[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 192 (Wednesday, October 5, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 60390]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21637]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-468-000]


Trailblazer Pipeline Company, LLC; Express Pipeline, LLC; Notice 
of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the 
Trailblazer Conversion Project

    On May 27, 2022, Trailblazer Pipeline Company, LLC (TPC) and 
Rockies Express Pipeline, LLC (REX) filed an application in Docket No. 
CP22-468-000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity pursuant to Sections 7(b) and (c) of the Natural Gas Act to 
construct, operate, and abandon certain natural gas pipeline 
facilities. The proposed project is known as the Trailblazer Conversion 
Project (Project) and would provide continuing service to TPC's 
existing natural gas firm transportation customers using underutilized 
jurisdictional capacity on REX pipeline facilities while making TPC's 
pipeline facilities available, following their proposed abandonment, in 
anticipation of future non-jurisdictional use to transport carbon 
dioxide (CO2) for final sequestration. The Project would not 
involve an increase in natural gas transportation capacity.
    On June 9, 2022, 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 document for the Project.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule 
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
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    \1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
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Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--March 31, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--June 29, 2023
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    \2\ 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.

    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

    TPC is proposing to abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities 
and associated compressor stations. REX is proposing to provide 
capacity on the existing REX Pipeline to TPC and construct, install, 
own, operate, and maintain certain facilities necessary for TPC to 
continue service to its existing customers. The Project would consist 
of the abandonment in-place of 392 miles of 36-inch-diameter TPC 
pipeline facilities and 3 TPC mainline compressor stations located in 
Colorado and Nebraska; construction of a new 18.8-mile-long, 20-inch-
diameter lateral pipeline (REX Lateral to TPC Adams) located in 
Franklin, Webster, and Adams counties, Nebraska; construction of a new 
22.2-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter lateral (REX Lateral to TPC East) 
located in Jefferson and Saline counties, Nebraska; construction of 
five new interconnect booster stations at existing TPC pipeline 
facilities in Nebraska and Colorado; and installation and modifications 
of meter stations and station piping in Nebraska.

Background

    On July 11, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Trailblazer Conversion Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of 
Scoping 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 Notice of Scoping, 
the Commission received multiple comments. Several were supportive of 
the Project. Others requested that the EA discuss and provide 
appropriate details regarding the Project description, purpose and 
need, alternatives, and resource impacts. The U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) recommends FERC include the proposed capture, 
transport, and sequestration of CO2 as a connected action 
under NEPA. Additionally, EPA recommends FERC coordinate closely with 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding regulatory changes 
associated with wetland permits, address potential air emission impacts 
under the general conformity rule, address potential spread of invasive 
species, and address impacts on environmental justice communities. 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 formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.
    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., 
CP22-468), 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 29, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-21637 Filed 10-4-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P