[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4296-4297]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01265]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP24-13-000]


MountainWest Overthrust Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Westbound 
Compression Expansion Project

    On November 2, 2023, MountainWest Overthrust Pipeline, LLC 
(Overthrust) filed an application in Docket No. CP24-13-000 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 Westbound 
Compression Expansion Project (Project), which would expand 
Overthrust's natural gas transmission system at its existing Point of 
Rocks and Rock Springs Compressor Stations in Sweetwater County, 
Wyoming, as well as related aboveground facilities in Uinta and Lincoln 
Counties, Wyoming. The Project would provide an additional 325,000 
dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of year-round firm transportation capacity 
on its existing mainline to western and northwestern U.S. gas markets.
    On November 15, 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--June 24, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--September 22, 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.
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    If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies

[[Page 4297]]

are kept informed of the Project's progress.

Project Description

    The Project would provide an expansion of Overthrust's existing 
pipeline system that would enable Overthrust to provide an additional 
325,000 Dth/d of westbound firm transportation capacity to a new 
delivery point being constructed by Kern River Gas Transmission near 
Overthrust's existing Roberson Compressor Station in Lincoln County, 
Wyoming.
    The Project would consist of the following facilities and 
activities, all in Wyoming:
    <bullet> addition of one gas-fired turbine driven compressor unit 
with 15,900 nominal horsepower (hp) at the existing Point of Rocks 
Compressor Station in Sweetwater County;
    <bullet> addition of one gas-fired turbine driven compressor unit 
with 15,900 nominal hp at the existing Rock Springs Compressor Station 
in Sweetwater County;
    <bullet> an approximate 1,400-foot-long, 24-inch-diameter pipe 
interconnect (JTL-148) extending from a new tap on Overthrust's 
mainline 122 at its existing North Rendezvous Tap facility to a new 
meter station being constructed by Kern River Gas Transmission at an 
existing site in Lincoln County;
    <bullet> upgrades to the existing Rockies Express Pipeline 
Wamsutter Meter Station to accommodate additional gas volumes in 
Sweetwater County;
    <bullet> upgrades at three existing facilities--Roberson Compressor 
Station (new pig launcher and receiver \3\ in Lincoln County), Cabin 31 
Interconnect Pipeline Facility (new pig launcher in Sweetwater County), 
and Opal Interconnect Pipeline Facility (new pig launcher in Lincoln 
County), to support in-line inspections along the Overthrust mainline; 
and
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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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    <bullet> modifications to Overthrust's existing Granger 
Interconnect Facility to accommodate new flow conditions in Sweetwater 
County.

Background

    On December 14, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Westbound Compression Expansion 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 comments from the City Planner of Rock Springs, 
Wyoming, Wyoming Game and Fish Department in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and 
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality. The primary issue raised 
by the City Planner of Rock Springs is a request for Overthrust to 
inform the Rock Springs Planning Department with any proposed additions 
or changes at the existing Blairtown Yard, which is within the city 
limits of Rock Springs. Wyoming Game and Fish Department requested 
adherence to the protection of wildlife and wildlife habitat in the 
vicinity of the Project. Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality 
comments requested thorough analysis of groundwater and surface water 
impacts of the Project. All substantive comments will be addressed in 
the EA.
    Portions of the Project would affect lands that Overthrust has 
leased from the Bureau of Land Management; therefore, the Bureau of 
Land Management is a cooperating agency in the preparation of 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#1f504f4f5f797a6d7c31787069"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4c031c1c0c2a293e2f622b233a">[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., 
CP24-13), 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#084e4d5a4b47666461666d5b7d7878677a7c486e6d7a6b266f677e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="064043544549686a6f686355737676697472466063746528616970">[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: January 17, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-01265 Filed 1-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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