[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4578-4581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01680]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-2-000]


Gas Transmission Northwest LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for The Proposed GTN Xpress Project 
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for 
Environmental Review

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of the GTN XPress Project 
(Project) involving the modification and operation of existing 
compression facilities by Gas Transmission Northwest LLC (GTN) in 
Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The Commission will use this EIS in its 
decision-making process to determine whether the Project is in the 
public convenience and necessity. The schedule for preparation of the 
EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental Review section of 
this notice.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account 
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental 
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the 
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This 
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal 
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental 
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information 
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA 
Process and the EIS section of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the 
scope of issues to address in the environmental document, including 
comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and any relevant 
information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts 
affecting the quality of the human environment.
    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.

[[Page 4579]]

Eastern Time on February 22, 2022. Further details on how to submit 
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this 
notice.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a GTN representative 
may contact you about the acquisition of workspace needed to construct, 
operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company would seek 
to negotiate a mutually acceptable acquisition agreement. You are not 
required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the Project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent 
domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach 
an acquisition 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. The 
Commission does not grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of eminent 
domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent 
domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters.
    GTN provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC 
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I 
Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including 
the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's 
proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of 
interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the Natural Gas Questions or Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three 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 FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP22-2-
000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must 
be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. 
Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly 
D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins 
Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings 
made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the 
documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register 
for eSubscription.

Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and 
Expected Impacts

    GTN proposes to modify and operate three existing compressor 
stations in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon. The Project would increase 
the capacity of GTN's existing natural gas transmission system by about 
150,000 dekatherms per day between its Kingsgate Meter Station in Idaho 
and its Malin Meter Station in Oregon. According to GTN, its Project 
would increase its ability to meet growing market demand, benefiting 
local communities, and providing operational flexibility. The Project 
would consist of the following:
     Uprating, by means of a software upgrade only, three 
existing Solar Turbine Titan 130 gas-fired, turbine compressors from 
14,300 horsepower (HP) to 23,470 HP at the existing Athol Compressor 
Station in Kootenai County, Idaho, at the existing Starbuck Compressor 
Station in Walla Walla County, Washington; and at the existing Kent 
Compressor Station in Sherman County, Oregon;
     Installing a new 23,470 HP Solar Turbine Titan 130 gas-
fired turbine compressor and associated piping, and 3 new gas cooling 
bays and associated piping; at the Starbuck Compressor Station; and
     expanding the compressor station and installing 4 new gas 
cooling bays and associated piping at the Kent Compressor Station.
    The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\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''. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At 
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's 
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National 
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), 
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact 
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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    Based on the environmental information provided by GTN, 
modifications to the existing compressor stations would require the 
disturbance of about 46.9 acres of land. GTN would maintain about 1.2 
acres of land for operation of the Project facilities; the remaining 
acreage would be restored.
    Based on an initial review of GTN's proposal, Commission staff has 
identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS. 
For example, the Project would generate additional air emissions that 
could impact air quality and the Project would increase noise levels.

The NEPA Process and the EIS

    The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could 
occur as a result of the modification and operation of the proposed 
Project under the relevant general resource areas:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help 
Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a 
significant effect on the human environment.
    The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the 
issues. Staff will prepare a draft EIS which will be issued for public 
comment. Commission staff will consider all timely comments received 
during the comment period on the draft EIS and revise the document, as 
necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any draft and final EIS will be 
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 
\2\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page 
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/

[[Page 4580]]

natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you 
will receive instant email notification when the environmental document 
is issued.
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    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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Alternatives Under Consideration

    The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically 
and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the 
proposed action.\3\ Alternatives that will be evaluated to determine if 
they are feasible and meet the purpose and need for the Project include 
the no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not implemented; 
system alternatives; natural gas compression alternatives; pipeline 
alternatives; and aboveground facility site layout alternatives.
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    \3\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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    With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments 
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action 
or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on 
reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites) that 
meet the Project objectives, are technically and economically feasible, 
and avoid or lessen environmental impact.

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 
section 106 consultation for the Project with the applicable State 
Historic Preservation Office(s), and other government agencies, 
interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their views and 
concerns regarding the Project's potential effects on historic 
properties.\4\ The Project EIS will document findings on the impacts on 
historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under 
section 106.
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    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 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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Schedule for Environmental Review

    On October 19, 2021, the Commission issued its Notice of 
Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted 
other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to 
complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the 
request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of 
issuance of the Commission staff's final EIS for the Project. This 
notice identifies the Commission staff's planned schedule for 
completion of the final EIS for the Project, which is based on an 
issuance of the draft EIS in June 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS: October 14, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline: \5\ January 12, 2023
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    \5\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other 
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally 
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal 
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed 
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the 
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a 
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.
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    If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an 
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are 
kept informed of the Project's progress.

Permits and Authorizations

    The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations 
for the Project required under federal law. This list may not be all-
inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it is 
not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special 
expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's 
EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related 
to this Project. 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.

            Table of Federal and Federally Delegated Permits
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                 Permit                               Agency
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Certificate of Public Convenience and    FERC.
 Necessity.
Endangered Species Act Consultation....  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Bald       U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
 Eagle Consultation.
National Historic Preservation Act.....  ID, WA, OR Historic
                                          Preservation Offices, and
                                          Tribal Historic Preservation
                                          Offices.
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Environmental Mailing List

    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for the Project which 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, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits 
comments on the Project and includes a mailing address with their 
comments. 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 proposed Project. State and local government representatives should 
notify their constituents of this proposed project and encourage them 
to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would 
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of 
the following steps:
    (1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your 
request. You must include the docket number CP22-2-000 in your request. 
If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure to 
include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to 
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and 
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to 
accept comments.
    OR
    (2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (Appendix 2).

[[Page 4581]]

Additional Information

    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number 
in the ``Docket Number'' field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP22-2-000). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected] or (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 https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with 
other related information.

    Dated: January 21, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-01680 Filed 1-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P