[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 91159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-30206]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-38-000; PF15-21-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Schedule For 
Environmental Review of the WB XPress Project

    On December 30, 2015, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP16-38-000 requesting a Certificate 
of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline 
facilities. The proposed project is known as the WB XPress Project 
(Project), and would expand the capacity of Columbia's existing natural 
gas pipeline system by 1.3 million dekatherms per day and provide bi-
directional transportation service in order to meet growing market 
demands.
    On January 14, 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice 
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the 
EA for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--March 24, 2017
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--June 22, 2017

    If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    The Project would involve the replacement of 26.2 miles of 
replacement pipeline and 3.1 miles of new pipeline composed of varying 
diameters, two new compressor stations (one gas and one electric), 
expansions and modifications at seven existing gas compressor stations, 
and other minor aboveground facilities in West Virginia and Virginia.

Background

    On July 22, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed WB XPress Project 
and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI was 
issued during the pre-filing review of the Project in Docket No. PF15-
21-000 and was 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. In response to the NOI, the Commission 
received comments from Virginia and West Virginia state agencies; 
Fairfax County, and five landowners. After the NOI period closed, we 
received additional comments from the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency (Region 3), U.S. Forest Service, West Virginia Department of 
Natural Resources, Town of Strasburg, Virginia, and organizations such 
as the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Southern Environmental 
Law Center, West Virginia Oil and Gas Association, Virginia Run 
Community Association, Sierra Club et al., Shenandoah Valley Network et 
al., Oil Change International et al., and 26 interested individuals. 
The primary issues raised included the need for the project; impacts on 
soils, karst geology, groundwater, waterbodies, wetlands, sensitive and 
listed species, forests, sensitive National Forest Service lands, air 
quality, climate change; and cumulative and indirect impacts. 
Alternatives, public safety, general support for the project, and the 
need for a programmatic environmental impact statement (EIS) were also 
raised.
    The U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish 
and Wildlife Service, West Virginia Department of Environmental 
Protection, and West Virginia Department of Natural Resources are 
cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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 
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the 
FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). Using the ``eLibrary'' link, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP16-38), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to 
eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-
8659, or at [email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC 
Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued 
by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: December 9, 2016.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-30206 Filed 12-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P