[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2731-2732]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-00626]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP20-16-000]


Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Westbrook Xpress Project

    On November 18, 2019, Portland Natural Gas Transmission System 
(PNGTS) filed an application in Docket No. CP20-16-000 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 Westbrook 
XPress Project (Project), and would provide about 131 million standard 
cubic feet of natural gas per day to New England using TransCanada 
PipeLines Limited's Canadian Mainline and Trans-Quebec & Maritimes 
Pipeline to access North American supply basins.
    On December 2, 2019, 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--April 2, 2020
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--July 1, 2020

    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 Westbrook XPress Project would consist of the following 
facilities, all of which are proposed in Cumberland County, Maine:
     Installation of one new 15,900 horsepower natural gas 
fired turbine compressor unit and appurtenant facilities in a 
greenfield expansion area approximately 1,500 feet southwest of the 
currently developed Westbrook Compressor Station;
     about 1,500 feet of 30-inch-diameter suction and discharge 
lines to connect the greenfield expansion area to the existing station; 
and
     modifications at the existing Westbrook Metering and 
Regulating Station 30006, including replacement of existing piping, 
replacement of existing filter separator, building modifications, and 
appurtenant facilities.

Background

    On December 12, 2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Westbrook XPress 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI 
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. All substantive comments received in response to the 
NOI will be addressed in 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 website (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., 
CP20-16), 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 
website also

[[Page 2732]]

provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: January 8, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-00626 Filed 1-15-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P