[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7435-7436]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02300]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-15-000]


ANR Pipeline Company; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of 
an Environmental Assessment for the Wisconsin Reliability Project

    On November 14, 2022, ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP23-15-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline 
facilities. The proposed project is known as the Wisconsin Reliability 
Project (Project), and would provide about 150,000 dekatherms of 
natural gas per day to the state of Wisconsin.
    On November 28, 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

[[Page 7436]]

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 July 21, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ October 19, 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

    The Wisconsin Reliability Project would consist of the following 
facilities:
     installation of two new 3,750 horsepower (hp) Dual Drive 
Technologies, Ltd.TM (dual-drive) \3\ compressor units, 
removal of five existing compressor units, and uprate of one existing 
unit at the existing Kewaskum Compressor Station in Sheboygan County, 
Wisconsin;
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    \3\ Dual Drive Technologies, Ltd.\TM\ units are redundant prime 
mover systems comprised of a combination electric motor connected to 
an engine for powering a gas compressor. These units can switch 
between electricity and natural gas in the event of an abnormal 
operating event (e.g., power outage) to provide enhanced system 
reliability and maintain customer commitments.
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     installation of two new 3,750 hp dual-drive compressor 
units, removal of one existing compressor unit, installation of an 
electric substation, and upsizing of station inlet and discharge piping 
at the existing Weyauwega Compressor Station in Waupaca County, 
Wisconsin;
     replacement of approximately 48 miles of existing, 14-
inch-diameter and 22-inch-diameter Line 301 with 30-inch-diameter and 
36-inch-diameter pipeline, and existing 24-inch-diameter Line 226 with 
30-inch-diameter pipeline in the counties of Washington, Waukesha, 
Waupaca, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties Wisconsin, as well as Mc 
Henry County, Illinois;
     expansion of the existing Lena, Merrill, Oshkosh, South 
Wausau, Stevens Point, and Two Rivers meter stations to accommodate 
deliveries of incremental capacity in the counties of Oconto, Lincoln, 
Winnebago, Marathon, Portage, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin; and
     other minor appurtenant facilities.
    The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\4\
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    \4\ 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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    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 1,044.3 
acres of land for the aboveground facilities upgrades and pipeline 
modifications. Following construction, ANR would maintain about 466.7 
acres for permanent operation of the Project's pipeline facilities and 
36.4 acres for operation of the aboveground facilities; the remaining 
acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. A majority of the 
proposed pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road 
rights-of-way, or would be installed within the same footprint of the 
existing pipe segment to replaced.

Background

    On July 8, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned Wisconsin 
Reliability Project and Notice of Public Scoping Session (Notice of 
Scoping). The Notice of Scoping was issued during the pre-filing review 
of the Project in Docket No. PF22-5-000 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 Notice of Scoping, the Commission received comments 
from Washington County, National Park Service, U.S. Environmental 
Protection Agency, and several landowners. The primary issues raised by 
the commenters were concerns with construction impacts, wetland and 
wildlife, air quality, and land use. All substantive comments will be 
addressed in the EA.
    Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Wisconsin Department of 
Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers are cooperating agencies in the preparation of 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., 
CP23-15), 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: January 30, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-02300 Filed 2-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P