[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 39 (Monday, February 28, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11062-11065]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-04130]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF22-3-000; Docket No. PF22-4-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Company, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on 
Environmental Issues for the Planned Virginia Reliability Project and 
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project, and Notice of Public Scoping 
Session

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss 
the environmental impacts of the Virginia Reliability Project and 
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project involving construction and 
operation of facilities by Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) 
and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco), 
respectively. Columbia's project would be located in Greensville, 
Prince George, Sussex, Surry, Southampton, and Isle of Wight Counties, 
Virginia and in the cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia. 
Transco's project would be located in Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and 
Greensville Counties, Virginia. Because of planned operational 
connections between the Virginia Reliability Project and the 
Commonwealth Energy Connector Project, the Commission will prepare a 
single environmental document as part of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) review process. The Commission will use this 
environmental document in its decision-making process to determine 
whether the projects are in the public convenience and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies regarding the projects. As part of the 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 Environmental Document section 
of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the 
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 24, 2022. Comments may be 
submitted in written or oral form. Further details on how to submit 
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this 
notice.
    Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, 
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental 
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what 
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission 
staff will consider all written or oral comments during the preparation 
of the environmental document.
    If you submitted comments on either of these projects to the 
Commission before the opening of the dockets on December 1, 2021, you 
will need to file those comments in Docket Nos. PF22-3-000 (Virginia 
Reliability Project) or PF22-4-000 (Commonwealth Energy Connector 
Project) to ensure they are considered.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for these projects. State and local government 
representatives should notify their constituents of these planned 
projects and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a representative from 
Columbia or Transco may contact you about the acquisition of an 
easement to construct, operate, and maintain the planned 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 subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee 
the exercise of that eminent domain authority. The courts have 
exclusive authority to handle eminent domain cases; the Commission has 
no jurisdiction over these matters.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' 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 links to Natural Gas Questions or 
Landowner Topics.

Public Participation

    There are four methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your 
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
    (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

[[Page 11063]]

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 (PF22-3-
000 for Virginia Reliability Project or PF22-4-000 for Commonwealth 
Energy Connector Project) 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.
    (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you 
to attend the virtual public scoping session its staff will conduct by 
telephone, scheduled as follows:

Date and Time

Tuesday, March 15, 2022, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Call in number: 800-
779-8625, Passcode: 3472916

    Although there will not be a formal presentation, Commission staff 
will be available to answer questions you may have about the 
environmental review process. The primary goal of this scoping session 
is to have you identify the specific environmental issues and concerns 
that should be considered in the environmental document. Individual 
oral comments will be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter 
present on the line. This format is designed to receive the maximum 
amount of oral comments, in a convenient way during the timeframe 
allotted, and is in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    The scoping session is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
eastern time. You may call at any time after 5:00 p.m. at which time 
you will be placed on mute and hold. Calls will be answered in the 
order they are received. Once answered, you will have the opportunity 
to provide your comment directly to a court reporter with FERC staff or 
representative present on the line. A time limit of three minutes will 
be implemented for each commentor.
    Transcripts of all comments received during the scoping session 
will be publicly available on FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page 
of this notice for instructions on using eLibrary).
    It is important to note that the Commission provides equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided orally at a virtual scoping session.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription, which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances 
and submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. 
These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive 
notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce 
the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.

Summary of the Planned Projects

Virginia Reliability Project

    Columbia plans to replace and expand existing facilities associated 
with its VM-107 and VM-108 pipelines in southeast Virginia. The 
Virginia Reliability Project would increase the capability of 
Columbia's existing pipeline facilities to provide incremental firm 
transportation service of 100,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d), while 
increasing the reliability of Columbia's system by replacing 1950s 
vintage pipeline. According to Columbia, its project would meet the 
increasing market demand of residential, commercial, and industrial 
consumers in southeast Virginia.
    The Virginia Reliability Project would consist of the following:
     Replacement of approximately 47.7 miles of existing, 1950s 
vintage 12-inch-diameter VM-107 and VM-108 pipelines with 24-inch-
diameter pipeline mostly within Columbia's existing right-of-way, in 
the Counties of Sussex, Surry, Southampton, and Isle of Wight, as well 
as the cities of Suffolk and Chesapeake, Virginia;
     installation of one new 5,500 horsepower (HP) electric-
drive compressor unit at the existing Emporia Compressor Station in 
Greensville County, Virginia;
     a facility upgrade involving additional gas cooling and an 
increase of 2,700 HP at the existing Petersburg Compressor Station in 
Prince George County, Virginia;
     expansion of the Emporia Point of Receipt in Greensville 
County, Virginia; RS-7423 Regulator Station in Prince George County, 
Virginia; and the MS-831010 Point of Delivery in the City of 
Chesapeake, Virginia; and
     eight mainline valve replacements, five new launcher/
receiver installations, and other minor appurtenant facilities.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Commonwealth Energy Connector Project

    Transco plans to expand its existing natural gas transmission 
system to provide 105,000 Dth/d of incremental firm transportation 
capacity from its Compressor Station 165 in Pittsylvania County, 
Virginia to the existing Emporia delivery point in Greensville County, 
Virginia on the existing South Virginia Lateral B-Line Pipeline.
    The Commonwealth Energy Connector Project would consist of the 
following:
     Construction of a 6.35-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter 
pipeline loop \2\ (referred to as the Commonwealth Loop), including 
valve and launcher/receiver facilities, in Brunswick and Greensville 
Counties, Virginia;
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to 
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     installation of a 30,500 HP electric motor-drive 
compressor unit at the existing Compressor Station 168 in Mecklenburg 
County, Virginia; and
     expansion of the existing Emporia Metering and Regulator 
Station in Greensville County, Virginia.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.

Land Requirements for Construction

Virginia Reliability Project

    As a preliminary estimate, construction of the planned facilities 
for the Virginia Reliability Project would disturb about 814 acres of 
land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Following 
construction, Columbia would maintain about 195 acres for permanent 
operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be 
restored. These acreages are subject to change pending further pipeline 
route refinement. All of the planned pipeline route parallels 
Columbia's existing VM-107 and VM-108 pipelines.

Commonwealth Energy Connector Project

    Construction of the planned facilities for the Commonwealth Energy 
Connector would disturb about 168 acres of land for the compressor 
station modifications and the pipeline. An additional amount, as yet to 
be quantified, would be disturbed for

[[Page 11064]]

aboveground facilities. Following construction, Transco would maintain 
about 2.8 acres of new pipeline right-of-way for permanent operation of 
the project's facilities; the remaining acreage is either part of its 
existing permanent right-of-way or would be restored. The acreage that 
would be permanently affected by aboveground facilities outside of 
Transco's existing facilities has yet to be quantified. All of the 
planned pipeline route parallels Transco's existing South Virginia 
Lateral A-Line.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss 
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation 
of the planned projects under the relevant general resource areas:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     socioeconomics and environmental justice;
     land use;
     air quality and noise;
     climate change; and
     reliability and safety.
    Commission staff have already identified several issues that 
deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the planned 
facilities and the environmental information provided by Columbia and 
Transco for their respective projects. This preliminary list of issues 
may change based on your comments and our analysis:
     Lands administered by the Great Dismal Swamp National 
Wildlife Refuge;
     the Sunray Historic District in the city of Chesapeake, 
Virginia; and
     residential, commercial, and industrial areas;
     agricultural lands;
     wetlands and waterbodies; and
     forested areas.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the 
planned projects or portions of the projects and make recommendations 
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your 
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues 
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially 
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental 
document.
    Although no formal application has been filed for either project, 
Commission staff have already initiated a NEPA review under the 
Commission's pre-filing process. The purpose of the pre-filing process 
is to encourage early involvement of interested stakeholders and to 
identify and resolve issues before the Commission receives an 
application. As part of the pre-filing review, Commission staff will 
contact federal and state agencies to discuss their involvement in the 
scoping process and the preparation of the environmental document.
    If formal applications are filed, Commission staff will then 
determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present 
Commission staff's independent analysis of the environmental issues. If 
Commission staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may 
be issued for an allotted public comment period. The Commission would 
consider timely comments on the EA before making its determination on 
the proposed projects. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of 
Intent to Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued once the 
applications are filed, which will open an additional public comment 
period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS that 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 EA or draft and 
final EIS will be available in electronic format in the public record 
through eLibrary \3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues related to these projects to formally cooperate in 
the preparation of the environmental document.\4\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Virginia Department of Historic Resources, and to 
solicit its views and those of other government agencies, interested 
Indian tribes, and the public on the projects' potential effects on 
historic properties.\5\ The environmental document for these projects 
will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and 
summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; and 
other interested parties. 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 projects 
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 planned projects.
    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 PF22-03-000 for Virginia 
Reliability Project or PF22-04-000 for Commonwealth Energy Connector 
Project 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

[[Page 11065]]

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).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Columbia and Transco file their applications with the 
Commission, you may want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an 
official party to the Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have 
the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision and be heard 
by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. 
An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a 
request to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more 
fully described at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.asp. 
Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor 
status at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives formal 
applications for the projects, after which the Commission will issue a 
public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the projects 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. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number 
in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an 
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online 
Support at [email protected] or toll free at (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 22, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-04130 Filed 2-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P