[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 99 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29496-29499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-11331]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF08-10-000]


Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Fort Necessity Gas Storage 
Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

May 14, 2008.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
address the environmental impacts of the Fort Necessity Gas Storage 
Project (project) proposed by Atmos Pipeline and Storage, LLC (Atmos). 
The Commission will use the EA in its decision-making process to 
determine whether or not to authorize the project. This notice explains 
the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the 
public and interested agencies on the project. Your input will help us 
determine the issues that need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note 
that the scoping period will close on June 13, 2008.
    This notice is being sent to affected landowners; federal, state, 
and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and 
public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested 
parties; and local libraries and newspapers. We encourage government 
representatives to notify their constituents of this planned project 
and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by an Atmos representative about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project facilities. The 
pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable 
agreement. However, if the project is approved by the FERC, 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 
state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). This fact 
sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the 
use of eminent domain and how to participate in the FERC's proceedings.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Atmos proposes to develop a natural gas storage facility within the 
Fort Necessity salt dome near Winnsboro, Franklin Parish, Louisiana. 
The proposed storage design would have the capacity to store 15 Bcf of 
working gas and 9.75 Bcf of cushion gas, an average daily injection 
rate of 375 MMscfd, a maximum daily injection rate of 500 MMscfd, and a 
maximum daily withdrawal rate of 750 MMscfd. Project facilities would 
also include interconnections to existing interstate natural gas 
transmission systems. The proposed project includes:
     A new natural gas storage facility consisting of three 7.1 
million barrel, or 8.25 billion cubic feet (Bcf), each with a cavern 
well and well pad;
     A 42,300 horsepower (hp) compressor station consisting of 
nine 4,700 hp reciprocating compressors (five would be driven by 
electric motors and four would be driven by natural gas motors with 
emission controls), and ancillary facilities;
     And electric substation;
     A dehydration facility rated for 500 million standard 
cubic feet per day (MMscfd);
     A leaching plant with associated pumps, tanks, and piping;
     About 0.02 mile of 24-inch-diameter interconnecting gas 
pipeline and a metering station to tie into an existing 30-inch-
diameter Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) pipeline;
     About 0.9 mile of 36-inch-diameter interconnecting gas 
pipeline and a metering station to tie into the existing 30- and 36-
inch-diameter Columbia Gulf Transmission (CGT) pipelines;
     About 6.5 miles of 30-inch-diameter interconnecting gas 
pipeline and a metering station to tie into the existing 30- and 36-
inch-diameter ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) pipeline;

[[Page 29497]]

     About 0.9 mile of gas pipeline from the compressor station 
to the three cavern wells (about 0.1 mile of 24-inch-diameter pipeline 
and about 0.8 mile of 30-inch-diameter pipeline);
     About 0.3 mile of 2-inch-diameter instrument air pipeline 
from the leaching plant to the three solution-mining wells;
     About 0.3 mile of 2-inch-diameter diesel injection 
pipeline from the leaching plant to the three solution-mining wells;
     Four water supply wells and well pads;
     About 0.4 mile of water supply pipeline from the water 
supply wells to the leaching plant including about 0.1 mile of 10-inch-
diameter pipeline, 0.2 mile of 12-inch-diameter, and 0.1 mile of 20-
inch-diameter pipeline;
     About 0.3 mile of 20-inch-diameter pipeline to return 
brine from the solution-mining wells to the leaching plant;
     Four or five brine disposal wells;
     About 2.2 miles of brine disposal pipeline from the 
leaching plant to the brine disposal wells including about 1.4 miles of 
16-inch-diameter , 0.2 mile of 12-inch-diameter, and 0.6 mile of 8-
inch-diameter pipeline;
     Appurtenant facilities including delivery piping, line 
heaters, pressure vessels, and valves; and
     About 5.5 miles of access roads, 1.8 miles of which would 
be new roads.
    Atmos states that the project would provide new storage capacity 
for interstate commerce. It would interconnect with the existing 
interstate pipelines operated by TGP, CGT, and ANR. Atmos proposes 
beginning construction in 2009 and to have Cavern No. 1 in service by 
2011, Cavern No. 2 in service by 2013, and Cavern No. 3 in service by 
2015.
    The general location of the proposed pipeline and associated 
facilities are shown in the figure included as Appendix 1.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices, other 
than Appendix 1 (maps), are available on the Commission's Web site 
at the ``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference 
Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 
502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the 
Public Participation section of this notice. Copies of the 
appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail. 
Requests for detailed maps of the proposed facilities should be made 
directly to Atmos.
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    Nonjurisdictional Facilities
    In addition to the facilities proposed by Atmos, the proposed 
project has associated facilities that do not come under the 
jurisdiction of the Commission. The local electricity provider, Entergy 
Corporation, would construct an electric power line to Atmos's proposed 
electric substation. We \2\ have determined that these 
nonjurisdictional facilities will be addressed in the EA.
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    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    As proposed, construction of the project would require about 168.6 
acres. Of this total, about 30.6 acres would be required permanently 
for aboveground facilities (including the compressor station, leaching 
plant, meter stations, wells, and electrical substation), and 5.6 acres 
would be required for permanent access roads. Atmos would construct the 
storage facilities within three parcels of land: a 254-acre parcel 
Atmos would own and two parcels totaling about 989 acres that are 
privately owned.
    Atmos would use a 100-foot-wide construction right-of-way to 
construct the proposed 24-inch-diameter TGP interconnect gas pipeline, 
the 36-inch-diameter CGT interconnect gas pipeline, and the 30-inch-
diameter ANR interconnect gas pipeline. The permanent right-of-way 
width for these pipelines would be 50 feet. Atmos would require about 
78.7 acres to construct these facilities and would require about 39.4 
acres for their operation. Atmos would use a common 125-foot-wide 
right-of-way for the access roads and pipelines to each of the three 
cavern storage wells. The pipeline from the water supply wells to the 
leaching plant, and the cavern gas pipeline between the compressor 
station and the leaching plant would require a common 125-foot-wide 
construction right-of-way and a 75-foot-wide easement for operation. 
The brine pipelines would require a 75-foot-wide construction right-of-
way and a 50-foot-wide operational easement. About 4.4 acres of 
additional temporary workspace would be required at the crossings of 
roads, waterbodies, and wetlands. At this time, Atmos has identified 
one 1.3-acre area within the storage field that it would use for 
construction staging.
    Based on preliminary information, construction of the proposed 
project facilities would affect a total of about 168.6 acres of land 
(including construction right-of-ways and aboveground facilities). This 
does not include land that would be disturbed by lay down areas, which 
is still being determined. Following construction, about 67.2 acres 
would be maintained as permanent right-of-way, about 30.6 acres of land 
would be maintained as new aboveground facility sites, and about 5.6 
acres would be used for access roads. The remaining 56.2 acres of 
temporary construction rights-of-way and any other additional areas 
required for extra workspaces, pipe storage or contractor yards would 
be restored and allowed to revert to its former use.
    After the storage caverns are developed, Atmos anticipates that it 
would abandon the leaching plant, water supply wells, brine disposal 
wells, and related water and brine pipelines. Atmos would file an 
application with the FERC to abandon these facilities when appropriate.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action when it considers whether or not an interstate 
natural gas pipeline should be approved. The FERC will use the EA to 
consider the environmental impact that could result if Atmos's project 
is authorized under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also 
requires us to discover and address concerns the public may have about 
proposals to be considered by the Commission. This process is referred 
to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the 
analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. With this 
Notice of Intent, the Commission staff is requesting public comments on 
the scope of the issues to be addressed in the EA. All comments 
received will be considered during preparation of the EA.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in the EA. 
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed project or 
portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on affected resources.
    The EA will be mailed to federal, state, and local government 
agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; 
Native American tribes; affected landowners; commentors; other 
interested parties; local libraries and newspapers; and the FERC's 
official service list for this proceeding. To ensure that your comments 
are considered, please follow the instructions in the Public 
Participation section of this notice.
    Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC staff has 
already initiated its NEPA review under its Pre-filing Process. The 
purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage the early involvement 
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an 
application is filed with the FERC.

[[Page 29498]]

    With this notice, we are asking federal, state, and local 
governmental agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with 
respect to environmental issues, to express their interest in becoming 
cooperating agencies for the preparation of the EA. These agencies may 
choose to participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to 
their responsibilities. Agencies that would like to request cooperating 
status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided 
below (see Public Participation).

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already 
identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a 
preliminary review of the project site and the facility information 
provided by Atmos. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based 
on your comments and our analysis.
     Potential impacts due to construction of the storage 
caverns by salt leaching.
     Temporary and permanent impacts on wetlands and 
development of appropriate mitigation.
     Native American and tribal concerns.
     Potential impacts to fish and wildlife habitat, including 
waterbird nesting areas and migrating birds.
     Potential effect on federally and state-listed species.
     Potential impacts to existing land uses.
     Potential visual effects of the aboveground facilities on 
surrounding areas.
     Potential impacts and potential benefits of construction 
workforce on local housing, infrastructure, public services, and 
economy.
     Potential impacts to local air and noise quality 
associated with construction and operation.
     Alternative alignments for the pipeline routes and 
alternative sites for the aboveground facilities.
     Public safety and potential hazards associated with the 
transport of natural gas and the proposed compressor facilities.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the proposed project. By becoming a 
commentor, your concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by 
the Commission. Your comments should focus on the potential 
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives (including alternative 
facility sites and pipeline routes), and measures to avoid or lessen 
environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful 
they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly 
recorded, please carefully follow these instructions:
     Send an original and two copies of your letter to: 
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
     Label one copy of your comments for the attention of Gas 
Branch 2.
     Reference Docket No. PF08-10-000 on the original and both 
copies.
     Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before June 13, 2008.
    Please note that the Commission strongly encourages electronic 
filing of any comments or interventions or protests to this proceeding. 
See 18 Code of Federal Regulations 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the 
instructions on the Commission's Internet Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to ``Documents and Filings'' and 
``eFiling.'' eFiling is a file attachment process and requires that you 
prepare your submission in the same manner as you would if filing on 
paper, and save it to a file on your hard drive. New eFiling users must 
first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or ``eRegister.'' 
You will be asked to select the type of filing you are making. This 
filing is considered a ``Comment on Filing.'' In addition, there is a 
``Quick Comment'' option available, which is an easy method for 
interested persons to submit text only comments on a project. The 
Quick-Comment User Guide can be viewed at http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/quick-comment-guide.pdf. Quick Comment does not require 
a FERC eRegistration account; however, you will be asked to provide a 
valid e-mail address. All comments submitted under either eFiling or 
the Quick Comment option are placed in the public record for the 
specified docket or project number(s).
    Once Atmos formally files its application with the Commission, you 
may want to become an official party to the proceeding known as an 
``intervenor.'' Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and 
are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts 
if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor 
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to 
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the 
User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the Commission's web site. 
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time. 
You must wait until a formal application is filed with the Commission.

Environmental Mailing List

    An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the proposed project. This includes all landowners who are 
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily 
for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the 
Commission's regulations of certain aboveground facilities.
    If you received this notice, you are on the environmental mailing 
list for this project. If you do not want to send comments at this 
time, but still want to remain on our mailing list, please return the 
Information Request (Appendix 3). If you do not return the Information 
Request, you will be removed from the Commission's environmental 
mailing list.

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC (3372) or on 
the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the ``eLibrary 
link.'' Click on the eLibrary link, select ``General Search'' and enter 
the project docket number excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF06-
21) in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an 
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online 
Support at [email protected] or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, 
or TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet 
Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued 
by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
    In addition, the FERC now offers a free service called 
eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and 
submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you 
spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. To register for this service, go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Site visits will be posted on the Commission's calendar located at

[[Page 29499]]

http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other 
related information.
    Finally, Atmos has established an Internet Web site for this 
project at www.atmosenergy.com/fortnecessity. The Web site includes a 
description of the project, a map of the proposed storage facility and 
pipeline routes, and answers to frequently asked questions. You can 
also request additional information or provide comments directly to 
Atmos at 1-(888) 877-4006 or [email protected].

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-11331 Filed 5-20-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P