[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 224 (Monday, November 24, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Page 52952]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-20698]
[[Page 52952]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP25-528-000]
Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc; Notice of Schedule for
the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Appalachian
Reliability Project
On July 24, 2025, Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. (EGTS)
filed an application in Docket No. CP25-528-000 requesting a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural
gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the
Appalachian Reliability Project (Project) and would allow EGTS to
provide about 550,000 dekatherms per day of additional firm natural gas
transportation service to points along the interstate pipeline grid in
Ohio and Pennsylvania.
On August 7, 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.\1\ The EA will be
issued for a 30-day comment period.
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\1\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EA-XX-019-20-000-1756811530.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA February 27, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ May 28, 2026
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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
EGTS proposes to construct and operate about 3.9 miles of
interstate natural gas transmission pipeline and modify its existing
compression and metering regulation facilities in Armstrong, Greene and
Westmoreland Counties, Pennsylvania, and Monroe County, Ohio.
Background
On September 4, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed
Appalachian Reliability 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. Prior to issuing the Notice of Scoping,
we received numerous comments supporting the Project. In response to
the Notice of Scoping, we received eight comments. We received comments
from three landowners, two non-profit organizations; Protect PT (Penn-
Trafford) and the Clean Air Council, the Teamsters National Pipeline
Labor Management Cooperation Trust, the Energy Equipment and
Infrastructure Alliance, and the Monroe County, OH Board of County
Commissioners. The primary issues raised by the commenters concern
noise and air emissions from the JB Tonkin Compressor Station and their
effects on air quality, nearby residences, and public health, the
Project's potential effects on agricultural and livestock lands and
business operations, streams and wetlands, and federally protected
threatened and endangered species. We also received comments concerning
the purpose and need for the Project, environmental justice, past EGTS'
air permit compliance issues, and alternatives. Lastly, we received a
request to hold in-person public scoping sessions. Given the limited
scope of the Project, we determined that our solicitation of written
comments was sufficient. The Teamsters National Pipeline Labor
Management Cooperation Trust, the Energy Equipment and Infrastructure
Alliance, and the Monroe County, OH Board of County Commissioners all
submitted comments supporting the Project. 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.,
CP25-528), 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: October 8, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-20698 Filed 11-21-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P