[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 157 (Wednesday, August 13, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47149-47151]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-18727]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF08-13-000]


Southern Natural Gas Company; Supplemental Notice of Intent To 
Prepare An Environmental Assessment for the South System Expansion III 
Project and Request for Comments On Environmental Issues

August 7, 2008.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) issued on May 16, 2008, a Notice of Intent to Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment (NOI) \1\ for the related natural gas pipeline 
projects proposed by Southern Natural Gas Company (SNG) for the South 
System Expansion III Project (SSEIII Project), Docket No. PF08-13-000; 
and by Southeast Supply Header, LLC (SESH) for the Joint Pipeline 
Expansion Phase II Project (JPE Phase II Project), Docket No. PF08-16-
000. In documents filed July 31, 2008, SNG informed that it has 
modified the SSEIII Project by adding additional pipeline facilities in 
four areas, by changing the proposed facility constructed in one area, 
and by modifying the timeframe for construction of one facility, as 
described below. These modifications were made as a result of the 
changes in the transportation service requirements of SNG's customer, 
Georgia Power Company (Georgia Power). This supplemental NOI is being 
issued to notify the public about the modification to the SSEII Project 
and to request comments about the proposed modified facilities only. 
Please note that the scoping period for this supplemental NOI will 
close on September 8, 2008.
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    \1\ The May 16, 2008 NOI for the projects as originally proposed 
is included in this supplemental NOI as an attachment. It may also 
be accessed via the FERC's eLibrary. Instructions about using 
eLibrary are included in this document on page 7.
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    The staff of the FERC will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) 
that will address the environmental impacts of the SSEIII Project 
proposed by SNG and the JPE Phase II Project proposed by SESH; together 
they are referred to as ``the projects''. 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 \2\ 
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.
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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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    Details on how to submit written comments are provided in the 
Public Participation section of this notice.
    If you are a landowner receiving this supplemental NOI, you may be 
contacted by a pipeline company 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 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.
    This supplemental NOI 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 where the 
modified facilities are proposed. We encourage government 
representatives to notify their constituents of this planned project 
and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    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

    The original SSEIII Project and the JPE Phase II Project 
descriptions are in the May 16, 2008 NOI and will not be repeated in 
this Supplemental NOI. Only the modified facilities proposed by SNG are 
described herein.
    SNG proposes to construct, own, operate, and maintain certain 
natural gas transportation facilities within the states of Georgia, 
Alabama, and Mississippi for the SSEIII Project. The general locations 
of the proposed pipeline and compression facilities are shown in the 
figure included as Appendix 1,\3\ and the modified and

[[Page 47150]]

additional facilities for which this supplemental NOI is being issued, 
are identified in the red boxes. The purpose of the projects is to 
provide natural gas transportation service to Georgia Power's existing 
Plant McDonough. Georgia Power is converting the Plant McDonough 
electric generation from coal-fueled to natural gas-fueled. The SSEIII 
Project would increase pipeline capacity on SNG's existing system to 
serve Georgia Power, and SESH's proposed JPE Phase II Project would 
provide the required additional upstream transportation capacity.
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    \3\ 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 SNG or SESH.
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SSEIII Project

    SNG proposes to construct the SSEIII Project in three phases. In 
addition to the listed facilities, SNG would install a cathodic 
protection system to mitigate pipeline corrosion, an AC mitigation 
system where the pipeline would be near high voltage power lines, ten 
pig launchers or receivers, and four mainline valves.
    Phase I would be constructed entirely within the state of Georgia. 
SNG has proposed no changes to the Phase I facilities or to the timing 
of construction of the Phase I facilities. Refer to the May 16, 2008 
NOI for their description.
    Phase II facilities would be constructed within the state of 
Mississippi and Alabama. SNG has not proposed changes to the timing of 
construction of the Phase II facilities. However, it has proposed 
additional pipeline construction which is described below. Refer to the 
May 16, 2008 NOI for the description of the original facilities.
     The South Main Third Loop Line (Gwinville Loop): An 
additional 4.75 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop constructed 
adjacent to SNG's existing South Main System in Jefferson Davis and 
Simpson Counties, Mississippi, bringing the total length of the 
Gwinville Loop to about 14.3 miles (MPs 0.0 to 14.3).\4\ The Gwinville 
Loop would extend eastward from SNG's existing Gwinville Compressor 
Station (MP 0.0) towards the existing Bay Springs Compressor Station.
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    \4\ The originally proposed length of the Gwinville Loop was 9.5 
miles.
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     The South Main Third Loop Line (Enterprise Loop): an 
additional 4.9 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop constructed 
adjacent to SNG's existing 30-, 24-, and 18-inch-diameter pipelines in 
Lauderdale County, Mississippi, and Choctaw and Sumter Counties, 
Alabama, bringing the total length of the Enterprise Loop to about 7.7 
miles (MPs 89.6 to 97.5).\5\ The Enterprise Loop would be constructed 
between SNG's existing Enterprise and York Compressor Stations. The 
Enterprise Loop was originally proposed as a Phase III facility, but 
SNG now proposes to construct it during Phase II due to the modified 
requirements of Georgia Power.
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    \5\ The originally proposed length of the Enterprise Loop was 
2.8 miles.
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    Phase III facilities would be constructed in the States of 
Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. SNG has not proposed changes to 
facilities in the State of Georgia or to the timing of construction of 
the Phase III facilities. However, it has proposed additional or 
modified Phase III facilities in the States of Mississippi and Alabama 
which are described below. Refer to the May 16, 2008 NOI for the 
description of the original facilities.
     The South Main Third Loop Line (Bay Springs Loop): A new 
2.4-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop between the existing Bay 
Springs and Enterprise Compressor Stations constructed adjacent to 
SNG's existing 30-, 24-, and 18-inch-diameter pipelines in Clarke 
County, Mississippi (MPs 64.8 to 67.2).
     The South Main Fourth Loop Line (Gallion Loop): An 
additional 3.25 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop constructed 
adjacent to SNG's existing 30-, 24-, and dual 18-inch-diameter 
pipelines in Hale and Perry Counties, Alabama, bringing the total 
length of the Gallion Loop to about 9.75 miles (MPs 149.9 to 159.7).\6\ 
The Gallion Loop would be constructed between SNG's existing Gallion 
and Selma Compressor Stations.
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    \6\ The originally proposed length of the Gallion Loop was 6.5 
miles.
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     The South Main Replacement (Elmore Replacement): Rather 
than constructing a pipeline loop along this segment of the SSEIII 
Project, SNG now proposes to replace 11.7 miles of 16-inch-diameter 
pipeline with 42-inch-diameter pipeline in Elmore County, Alabama (MPs 
221.6 to 233.3). The Elmore Replacement would be constructed between 
SNG's existing Elmore and Auburn Compressor Stations and would be 
adjacent to SNG's existing 30-, 24-, and 18-inch-diameter pipelines.

Land Requirements for Construction

SSEIII Project

    The typical construction right-of-way width for the SSEIII Project 
pipelines would vary between 90 and 100 feet. The majority of this 
construction right-of-way, however, would overlap the existing 
permanent rights-of-way of the adjacent pipelines. Therefore, between 
zero and 55 feet of additional temporary right-of-way width would be 
required for construction. The typical construction right-of-way width 
through wetlands would be reduced to 75 feet. Following construction, 
SNG would retain between zero and 25 feet of additional permanent 
right-of-way for operation.\7\
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    \7\ Refer to the May 16, 2008 NOI for information about 
construction and operation of proposed aboveground facilities. SNG's 
facilities modified in its July 31, 2008 filing do not include any 
changes to proposed aboveground facilities.
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    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, for topsoil segregation, and for pipe, 
equipment, and contractor yards. SNG 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.
    Based on preliminary information, construction of all of SNG's 
proposed project facilities would require about 984.0 acres including a 
proposed meter station. Operation of the SSEIII Project would require 
about 57.1 acres as permanent right-of-way that would be restored as 
open or industrial land where aboveground facilities would be operated. 
The remaining 926.9 acres of temporary workspaces would be restored and 
would return to previous land use. These totals do not include the 
temporary land requirements for access roads or contractor, pipe, or 
equipment yards.\8\
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    \8\ The original project would have required about 867.5 acres 
for construction and about 45.4 acres operation as permanent right-
of-way.
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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

[[Page 47151]]

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.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about SSEIII 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 September 
8, 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, PF08-13-000, with your submission. 
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.
    We might mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in 
receiving it, please return the Information Request (Appendix 2). 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 (i.e., PF06-
1) 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.
    SNG has established an Internet Web site for the SSEIII Project at 
http://www.elpaso.com/sse3/default.shtm. The Web site includes a 
description of the project, a map of the proposed pipeline route, and 
contact information. You may also use SNG's toll-free telephone number, 
1-800-622-4481 to ask questions about the SSEIII Project.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-18727 Filed 8-12-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P