[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 71 (Thursday, April 11, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25623-25624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07735]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP24-60-000]
Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Northern Lights 2025
Expansion Project
On February 16, 2024, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed
an application in Docket No. CP24-60-000 requesting a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity and authorization pursuant to Section
7 of the Natural Gas Act to abandon, construct, and operate certain
natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the
Northern Lights 2025 Expansion Project (Project), and Northern states
it would provide 46,064 dekatherms per day serving residential,
commercial, and industrial customer market growth in Northern's Market
Area.
On February 29, 2024, 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 13, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--December 12, 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.
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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
Northern proposes to construct and operate about 8.6 miles of
pipeline extensions, and associated ancillary and auxiliary equipment
in Freeborn, Houston, and Washington Counties, Minnesota, and Monroe
County, Wisconsin.
The Northern Lights 2025 Expansion Project would consist of the
following facilities:
3.0-mile-long extension of its 36-inch-diameter Lake Mills
to Albert Lea E Line;
2.43-mile-long extension of its 30-inch-diameter Elk River
3rd Branch Line;
a non-contiguous 1.91-mile-long extension of its 30-inch-
diameter Farmington to Hugo C-Line;
1.28-mile-long extension of its 8-inch-diameter Tomah
Branch Line Loop;
[[Page 25624]]
one pig new launcher,\3\ valves, and piping inside its
existing Hugo Compressor Station;
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\3\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline,
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
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minor piping modifications within its existing La Crescent
Compressor Station;
relocation of one pig receiver facility;
three new valve settings and associated valves and piping;
removal of three existing tie-in valve settings;
abandonment and removal of 275 feet of its existing 30-
inch diameter Elk River 3rd branch line; and
and other appurtenant facilities.
Background
On March 26, 2024, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Northern
Lights 2025 Expansion 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, churches, and newspapers. 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.
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].
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.,
CP24-60), 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: April 5, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-07735 Filed 4-10-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P