[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 233 (Wednesday, December 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 96239-96240]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28408]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Docket No. CP24-529-000]
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for
the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the 507G Line
Abandonment Project
On September 30, 2024, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. filed
an application in Docket No. CP24-529-000 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
507G Line Abandonment Project (Project) and would consist of
abandonment in-place and by removal of a portion of the 507G-100 Line
and the 507G-500 Line.
On October 11, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application and Establishing
Intervention Deadline (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\ The EA will be
issued for a 30-day comment period.
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\1\ In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's
regulations, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1731681706. 40 CFR
1501.5(c)(4) (2024).
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--April 25, 2025
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--July 24, 2025
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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
The Project would consist of abandonment in-place of approximately
59.6 miles and abandonment by removal at 56 locations, totaling 15.8
miles, of the 16-inch-diameter 507G-100 Line and disconnection and
removal of appurtenant facilities at 44 locations. In addition, the
Project would involve abandonment in-place of about 7.9 miles and
abandonment by removal of
[[Page 96240]]
about 1.1 miles of the 12-inch-diameter 507G-500 supply lateral
pipeline and disconnection and removal of appurtenant facilities at 7
locations. Under Section 2.55(a) of the Commission's regulations,
Tennessee intends to relocate an existing pigging facility.\3\
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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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Background
On November 7, 2024, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed
507G Line 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. The Commission received comments from
the West St. Mary Port Harbor and Terminal District; Josephine Heinen
Wetlands, LLC; and Don Caffery, representing M.A. Patout & Son Limited,
L.L.C., Sterling Sugars, L.L.C., D.T. Caffery, L.L.C., and several
property owners in their individual capacity, indicating a preference
that pipeline segments on their property be abandoned by removal rather
than in-place. In addition, the Commission received comments from
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries regarding burial depth
and potential for exposures in navigable waterways, and the Louisiana
Ecological Services Office providing instructions for their online
screening tool for listed species. 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.,
CP24-529), 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: November 27, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-28408 Filed 12-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P