[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 87 (Wednesday, May 7, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19295-19296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-07951]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP25-89-000, CP25-90-000]
Northwest Pipeline, LLC, Portland General Electric Company, B-R
Pipeline, LLC, KB Pipeline Company; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Kelso-Beaver
Reliability Project
On February 27, 2025, Northwest Pipeline, LLC (Northwest) filed an
application in Docket Nos. CP25-89-000 and CP25-90-000 requesting a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to section
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to acquire, construct, and operate certain
natural gas pipeline facilities in Cowlitz County, Washington. The
proposed project is known as the Kelso-Beaver Reliability Project
(Project), and it would create 52,400 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of
westbound capacity from Northwest's system to the State of Oregon-
regulated North Mist Storage facility (North Mist Project) and 131,000
Dth/d of eastbound capacity from the North Mist Project to Northwest's
system on a pipeline Northwest proposes to purchase from Portland
General Electric Company, KB Pipeline Company, and B-R Pipeline, LLC.
\1\
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\1\ Portland General Electric Company, KB Pipeline Company, and
B-R Pipeline, LLC also filed to abandon the KB Pipeline to Northwest
in Docket No. CP25-90-000.
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On March 13, 2025, 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.\2\ The EA will be
issued for a 30-day comment period.
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\2\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1746011608.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--August 22, 2025
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \3\--November 20, 2025
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\3\ 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:
one new KB Compressor Station in Cowlitz County,
Washington, consisting of one 5,500-horsepower electric-motor driven
compressor unit and appurtenances; and
modification of the existing KB Meter Station and existing
aboveground facilities in Cowlitz County, Washington.
Background
On April 17, 2025, the Commission issued a ``Notice of Scoping
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed
Kelso-Beaver Reliability 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; environmental and public interest groups; Native American
Tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers.
To date, the Commission has received comments from one landowner, three
trade groups, and three firms that are customers of Northwest Pipeline,
LLC. The primary issues raised by the commenters are the safety of the
Project with respect to the region's geologic hazards, and support
[[Page 19296]]
of the Project's potential benefits on the region's energy reliability.
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,
community organizations, 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.,
CP25-89 or CP25-90), 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 1, 2025.
Carlos D. Clay,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-07951 Filed 5-6-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P