[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 1, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 54371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-19250]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP20-493-000]


Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the East 300 Upgrade Project

    On June 30, 2020, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. 
(Tennessee) filed an application in Docket No. CP20-493-000 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 in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The proposed 
project is known as the East 300 Upgrade Project (Project), and 
consists of modifying two existing compressor stations and constructing 
one new compressor station to create 115 million cubic feet per day of 
firm transportation capacity on Tennessee's existing 300 Line.
    On July 15, 2020, 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 February 8, 2021
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline May 9, 2021

    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

    On its existing 300 Line, Tennessee proposes to construct: One 
11,107 horsepower turbine and compressor building at its existing 
Compressor Station 321 in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania; one 20,500 
horsepower turbine and compressor building at its existing Compressor 
Station 325 in Sussex County, New Jersey; one new compressor station 
(``Compressor Station 327'') equipped with one 19,000 horsepower 
electric motor-driven compressor unit in the Township of West Milford 
in Passaic County, New Jersey; and associated auxiliary facilities and 
appurtenances.

Background

    On August 13, 2020, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed East 300 Upgrade 
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. The Commission received comments from Consolidated 
Edison Company of New York, Inc., the Township of West Milford, Food 
and Water Watch, and Sustainable West Milford. The primary issues 
raised by the commentors relate to: Water quality impacts on 
groundwater, streams, and the Monksville and Wanaque Reservoirs; air 
quality and noise; hydraulic fracturing impacts; climate change impacts 
from upstream, downstream, and indirect greenhouse gas emissions; 
safety; the need for clean energy alternatives; and general ``impact 
upon the residents of West Milford.'' All substantive comments 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 https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
    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., CP20-493), 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 
provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: August 26, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-19250 Filed 8-31-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P