[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 213 (Monday, November 3, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65303-65305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26081]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF08-29-000]


Mississippi Hub, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed MS HUB Expansion Project, 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Site 
Visit

October 27, 2008.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the proposed MS HUB Expansion 
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by 
Mississippi Hub, LLC (MS HUB) in Simpson, Jefferson Davis and Covington 
Counties, Mississippi. The EA will be used by the Commission in its 
decision-making process to determine whether or not to authorize the 
project under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
    This notice explains the scoping process we \1\ will use to gather 
environmental input from the public and interested agencies, and 
summarizes the project review process for the FERC. Your input will 
help determine which issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Details on 
how to submit comments during the scoping period are provided in the 
Public Participation section of this notice. Please note that the 
scoping period will close on December 3, 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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    This notice is being sent to potentially 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. State and local 
government representatives are asked 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 MS HUB company representative about survey permission and/or the 
acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the 
proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually 
acceptable agreement. However, if the project is approved by the 
Commission, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. 
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the 
natural gas 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 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 Commission's proceedings.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    MS HUB proposes to expand the working gas capacity of its currently 
authorized salt dome natural gas storage facility in Mississippi from 
12 billion standard cubic feet (Bcf) to 15 Bcf and construct two new 
natural gas pipelines in an extension of its South Pipeline Corridor. 
Specifically, MS HUB seeks authority to construct and operate:
     Two solution-mined salt dome caverns, expanded from a 
working gas capacity of 6.0 Bcf to 7.5 Bcf each;
     Approximately 14.2 miles of 24-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline, extending from the gas storage facility to an interconnect 
with the Southeast Supply Header (SESH) pipeline;
     Approximately 22.6 miles of 30-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline, extending from the gas storage facility to an interconnect 
with a Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line (Transco) pipeline;
     Aboveground tie-in and metering facilities at each 
interconnect site;
     Associated access roads; and
     An additional 15,800 horsepower (hp) of compression at the 
gas storage site.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in 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 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 last page of this notice. Copies 
of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in 
the mail.
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    Construction of the proposed facilities would require approximately 
340 acres of land. Following construction, approximately 136 acres 
would be maintained as new pipeline right-of-way and aboveground 
facility sites. The remaining acreage would be restored and allowed to 
revert to its former use. If approved, MS HUB proposes to begin 
construction of the project in August 2009.

The EA Process

    We are preparing an EA to comply with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) which requires the Commission to take into 
account the environmental impact that could result if it authorizes MS 
HUB's proposal. NEPA also requires us to discover and address the 
public's concerns about proposals that require federal authorizations. 
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.
    By this notice, we are 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. We are also 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. Agencies that would like to request 
cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments 
provided below.
    Although no formal application has been filed with the Commission, 
the FERC staff has initiated its review of the project under its NEPA 
Pre-filing Process to encourage the early involvement of stakeholders 
and to identify and resolve issues before an application is filed. The 
purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to seek public and agency input 
early in the project planning phase and encourage involvement by 
interested stakeholders in a manner that allows for the early 
identification and resolution of environmental issues. We will work 
with all interested stakeholders to identify and attempt to address 
issues before MS HUB files its application with the FERC.
    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project, under the general 
headings of geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries, 
and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; threatened 
and endangered species; air quality and noise; safety and reliability; 
and cumulative impacts. The EA will also evaluate reasonable 
alternatives to the proposed project, and make recommendations on how 
to

[[Page 65304]]

lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending 
on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be 
published and mailed to Federal, State, and local agencies; newspapers; 
libraries; interested individuals who return the Mail List Retention 
Form in Appendix 3; and the Commission's official service list for this 
proceeding. An additional comment period may be allotted for review 
when the EA is published. We will consider all comments on the EA 
before we make our recommendations to the Commission.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and 
the environmental information provided by MS HUB. This preliminary list 
of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
     Federally listed endangered or threatened species may 
occur in the proposed project area.
     Construction impacts to wetlands located in the proposed 
project area.
     Construction activities near residences and structures.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the MS HUB Expansion 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 December 3, 2008.
    For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to 
submit your written comments to the Commission. In all instances please 
reference the project docket number (PF08-29-000) with your submission. 
The three methods are:
    (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 3, 
PJ-11.3.
    The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has 
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258 
or [email protected].
    Once MS HUB formally files its application with the Commission, you 
may want to become an ``intervenor,'' which is an official party to the 
proceeding. 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. 
MS HUB currently plans to file its formal application in March 2009.

Public Meetings and Site Visits

    As part of the Pre-filing Process review, FERC staff will 
participate in a public open house sponsored by MS HUB in the project 
area on November 18, 2008 to explain the environmental review process 
to interested stakeholders and take comments about the project. MS HUB 
will mail out a separate invitation regarding this public open house 
event to all affected landowners and other interested parties. For 
additional information regarding the open house, please contact MS HUB 
directly at 1-866-429-5289.
    In addition, on November 19, 2008, the FERC staff will conduct a 
public site visit to view the proposed facility locations and pipeline 
route. Examination will be by automobile and on foot. Representatives 
of MS HUB will be accompanying the FERC staff. All interested parties 
may attend. Those planning to attend must provide their own 
transportation and should meet at the location and time described 
below.
    MS HUB's open house and the FERC's site visit are designed to 
provide another opportunity to offer comments on the proposed Project. 
Interested groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the meetings 
and to present comments on the environmental issues that they believe 
should be addressed in the EA. The open house and site visit are 
scheduled as follows:

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                  Date                               Location
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MS HUB Open House, Tuesday, November     M. G. Dyess Inc., 7159 Hwy 35
 18th, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (CST).         South, Bassfield, MS 39421
                                          (approximately 1 mile south of
                                          the intersection of Hwy 42 and
                                          Hwy 35; M. G. Dyess facility
                                          on west side of Hwy 35).
FERC Site Visit, Wednesday, November     Meet at 9 a.m. at the: Wal-Mart
 19th at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (CST).          Super Center, 1625 Simpson Hwy
                                          49, Magee, MS 39111.
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    For additional information, you may contact the Commission's Office 
of External Affairs at 1-866-208-FERC (3372).

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

[[Page 65305]]

of certain aboveground facilities. By this notice we are also asking 
governmental agencies, especially those in Appendix 2, to express their 
interest in becoming cooperating agencies for the preparation of the 
EA.
    We may mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in receiving 
the EA for review and/or comment, please return the Mail List Retention 
Form (Appendix 3). In addition, all individuals who provide written 
comments to the FERC will remain on our environmental mailing list for 
this project. If you do not return the Mail List Retention Form or 
provide written comments, 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 or on the 
FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the ``eLibrary'' 
link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter 
the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number 
field (e.g., PF08-29). 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 for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the 
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, 
notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called 
eSubscription which 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. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Fact sheets prepared by the FERC are also available for viewing on 
the FERC Internet Web site (www.ferc.gov), using the ``For Citizens'' 
link. The fact sheet, ``Guide to Electronic Information at FERC,'' 
provides instructions on how to stay informed and participate in the 
Commission's proceedings.
    Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx 
along with other related information.
    Finally, MS HUB will be updating its Web site at http://www.MississippiHub.com to share news and updates as the environmental 
review of its project proceeds.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-26081 Filed 10-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P