[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 196 (Thursday, October 12, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70659-70660]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22481]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-523-000]


ANR Pipeline Company; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of 
an Environmental Assessment for the Oak Grove Enhancement Project

    On August 1, 2023, ANR Pipeline Company (ANR) filed an application 
in Docket No. CP23-523-000 requesting a Certificate of Public 
Convenience and Necessity pursuant to section 7(c) and Authorization 
pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to construct, operate, 
and abandon certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed 
project is known as the Oak Grove Enhancement Project (Project). The 
Project would include construction of 34.1 miles of new 30-inch-
diameter natural gas pipeline to replace 33.6 miles of existing 30-
inch-diameter natural gas pipeline in Richland and West Carroll 
Parishes, Louisiana. According to ANR, its project would improve the 
integrity and reliability of ANR's system by replacing vintage pipeline 
facilities installed in the 1950's with new pipeline facilities.
    On August 11, 2023, 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

[[Page 70660]]

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--March 1, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--May 30, 2024

    If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.
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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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Project Description

    The Oak Grove Enhancement Project would consist of the following 
facilities:
    <bullet> Installation of 34.1 miles of new 30-inch-diameter segment 
of natural gas pipeline, which will begin at ANR's existing Delhi 
Compressor Station (CS) in Richland Parish, Louisiana and primarily 
parallel the existing Line 0-501, 1-501, and 2-501 pipelines before the 
new segment ties into the existing route just south of State Route 586 
in West Carroll Parish, Louisiana at the terminus of the existing Line 
0-501 segment to be abandoned.
    <bullet> Abandonment in place and by removal of 33.6 miles of 
existing 30-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, which begins at ANR's 
existing Delhi CS in Richland Parish and terminates just south of State 
Route 586 in West Carroll Parish. Approximately one percent (0.25 mile) 
of the existing Line 0-501 segment would be abandoned by removal, while 
the remaining existing pipeline segments (totaling 33.35 miles) would 
be abandoned in place.
    The Oak Grove Enhancement Project would not increase or reduce 
service to any existing ANR customer and no changes to system capacity 
are proposed. ANR's Project design would allow the existing segment to 
remain in operation until the replacement pipeline is placed into 
service.

Background

    On August 23, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Oak 
Grove Enhancement 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. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission 
received one comment from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and 
Fisheries regarding impacts on wildlife habitats. 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#420d121202242730216c252d34"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a9e6f9f9e9cfccdbca87cec6df">[email protected]</span></a>.
    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., 
CP23-523), 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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#470102150408292b2e292214323737283533072122352469202831"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dd9b988f9e92b3b1b4b3b88ea8adadb2afa99dbbb8afbef3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>. 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 4, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-22481 Filed 10-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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