[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 119 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40811-40812]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13266]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-214-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Greenwood and North 
Greenwood Storage Fields Abandonment Project

    On April 21, 2023, Columbia Gas Transmission, L.L.C. (Columbia) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP23-214-000 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 Greenwood and North Greenwood Storage Fields 
Abandonment Project (Project) and would authorize Columbia to abandon

[[Page 40812]]

all active pipelines, facilities, and appurtenances at the Greenwood 
and North Greenwood Storage Fields. According to Columbia, the 
abandonment of these facilities would reduce future integrity risks at 
the fields and the overall safety risk to its system.
    On May 5, 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--October 27, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--January 25, 2024
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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

    Columbia proposes to abandon its Greenwood and North Greenwood 
Storage Fields, including all active associated pipelines, facilities, 
and appurtenances, in Steuben County, New York. The Project would 
consist of the abandonment of eight wells, three miles of storage 
lines, one compressor station, and associated appurtenances. 
Abandonment of the proposed facilities would temporarily disturb about 
25.8 acres of land. This includes about 15.5 acres of existing 
easements, 3.8 acres of existing access roads, 3.6 acres of existing 
facility space, and 2.8 acres of temporary workspaces.

Background

    On May 15, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Greenwood 
and North Greenwood Storage Fields Abandonment 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 comments from the New 
York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The primary issues 
raised by the commenter are facilities abandonment procedures, air 
quality, threatened and endangered species, and state permits. 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., 
CP23-214), 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.
    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].

    Dated: June 15, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-13266 Filed 6-21-23; 8:45 am]
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