[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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