[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63107-63108]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22034]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP20-503-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Northern Lights 2021 Expansion Project

    On July 31, 2020, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP20-503-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity and authorization pursuant to Section 
7 of the Natural Gas Act to construct, modify, replace, and operate 
certain natural gas pipeline facilities in Minnesota. The proposed 
project is known as the Northern Lights 2021 Expansion Project 
(Project) and would provide 45,693 dekatherms per day (Dth/day) of 
incremental winter peak day firm service for residential, commercial, 
and industrial customers in Northern's Market Area.
    On August 12, 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--December 15, 2020
90-day Federal Authorization Decision--Deadline March 15, 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

    The Northern Lights 2021 Expansion Project would consist of the 
following facilities in Minnesota:
     The Willmar D Branch Line Extension (about 0.8 mile of 24-
inch-diameter pipeline) in Dakota and Scott counties;
     the Carlton Interconnect Loop (about 0.7 mile of 24-inch-
diameter pipeline) in Carlton County;
     replacement of 425 feet of 8-inch-diameter pipeline on the 
Viking Interconnect Branch Line with a 12-inch-diameter branch line of 
the same length, in Morrison County;
     a new greenfield natural gas-fired Hinckley Compressor 
Station in Pine County, which would include one 11,153-horsepower 
natural gas-fired turbine, one gas heating skid, and one natural gas-
fired backup electric generator;
     modification of the Pierz Compressor Station in Morrison 
County, including a 1,100 horsepower electric motor-driven compressor 
unit; and
     appurtenant facilities including one new pig \1\ receiver 
and one new pig

[[Page 63108]]

launcher, and associated piping and valves.
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    \1\ 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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Background

    On July 9, 2020, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Northern Lights 
2021 Expansion Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues 
(NOI). The NOI was issued during the pre-filing review of the Project 
in Docket No. PF20-1-000 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 the U.S. Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Minnesota 
Pollution Control Agency, City of Hinckley, International Union of 
Operating Engineers, and two landowners. The primary issues raised by 
the commentors include compressor station noise and vibration, tree 
clearing, roadway crossings, water resources and wetlands, farmland, 
and socioeconomic impacts. 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., CP20-503), 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: September 30, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-22034 Filed 10-5-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P