[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