our review of the proposed facilities. These scoping 
letters can be examined at the Commission's Web site under Docket No. 
PF01-1-000. These comments fall under the following general headings:
    [sbull] Geology and soils.
    [sbull] Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands.
    [sbull] Vegetation and wildlife.
    [sbull] Endangered and threatened species.
    [sbull] Land use, recreation, and visual resources.
    [sbull] Socioeconomics.
    [sbull] Air and noise quality.
    [sbull] Pipeline safety.
    [sbull] Alternatives.
    We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project 
or

[[Page 36876]]

portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. We have identified several 
issues that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of 
the planned facilities and the environmental information provided by 
Dominion. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on our 
analysis.
    [sbull] Federally listed endangered or threatened species may occur 
in the project area.
    [sbull] Hawks Nest State Park is near the project.
    [sbull] Blue Ridge Parkway is crossed.
    [sbull] Jefferson National Forest is crossed.
    [sbull] Appalachian Trail is crossed.
    [sbull] Numerous streams and wetlands are crossed.
    [sbull] Homes and schools are near the pipelines.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will result in the 
publication of a draft EIS that will be mailed to Federal, state, and 
local government agencies; Native American tribes; elected officials; 
public interest groups; interested individuals; interested affected 
landowners; newspapers; libraries; and the Commission's official 
service list for this proceeding. A 45-day comment period will be 
allotted for review of the draft EIS. We will consider comments on the 
draft EIS and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final 
EIS. The final EIS will include our response to comments received on 
the draft EIS and will be used by the Commission in its decision-making 
process to determine whether or not to approve the project.
    To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the 
instructions in the ``Public Participation'' or ``Public Scoping 
Meetings'' sections of this notice.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your 
concerns will be addressed in the EIS and considered by the Commission. 
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the 
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative locations 
and routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The 
more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. Please 
carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are 
received in time and properly recorded:
    [sbull] Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Magalie 
R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First 
St., NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
    [sbull] Refer to Docket No. PF01-1-000;
    [sbull] Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas 
Branch 2, PJ-11.2; and
    [sbull] Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before June 20, 2002.
    Please note that we are continuing to experience delays in mail 
deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service. As a result, we will include 
all comments that we receive within a reasonable time frame in our 
environmental analysis of this project. However, the Commission 
encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions or 
protests to this proceeding. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the 
instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under 
the ``e-Filing'' link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you can 
file comments you will need to create a free account which can be 
created by clicking on ``Login to File'' and then ``New User Account.''
    If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to 
remain on our mailing list, please return the Mailing List Retention 
Form included in appendix 4. If you do not return the form, you will be 
taken off the mailing list.

Public Scoping Meetings

    In addition to or in lieu of sending written comments, we invite 
you to attend any or all of the public scoping meetings that we will 
conduct in the area of the Greenbrier Pipeline Project. All of these 
meetings will start at 7 p.m. The locations for these meetings are 
listed below.

Monday, June 10, 2002, Roxboro, North Carolina--Person County Office 
Building, 304 South Morgan Street, Roxboro, North Carolina 27573, (336) 
597-1720
Tuesday, June 11, 2002, Bassett, Virginia-- Bassett High School, 85 
Riverside Drive, Bassett, Virginia 24055, (276) 629-1731
Wednesday, June 12, 2002,Riner, Virginia--Auburn High School, 4163 
Riner Road, Riner, Virginia 24149, (540) 382-5160
Thursday, June 13, 2002, Mt. Hope, West Virginia--Mt. Hope Middle 
School, 510 Main Street, Mt. Hope, West Virginia 25880, (304) 877-6641
    The public scoping meetings provide you another opportunity to 
offer your comments on the project. Interested groups and individuals 
are encouraged to attend the meetings and to present comments on the 
environmental issues they believe should be addressed in the draft EIS. 
A transcript of each meeting will be made so that your comments will be 
accurately recorded.

The Pre-Filing NEPA Process

    At the present time, Dominion has not filed an application with the 
FERC for the Greenbrier Pipeline Project. However, FERC has initiated 
work on evaluating the project using the Pre-Filing NEPA Process. FERC 
has assigned a Pre-Filing Docket Number (PF01-1-000). When Dominion 
files a formal application, it will be assigned a ``CP'' docket number, 
and all information filed under Docket No. PF01-1-000 will be become 
part of the record for the ``CP docket''. All comments received during 
the pre-filing period will be considered during the preparation of the 
EIS. An EIS will not be issued until Dominion has filed an acceptable 
application at the FERC.

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Dominion formally files a CP application at the FERC for the 
Greenbrier Pipeline Project, you may want to become an official party 
to the proceeding, known as an ``intervenor''. Intervenors play a more 
formal role in the process. Among other things, intervenors have the 
right to receive copies of case-related Commission documents and 
filings by other intervenors. Likewise, each intervenor must provide 14 
copies of its filings to the Secretary of the Commission and must send 
a copy of its filings to all other parties on the Commission's service 
list for this proceeding. If you want to become an intervenor you must 
file a motion to intervene according to Rule 214 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214) (see appendix 3).\7\ 
Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's 
decision.
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    \7\ Interventions may also be filed electronically via the 
Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing 
comments electronically.
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    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 that would not be 
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor 
status to have your environmental comments considered. Parties cannot 
intervene in this project until a ``CP'' application is filed at the 
FERC. The company will mail a notice of this filing to affected 
landowners shortly after it occurs.

[[Page 36877]]

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the proposed project is available from 
the Commission's Office of External Affairs (202) 208-1088 or on the 
FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov) 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. Please 
note that you must enter PF01-1 as the docket number, and 000 as the 
subdocket number.
    For assistance with access to RIMS, the RIMS help line can be 
reached at (202) 208-2222. Similarly, the ``CIPS'' link on the FERC 
Internet Web site provides access to the texts of formal documents 
issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. 
From the FERC Internet Web site, click on the ``CIPS'' link, select 
``Docket #'' from the CIPS Menu, and follow the instructions. 
For assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS help line can be reached 
at (202) 208-2222.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-13235 Filed 5-24-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P