[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 124 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36315-36317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-14454]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF08-17-000]


Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline L.L.C.; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Maritimes Phase V 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

June 19, 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 Maritimes Phase V Project 
proposed by Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes). 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 we \1\ will use to gather environmental input from the 
public and interested agencies on the projects. Your input will help 
the Commission determine the issues that need to be evaluated in the 
EA. Please note that the scoping period will close on July 21, 2008.
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    \1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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    Details on how to submit written comments are provided in the 
Public Participation section of this notice.
    This Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for 
the Proposed Maritimes Phase V Project (NOI) is being sent to federal, 
state, and local government agencies; elected officials; affected 
landowners; environmental and public interest groups; Native American 
tribes; and 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 a pipeline company representative about the acquisition of an 
easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project 
facilities. Each pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually 
acceptable agreement for its project. However, if the projects are 
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 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

    Maritimes proposes to construct, own, operate, and maintain certain 
natural gas transportation facilities within the states of Maine and 
Massachusetts. The general locations of the proposed pipeline and 
compression facilities are shown in the figures included as Appendix 
1.\2\
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    \2\ 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 Maritimes.
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    The purpose of the project is to provide transportation service for 
gas from a new gas field (``Deep Panuke'') located offshore of Nova 
Scotia to the New England market area. The Maritimes Phase V Project 
would increase the capacity of Maritimes existing system by about 
250,000 dekatherms per day.
    Maritimes proposes to construct:
     About four miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop 
(Richmond Loop) extending south from the existing Richmond Compressor 
Station in Sagadahoc County, Maine; and
     A fenced loop terminus site at the southern end of the 
Richmond Loop which would include a pig receiver and valves.
    Maritimes would add compression and modify the following compressor 
stations in Maine:
     Baileyville Compressor Station (existing)--additional 
8,960 horsepower (HP) of compression, additional cooling, and restaging 
of existing compressor units (Washington County);
     Woodchopping Ridge Compressor Station (under 
construction)--additional 8,960 HP of compression, additional cooling, 
and restaging of existing compressor unit (Hancock County);
     Brewer Compressor Station (under construction)--additional 
8,960 HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging of existing 
compressor unit (Penobscot County);
     Searsmont Compressor Station (under construction)--
additional 8,960 HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging 
of existing compressor unit (Waldo County);
     Richmond Compressor Station (existing)--additional 8,960 
HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging of existing 
compressor units (Sagadahoc County); and
     Eliot Compressor Station (under construction)--additional 
18,085 HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging of existing 
compressor unit (York County).
    In addition, Maritimes would:
     Install additional meter and regulator runs and replace 
equipment at the existing Dracut Meter Station (Middlesex County, 
Massachusetts); and
     Uprate the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure on the 
existing 24-inch-diameter pipeline from 1,440 pounds per square inch 
gauge (psig) to 1,600 psig between the Baileyville Compressor Station 
and the Westbrook Compressor Station. This uprate would require the 
modification of the existing valves and meter stations at 23 locations 
along the existing pipeline. No ground disturbance would be required at 
18 of the locations.\3\
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    \3\ Maritimes does not expect excavation to be necessary at most 
of the uprate facilities. Maritimes has identified five locations 
that would require excavation: The Veazie Tap Valve (Penobscot 
County, Maine); the Orrington Meter Station and associated valve 
(Penobscot County, Maine); the Bowdoin Meter Station and associated 
valve (Sagadahoc County, Maine); the Lewiston Meter Station and 
associated valve (Cumberland County, Maine); and the Westbrook PNGTS 
Inlet Meter Station (Cumberland County, Maine).
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    Work at the compressor stations is proposed to begin in July 2009. 
Construction of the Richmond Loop and the other modifications are 
proposed to begin in 2010. The proposed in-service date for the Phase V 
facilities is November 1, 2010.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the Richmond Loop would disturb about 50 acres of 
land. After construction Maritimes would retain 11.9 acres as new 
permanent right-of-way.
    Generally, the width of the proposed construction right-of-way for 
the

[[Page 36316]]

Richmond Loop would be 105 feet. The construction right-of-way way 
would consist of: the 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way for the 
existing 24-inch-diameter pipeline; a new 25-foot-wide permanent right-
of-way for the loop (which would abut the existing permanent right-of-
way); and a 30-foot-wide temporary right-of-way. The construction 
right-of-way would be reduced in areas containing sensitive resources 
such as wetlands and stream banks.
    Work at the aboveground facilities (compressor stations, meter 
stations, and valves) would take place within the existing fenceline of 
the facility except for the Orrington Meter Station and the Richmond 
Compressor Station.
    Additional temporary extra workspaces beyond the typical 
construction right-of-way limits would be required at certain feature 
crossings (e.g., roads, railroads, wetlands, or waterbodies, 
utilities), in areas with steep side slopes, in association with 
special construction techniques and for topsoil segregation. Maritimes 
would access its project construction areas primarily along the 
existing pipeline right-of-way and existing roads; however, other 
access roads may be required during construction. One new permanent 
access road would access the Richmond Loop terminus site.

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 the Projects are 
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.
    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the proposed project under these 
general headings:
     Geology and soils;
     Land use;
     Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     Cultural resources;
     Vegetation and wildlife;
     Threatened and endangered species;
     Air quality and noise;
     Hazardous waste; and
     Public safety.
    In the EA, we will also evaluate possible alternatives to the 
proposed projects or portions of the projects, and make recommendations 
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
    Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC staff has 
already initiated its NEPA review under its NEPA 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.
    With this NOI, we are asking federal, state, and local agencies 
with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in the preparation 
of the EA (see Appendix 2). These agencies may choose to participate 
once they have evaluated the proposal relative to their 
responsibilities. Additional agencies that would like to request 
cooperating agency status should follow the instructions in Appendix 2 
of this NOI.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the Maritimes Phase V Project. Your comments 
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable 
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. 
The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To 
ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send 
in your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or 
before July 21, 2008.
    For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to 
submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please 
reference the project docket number PF08-17-000 with your submission. 
The docket number can be found on the front of this notice. The 
Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has dedicated 
eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258 or 
[email protected].
    (1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick 
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's internet Web site 
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick 
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only 
comments on a project;
    (2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's internet Web site at 
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling 
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if 
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard 
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. 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. A comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment on 
a Filing;'' or
    (3) You may file your comments via mail to the Commission by 
sending 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 the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 2, 
PJ11.2.

Environmental Mailing List

    We might mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in 
receiving it, please return the Mailing List Retention Form (Appendix 
3). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be taken off 
the mailing list.

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 (PF08-17) 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 website 
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

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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.
    Maritimes has also established an Internet Web site for the 
Maritimes Phase V Project at: http://www.mnpp.com/USA/new.htm. The 
Maritimes Web site includes contact information and information about 
its proposed project. You may also use Maritimes' toll free telephone 
number, 1-800-738-4880.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E8-14454 Filed 6-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P