[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 212 (Friday, November 3, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 75577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24259]



[[Page 75577]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-535-000]


WBI Energy Transmission, Inc.; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the South Spearfish 
Project

    On August 28, 2023, WBI Energy Transmission, Inc. (WBI Energy) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP23-535-000 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 South Spearfish 
Project (Project) and would allow for incremental firm transportation 
capacity from WBI Energy's existing Line Section 15 in western South 
Dakota to the community of Spearfish, South Dakota for Montana-Dakota 
Utilities, Company.
    On September 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 
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--February 26, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--May 26, 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.

    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

    WBI Energy proposes the following in Lawrence County, South Dakota:
    <bullet> modify the Deadwood-Central City Lateral Takeoff Valve 
Setting adjacent to the Deadwood Mainline Transfer Station on WBI 
Energy's Line Section 15;
    <bullet> increase the maximum allowable operating pressure of the 
8-inch-diameter Deadwood-Central City Lateral from the Deadwood 
Mainline Transfer Station to the proposed South Spearfish Town Border 
Station;
    <bullet> install two pig launcher/receivers,\3\ one at each end of 
the uprated Deadwood-Central City Lateral;
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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. A pig launcher/
receiver are facilities where pigs are inserted/retrieved from the 
pipeline.
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    <bullet> construct the new South Spearfish Town Border Station 
adjacent to the existing South Spearfish Lateral Takeoff Valve Setting. 
The new station would contain the relocated South Spearfish Town Border 
Station and the new Deadwood Lateral Transfer Station;
    <bullet> relocate approximately 500 feet of the South Spearfish 
Lateral adjacent to the South Spearfish Town Border Station and the 
existing South Spearfish Lateral Takeoff Valve Setting; and
    <bullet> abandon by sale the existing 5.5-mile-long 4-inch-diameter 
South Spearfish Lateral and certain town border station equipment, at 
the existing South Spearfish Town Border Station to Montana-Dakota 
Utilities, Company upon the commissioning of the new South Spearfish 
Town Border Station.

Background

    On October 13, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
South Spearfish 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. 
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#b6f9e6e6f6d0d3c4d598d1d9c0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="eea1bebeae888b9c8dc0898198">[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., 
CP23-535), 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#b9fffcebfaf6d7d5d0d7dceaccc9c9d6cbcdf9dfdccbda97ded6cf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="54121106171b3a383d3a31072124243b262014323126377a333b22">[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 27, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-24259 Filed 11-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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