[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8706-8709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-04318]



[[Page 8706]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. PF17-10-000 and PF19-1-000]


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the 
Planned FM100 Project and Leidy South Project, Request for Comments on 
Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Session: National 
Fuel Gas Supply Company and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC

    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 FM100 Project involving 
construction, operation, and abandonment of facilities by National Fuel 
Gas Supply Corporation (National Fuel) in Cameron, Clearfield, Clinton, 
Elk, McKean, and Potter Counties, Pennsylvania; and the Leidy South 
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by 
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco), in Clinton, 
Columbia, Lycoming, Luzerne, Schuylkill, and Wyoming Counties, 
Pennsylvania. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-making 
process to determine whether the FM100 Project and Leidy South Project 
(collectively referred to as ``the projects'') are in the public 
convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies about issues regarding the projects. The National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into 
account the environmental impacts that could result from its action 
whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public 
Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to 
discover concerns the public may have about proposals. 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, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of 
issues to address in the EA. To ensure that your comments are timely 
and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the 
Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 p.m. 
Eastern Time on April 4, 2019.
    You can make a difference by submitting your specific comments or 
concerns about the projects. Your comments should focus on the 
potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures 
to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the 
Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. 
Commission staff will consider all filed comments during the 
preparation of the EA.
    If you sent comments on these projects to the Commission before the 
opening of their respective dockets (i.e., September 14, 2017, for the 
FM100 Project and November 5, 2018, for the Leidy South Project), you 
will need to file those comments in Docket Nos. PF17-10-000 for the 
FM100 Project or PF19-1-000 for the Leidy South Project to ensure they 
are considered as part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for these projects. State and local government 
representatives should notify their constituents of these planned 
projects and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities, or to abandon 
existing facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually 
acceptable easement agreement. You are not required to enter into an 
agreement. However, if the Commission approves the projects, that 
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if you 
and the company do not reach an easement agreement, the pipeline 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in court. In such 
instances, compensation would be determined by a judge 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 website (www.ferc.gov) at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/gas/gas.pdf. 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.

Public Participation

    The Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which 
makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals 
regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These instant 
email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and 
provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of 
time you spend researching proceedings. To sign up go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected]. Please carefully follow these 
instructions so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to Documents and Filings. Using eComment is an easy 
method for submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to Documents and Filings. With eFiling, you can provide 
comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your 
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking 
on 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 can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address. Be sure to reference the projects docket numbers 
(PF17-10-000 for the FM100 Project; PF19-1-000 for the Leidy South 
Project) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, 
DC 20426.
    (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you 
to attend one of the public scoping sessions its staff will conduct in 
the projects' area, scheduled as follows:

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            Date and time                           Location
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Monday, March 18, 2019, 5:00-7:30 p.m  Dallas Middle School, 2020
                                        Conyngham Avenue, Dallas, PA
                                        18612, 570-674-7222.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019, 5:00-7:30     Tri-Valley High School, 155 East
 p.m.                                   Main Street, Heggins, PA 17938,
                                        570-682-3125.

[[Page 8707]]

 
Wednesday, March 20, 2019, 5:00-7:30   Port Allegany High School, 20 Oak
 p.m.                                   Street, Port Allegany, PA 16743,
                                        814-642-2544.
Thursday, March 21, 2019, 5:00-7:30    Bucktail Area High School, 1300
 p.m.                                   Bucktail Avenue, Renovo, PA
                                        17764, 570-923-1166.
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    The primary goal of these scoping sessions is to have you identify 
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be 
considered in the EA. Individual verbal comments will be taken on a 
one-on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is designed to 
receive the maximum amount of verbal comments, in a convenient way 
during the timeframe allotted.
    Each scoping session is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. 
eastern daylight time. You may arrive at any time after 5:00 p.m. There 
will not be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the session 
opens. If you wish to speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers 
in the order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until 7:30 p.m. 
However, if no additional numbers have been handed out and all 
individuals who wish to provide comments have had an opportunity to do 
so, staff may conclude the session at 7:00 p.m. Please see appendix 1 
for additional information on the session format and conduct.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at 
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary'' 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.
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    Your scoping comments will be recorded by a court reporter (with 
FERC staff or representative present) and become part of the public 
record for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on 
FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page of this notice for 
instructions on using eLibrary). If a significant number of people are 
interested in providing verbal comments in the one-on-one settings, a 
time limit of 3 minutes may be implemented for each commentor.
    It is important to note that the Commission provides equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided verbally at a scoping session. Although there will not be a 
formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout the 
scoping session to answer your questions about the environmental review 
process. Representatives from Transco and National Fuel will also be 
present to answer project-specific questions.

Summary of the Planned Projects

    National Fuel and Transco are planning to construct and operate 
interdependent natural gas infrastructure projects. The FM100 Project 
would modernize a portion of National Fuel's existing pipeline system 
and create 330,000 Dth/day of incremental transportation capacity. This 
additional transportation capacity is fully subscribed to Transco under 
a proposed capacity lease which would provide gas supply from the 
Marcellus and Utica Shale production areas of Pennsylvania to Transco's 
Leidy South Project. The Leidy South Project would provide 582,400 Dth/
d of incremental firm transportation capacity to Transco's River Road 
regulating station in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
    The FM100 Project would consist of the following facilities, all in 
Pennsylvania:
     Installation of 29.5 miles of new 20-inch-diameter 
pipeline (Line YM58) in McKean and Potter Counties;
     installation of approximately 1.4 miles of 24-inch-
diameter pipeline loop \2\ (YM224 Loop) in Potter County;
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    \2\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to 
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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     installation of 0.4 mile of 12-inch-diameter pipeline 
(Line KL Extension) in McKean County;
     installation of the new Marvindale Compressor Station (up 
to 15,165 horsepower [hp]) in McKean County;
     installation of the new Tamarack Compressor Station (up to 
22,220 hp) in Clinton County;
     abandonment in place of approximately 50.0 miles of 12-
inch-diameter pipeline (Line FM100) and appurtenances in Clearfield, 
Elk, and Potter Counties;
     abandonment by removal of the existing Costello Compressor 
Station in Potter County;
     abandonment by removal of the existing Station WHP-MS-
4317X in Potter County;
     installation of the Marvindale Interconnect in McKean 
County;
     installation of the Carpenter Hollow over-pressurization 
protection Station in Potter County; and
     installation of associated facilities such as mainline 
valves and other appurtenant facilities.
    The Leidy South Project would consist of the following facilities, 
all in Pennsylvania:
     Installation of approximately 3.6 miles of 42-inch-
diameter pipeline loop (Benton Loop) in Lycoming County;
     installation of approximately 2.5 miles of 36-inch-
diameter pipeline loop (Hilltop Loop) in Clinton County;
     replacement of approximately 6.1 miles of existing 23.375-
inch-diameter pipeline with 36-inch-diameter pipeline (Hensel 
Replacement) in Clinton County;
     installation of a new Compressor Station 607 (up to 46,930 
hp) in Luzerne County;
     installation of a new Compressor Station 620 (up to 31,871 
hp) in Schuylkill County;
     uprate of two electric motor-driven compressors (up to an 
additional 12,000 hp total) at the existing Compressor Station 605 in 
Wyoming County;
     installation of one new gas turbine driven compressor unit 
(up to 31,871 hp) and cooling unit, and the uprating and re-wheeling of 
two existing electric motor driven compressors (up to an additional 
2,000 hp total) at the existing Compressor Station 610 in Columbia 
County; and
     installation of associated facilities such as mainline 
valves, communication facilities, and pig \3\ launchers and receivers.
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    \3\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into 
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline, 
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
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    The general locations of the projects' facilities are shown in 
appendix 2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned FM100 Project facilities would disturb 
approximately 540.0 acres of land for the aboveground facilities, 
construction of the pipelines, and the abandonment of Line FM100 and 
aboveground facilities. Following construction, National Fuel would 
maintain approximately 300.0 acres for permanent operation of the 
project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and 
revert to former uses. The majority of the planned pipeline routes 
parallel existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-way.
    Construction of the planned Leidy South Project facilities would 
disturb about 459.0 acres of land for construction of the aboveground 
and pipeline facilities. Following construction, Transco would maintain

[[Page 8708]]

about 75.4 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; 
the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. The 
majority of the planned pipeline routes parallel existing pipeline, 
utility, or road rights-of-way.

The EA Process

    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the planned projects under these general 
headings:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     socioeconomics;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts.
    Commission staff will also evaluate possible alternatives to the 
planned projects or portions of the projects, and make recommendations 
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Although no formal applications have been filed, Commission staff 
has already initiated a NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing 
process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early 
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve 
issues before the Commission receives an application. As part of the 
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state 
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the 
preparation of the EA.
    The EA will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the 
issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public 
record through eLibrary \4\ and the Commission's website (https://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis.asp). If eSubscribed, you will 
receive instant email notification when the EA is issued. The EA may be 
issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff will 
consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to the 
Commission. To ensure Commission staff has the opportunity to consider 
and address your comments, please carefully follow the instructions in 
the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2.
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    \4\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues related to these projects to formally cooperate in 
the preparation of the EA.\5\ Agencies that would like to request 
cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing 
comments provided under the Public Participation section of this 
notice. Currently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has expressed their intention to 
participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA to 
satisfy their NEPA responsibilities related to these projects.
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    \5\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office, 
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, 
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the projects' potential 
effects on historic properties.\6\ The EA for the planned projects will 
document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and 
summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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    \6\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those 
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
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Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    Commission staff has already identified several issues that deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and 
the environmental information provided by Transco and National Fuel. 
This preliminary list of issues may change based on your comments and 
our analysis.
     Water resources and wetlands;
     construction in areas of steep slopes;
     forested land;
     residences;
     agricultural land;
     air quality;
     alternative new compressor station sites and 
configurations; and
     noise.

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for project purposes, who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, or landowners who are 
affected by abandonments, and anyone who submits comments on the 
projects. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list 
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to 
this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, 
and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by 
the planned projects.
    If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment 
period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the 
environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the 
electronic document on the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov). If you need 
to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove 
your name from the mailing list, please return the attached Mailing 
List Update Form (appendix 3).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once National Fuel and Transco file their applications with the 
Commission, you may want to become an intervenor, which is an official 
party to the Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right 
to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision and be heard by the 
courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An 
intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request 
to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully 
described at http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. 
Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor 
status at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a 
formal application for the projects, after which the Commission will 
issue a public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.

[[Page 8709]]

Additional Information

    Additional information about the projects are available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number(s) 
in the Docket Number field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
PF17-10 for the FM100 Project; PF19-1 for the Leidy South Project). Be 
sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, 
please contact FERC Online Support at [email protected] or 
toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The 
eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all formal documents 
issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along 
with other related information.

    Dated: March 5, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-04318 Filed 3-8-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P