[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37062-37063]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11933]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP23-82-000]
Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Lucas and Pavonia
Wells Abandonment Project
On March 2, 2023, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) filed
an application in Docket No. CP23-82-000 requesting an Authorization
pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon certain
natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the
Lucas and Pavonia Wells Abandonment Project (Project), and would result
in abandonment of 37 injection/withdrawal wells and associated
pipelines and appurtenances at Columbia's existing certificated Lucas
and Pavonia Storage Fields in Ashland and Richland Counties, Ohio.
On March 15, 2023, 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 September 8, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ December 7, 2023
\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 Project would consist of the following facilities and
activities in Ashland and Richland Counties, Ohio:
abandonment of 37 injection/withdrawal wells at the Lucas
and Pavonia Storage Fields by permanently plugging and abandoning the
wells in place;
abandonment of approximately 41,423 feet of associated 3-
to 6-inch-diameter pipeline, of which 39,402 feet would be capped and
abandoned in place and 2,021 feet would be abandoned by removal; and
abandonment by removal of all associated aboveground
appurtenances, including, but not limited to, tie-in valves, pipeline
markers, cathodic protection test stations, rectifiers, casing vents,
and above-ground pipeline blowdown vents.
Background
On April 14, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Lucas and
Pavonia Wells Abandonment Project and Notice of Public Scoping Session
(Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping was sent to affected
landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; elected
officials; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and local
libraries and newspapers. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the
Commission received comments from the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and
one landowner. The
[[Page 37063]]
primary issues raised by the commenters concerned impacts of the
Project on agricultural property and agricultural operations. All
substantive environmental comments will be addressed in the EA.
Additional Information
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners,
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
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.,
CP23-82), 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: May 30, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-11933 Filed 6-5-23; 8:45 am]
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