[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 27 (Wednesday, February 9, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7444-7446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02700]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP21-498-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Virginia 
Electrification 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 Virginia Electrification 
Project (Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by 
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) in Louisa County, Virginia; 
Goochland County, Virginia; and Prince George County, Virginia. 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. Eastern Time on March 3, 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 pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed 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 Project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent 
domain to the company. 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. 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.
    Columbia 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 (CP21-
498-000) 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

    Columbia proposes modifications and a certificated horsepower 
increase to Columbia's existing Boswells Tavern Compressor Station and 
expansion of the existing Boswells Tavern point of receipt in Louisa 
County, Virginia; modifications and a certificated horsepower increase 
to Columbia's existing Goochland Compressor Station in Goochland 
County, Virginia; and a certificated horsepower increase at Columbia's 
existing Petersburg Compressor Station in Prince George County, 
Virginia. The Project would provide about 35,000 dekatherms per day of 
incremental mainline capacity on Columbia's pipeline system. According 
to Columbia, its Project would address a request from Columbia Gas of 
Virginia, an unaffiliated local distribution

[[Page 7445]]

company, for firm transportation service to meet growing energy demand 
in the southeast Virginia market area off of Columbia's existing VM-
107, VM-108, and VM-109 pipelines. Columbia states the Project would 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions on Columbia's pipeline system through 
the modification and optimization of existing infrastructure.
    The Project would consist of the following facilities all located 
in Virginia:
     Installation of one zero emission electric motor 
compressor unit at the Boswell Tavern Compressor Station located in 
Louisa County;
     facility modifications to the Boswells Tavern point of 
receipt located in Louisa County to increase capacity;
     replacement of all five existing gas-powered compressor 
units at the Goochland Compressor Station, located in Goochland County, 
with new units that will run exclusively on electric motors, but will 
have the ability to run on gas in order to ensure reliability; and
     status change of an existing compressor unit from backup 
mode to active mode and increase the site-rated station horsepower to 
5,500 horsepower at the Petersburg Compressor Station located in Prince 
George County.
    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 Columbia, the 
proposed Project would result in new temporary and permanent impacts at 
the Boswells Tavern and Goochland Compressor Station sites. Work 
associated with the Boswells Tavern point of receipt would occur within 
the temporary and permanent workspaces used for the Boswells Tavern 
Compressor Station. No workspace would be required at the Petersburg 
Compressor Station, as no construction or ground-disturbing activities 
are proposed at this site. A total of 15.8 acres would be temporarily 
disturbed for construction activities. Following construction, Columbia 
would retain a total of 5.8 acres of land for operations, of which 1.3 
acres will be new permanent easement. All land affected by the Project 
is either currently owned or leased by Columbia.

The NEPA Process and the EIS

    The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could 
occur as a result of the construction 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;
     socioeconomics and environmental justice;
     air quality and noise;
     climate change; 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/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 currently under consideration include:
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    \3\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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     The no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not 
implemented;
     the systems alternative, which would consist of pipeline 
looping or an alternative configuration of the compressor stations.
    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 and 
pipeline routes) 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 
consultation 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 5, 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 
August 2022

Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS: December 16, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline: \5\ March 16, 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

[[Page 7446]]

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.

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                 Agency                               Permit
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission...  Certificate of Public
                                          Convenience and Necessity
                                          under Section 7(c) of the
                                          Natural Gas Act.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,          Consultation under Section 7 of
 Virginia Ecological Field Services       the Endangered Species Act,
 Office.                                  the Migratory Bird Treaty Act,
                                          and the Bald and Gold Eagle
                                          Protection Act.
Virginia Department of Environmental     Minor New Source Review (NSR)
 Quality--Air Division.                   Permit Modifications for
                                          Compressor Stations.
Virginia Department of Environmental     Virginia Water Protection
 Quality--Water Division.                 Permit.
Virginia Department of Environmental     Water Quality Certification
 Quality--Water Division.                 under Section 401 of the Clean
                                          Water Act.
Virginia Department of Environmental     Consistency Determination under
 Quality--Coastal Zone Management         the Virginia Coastal Zone
 Program.                                 Management Program.
Virginia Department of Historical        Consultation under Section 106
 Resources.                               of the National Historic
                                          Preservation Act.
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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 CP21-498-000 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).

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., 
CP21-498). 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: February 3, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-02700 Filed 2-8-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P