[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44403-44404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20251]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-121-000]


National Grid LNG, LLC; Notice of Schedule for Environmental 
Review of the Fields Point Liquefaction Project

    On April 1, 2016, National Grid LNG, LLC (National Grid) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP16-121-000 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 Fields Point 
Liquefaction Project (Project), and would involve National Grid 
constructing a natural gas liquefaction facility at its existing Fields 
Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage facility in Providence, Rhode 
Island.
    On April 15, 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 30, 2018
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--June 28, 2018

    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 give National Grid's customers, Narragansett 
Electric Company (Narragansett) and Boston Gas Company, the ability to 
deliver gas in vapor form for storage in National Grid's existing 
storage tank using an existing 12-inch-diameter pipeline owned by 
Narragansett. The Project would consist of an electric powered booster 
compressor, pretreatment system, gas regeneration heater, and 
liquefaction train including heat exchangers cooled by a closed loop 
nitrogen refrigeration cycle. The Project would not change the capacity 
of the existing LNG storage tank or facility.

Background

    On September 25, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Fields Point 
Liquefaction Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and 
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting (NOI). The NOI was issued during the 
pre-filing review of the Project in Docket No. PF15-28 and was sent to 
affected landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; 
elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native 
American tribes; local businesses; other interested parties; and local 
libraries and newspapers.
    In response to the NOI, the Commission received comments from 4 
Rhode Island State Senators and Representatives, the Rhode Island 
Natural Resources Conservation Service, Rhode Island Department of 
Health, Rhode Island Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission, 
the City of Providence, 4 non-governmental organizations, and 75 
individuals. In addition, 18 businesses, individuals, and organizations 
filed for intervention, some of which also commented on

[[Page 44404]]

environmental issues. The primary issues raised by the commentors are 
safety, public health, environmental justice, and climate change.
    Existing groundwater contamination has also been identified as a 
potential issue at National Grid's LNG storage facility site. National 
Grid has submitted the necessary information to the Rhode Island 
Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM), and RIDEM has initiated 
its review of National Grid's Short Term Response Action Plan for the 
proposed Project in accordance with its Remediation Regulations. As a 
result, we are prepared to move forward with the environmental review 
of the proposed Project.
    The U.S. Department of Transportation, the Rhode Island Coastal 
Resources Management Council, and RIDEM 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., CP16-121), 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: September 15, 2017.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2017-20251 Filed 9-21-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P