[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 53 (Friday, March 20, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11935-11937]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-6077]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP09-68-000]


Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Supplemental Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed TEMAX and TIME III 
Projects and Alternative and Request for Comments on Environmental 
Issues

March 13, 2009.
    As previously noticed on November 18, 2008, and supplemented 
herein, the staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss environmental impacts that could result from the construction 
and operation of the Texas Eastern Market Area Crossing Project (TEMAX) 
and Texas Eastern Incremental Market Area Expansion III Project (TIME 
III) proposed by Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (Texas Eastern). The 
projects are proposed by Texas Eastern to expand the natural gas 
transportation capacity of its existing pipeline system in southern 
Pennsylvania. The EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-
making process to determine whether the project is in the public 
convenience and necessity.
    This Supplemental Notice of Intent (NOI) announces the opening of a 
limited scoping period the Commission will use to gather input from the 
public and interested agencies on the proposed projects, and 
specifically, the Chambersburg Alternative consisting of about 12.5 
miles of additional pipeline replacement in Franklin and Adams 
Counties, Pennsylvania. Your input will help determine which issues 
need to be evaluated in the EA regarding the Chambersburg Alternative 
in the event that Texas Eastern is unable to install the proposed 
compressor unit at the Heidlersburg Compressor Station. Please note 
that the limited scoping period for the Chambersburg Alternative will 
close on April 13, 2009.
    This notice is being sent to landowners affected by the 
Chambersburg Alternative; Federal, State, and local government 
representatives and agencies; environmental and public interest groups; 
elected officials; Native American Tribes; other interested parties; 
and local libraries and newspapers. State and local government 
representatives are asked to notify their constituents of the planned 
project and to encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a Texas Eastern representative about the acquisition of an easement 
to construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. The 
pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable 
agreement. However, if the project is approved by the Commission, that 
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if 
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
Federal or State law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). This fact 
sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the 
use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's 
proceedings.

Summary of the Proposed Projects

    Texas Eastern's existing natural gas pipeline system consists of 
over 9,000 miles of pipeline from the Gulf Coast to the Northeastern 
United States, and includes its Main Line 1 and Main Line 2.
    To expand its system in southern Pennsylvania Texas Eastern is 
requesting authorization to replace 25.9 miles of various diameter 
pipeline, construct 9.6 miles of loop,\1\ use of 0.8 mile of existing 
pipeline, and construct 26.5 miles of new pipeline lateral.\2\ In 
addition, Texas Eastern requests authorization to add 85,633 horsepower 
(hp) of compression at four existing compressor stations and abandon 
9,500 hp of compression at one compressor station, resulting in a net 
increase of 76,133 hp of compression for the projects. Texas Eastern 
also requests authorization to uprate the maximum allowable operating 
pressure of its existing Lines 1 and 2 from 1,000 to

[[Page 11936]]

1,112 pounds per square inch gauge for 268 miles between its Uniontown 
and Marietta Compressor Stations. The proposed facilities are located 
in Greene, Bedford, Franklin, Adams, Lancaster and York Counties, 
Pennsylvania.
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    \1\ A pipeline ``loop'' is a segment of pipe installed adjacent 
and parallel to an existing pipeline system that is connected to the 
system at both ends. A loop allows more gas to be moved through that 
portion of the pipeline system or functions as a backup system.
    \2\ On February 27, 2009, Texas Eastern filed its application 
with the Commission under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act and Part 
157 of the Commission's Regulations. Prior to the formal application 
filing, Commission staff initiated its review of the TEMAX and TIME 
III Projects under the Commission's Pre-filing Process on July 25, 
2008, in Docket No. PF08-27-000. As indicated in the Notice of 
Application issued by the Commission on March 11, 2009, the Pre-
filing Process for these projects has ended and this proceeding will 
be conducted in Docket No. CP09-68-000.
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    The purpose of the TEMAX Project is to provide additional natural 
gas transportation capacity of 395,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) from 
a receipt point with the Rockies Express Pipeline LLC in Clarington, 
Ohio, to an interconnect with Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company, 
LLC (Transco) in York County, Pennsylvania. The TIME III Project would 
provide additional transportation capacity of 60,000 Dth/d from a 
receipt point in Oakford, Pennsylvania to the same interconnect with 
Transco.
    More specifically, Texas Eastern plans the following:

The Holbrook Discharge

    <bullet> Construct 0.5 mile of 36-inch-diameter loop as an addition 
onto the existing Line 30;
    <bullet> Replace 9.2 miles of the existing 20-inch-diameter Line 2 
and 24-inch-diameter Line 1 with 36-inch-diameter pipeline; and
    <bullet> Construct 9.1 miles of 36-inch-diameter loop.

The Uniontown Discharge

    <bullet> Replace 3.7 miles of the existing 24-inch-diameter Line 1 
with 36-inch-diameter pipeline.

The Bedford Discharge

    <bullet> Replace 6.8 miles of the existing 24-inch-diameter Line 1 
with 36-inch-diameter pipeline.

The Chambersburg Discharge

    <bullet> Replace 2.1 miles of the existing 24-inch-diameter Line 1 
with 36-inch-diameter pipeline, and the Chambersburg Alternative would 
consist of about 12.5 miles of additional pipeline replacement with 36-
inch-diameter pipeline.

The Heidlersburg Discharge

    <bullet> Replace 2.4 miles of the existing 24-inch-diameter Line 1 
with 36-inch-diameter pipeline.

The Marietta Extension

    <bullet> Replace 1.7 miles of the existing 24-inch-diameter Line 1 
with 36-inch-diameter pipeline;
    <bullet> Utilize 0.8 mile of existing 36-inch-diameter pipeline 
crossing the Susquehanna River; and
    <bullet> Construct 26.5 miles of new 30-inch-diameter pipeline 
lateral to the interconnect with Transco.

The Holbrook Compressor Station

    <bullet> Abandon one 2,000-horsepower (hp) reciprocating gas-
powered compressor unit; and
    <bullet> Install a 13,333-hp turbine-driven centrifugal compressor.

The Uniontown Compressor Station

    <bullet> Install a 20,000-hp electric-powered compressor unit.

The Bedford Compressor Station

    <bullet> Install pressure regulators on Line 1 and 2.

The Chambersburg Compressor

    <bullet> Abandon three reciprocating gas-powered compressor units 
totaling 7,500 hp;
    <bullet> Install a new 27,000-hp electric-powered compressor unit; 
and
    <bullet> Add 3,330 hp to the existing electric-powered compressor 
unit.

The Heidlersburg Compressor Station

    <bullet> Install a 22,000-hp electric-powered compressor unit.
    The Chambersburg Alternative was filed in the event that 
electricity is not available to support the proposed horsepower 
modifications at the proposed Heidlersburg Compressor Station in Adams 
County. Specifically, the Chambersburg Alternative consists of adding 
an additional 12.5 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline replacement to 
the Chambersburg Discharge. The power company supplying the electric 
power to the proposed additional compression at the Heidlersburg 
Compressor Station is conducting a study to determine if the 
electricity is available to support the station modification. To ensure 
the projects can supply the proposed natural gas volume on schedule, 
this alternative was developed in the event the electricity for the 
compressor station is not available.
    The general location of the planned facilities and the Chambersburg 
Alternative is shown in appendix A.\3\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices are 
available on the Commission's Web site at the ``eLibrary'' link or 
from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502-8371. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the ``Additional Information'' 
section of this notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail. Requests for detailed maps 
of the proposed facilities should be made directly to Texas Eastern.
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Land Requirement for Construction

    Construction of the TEMAX/TIME III Projects would require about 
602.1 acres of land including pipeline, aboveground facilities, 
appurtenant facilities, and pipe storage and contractor yards. 
Following construction, about 543.2 acres would be used for operation 
of the proposed facilities. If constructed, the Chambersburg 
Alternative would require an additional 184.0 acres for construction. 
The area disturbed during construction but not required for operation 
and would generally be allowed to revert to pre-construction condition.
    The planned pipeline loops would be located within and directly 
adjacent to Texas Eastern's existing pipeline facilities to the extent 
practicable. Construction and operation of the modifications to 
existing compressor stations would occur within the existing 
facilities.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impact that could 
result whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public 
Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us \4\ to discover and 
address concerns the public may have about proposals. This process is 
referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to 
focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. By 
this Supplemental NOI, the Commission staff requests public comments on 
the scope of the issues to address in the EA, and specifically for 
comments on the Chambersburg Alternative.\5\ All comments received will 
be considered during the preparation of the EA. State and local 
government representatives are encouraged to notify their constituents 
of this proposed action and encourage them to comment on their areas of 
concern.
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    \4\ ''We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
    \5\ The original NOI for the TEMAX and TIME III Projects was 
issued on November 18, 2008, and the scoping period closed on 
December 19, 2008. The original NOI was sent to affected landowners; 
Federal, State, and local government agencies; elected officials; 
Native American groups; other interested parties; and local 
libraries and newspapers.
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    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the Projects under these general 
headings:
    <bullet> Geology and soils;
    <bullet> Land use and visual quality;
    <bullet> Water quality and wetlands;
    <bullet> Cultural resources;
    <bullet> Vegetation and wildlife;
    <bullet> Threatened and endangered species;
    <bullet> Air quality and noise; and
    <bullet> Reliability and safety.

[[Page 11937]]

    We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed 
projects or portions of the projects, and make recommendations on how 
to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in the EA. 
Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA 
may be published and mailed to Federal, State, and local agencies; 
public interest groups; Native American Tribes; interested individuals; 
affected landowners; newspapers; libraries; and the Commission's 
official service list for this proceeding. A comment period will be 
allotted for review when the EA is published. We will consider all 
comments on the EA before we make our recommendations to the 
Commission. To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully 
follow the instructions in the Public Participation section below.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    Based on our review of Texas Eastern's recently filed Chambersburg 
Alternative and preliminary consultations with other agencies, we have 
already identified several environmental issues that we think deserve 
attention. This preliminary list of issues for the Chambersburg 
Alternative may be changed based on your comments and our analysis:
    <bullet> Location near the Michaux State Forest;
    <bullet> Crosses the Caledonia State Park; and
    <bullet> Crosses the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the TEMAX/TIME III Projects. Your comments 
should focus on the potential environmental effects of the proposal, 
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental 
impact. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. 
To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please 
send in your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC 
on or before April 13, 2009.
    For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit 
your written comments to the Commission. In all instances, please 
reference the project docket number CP09-68-000 with your submission. 
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has 
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258 
or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e683808f8a8f8881a680839485c8818990"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="dbbebdb2b7b2b5bc9bbdbea9b8f5bcb4ad">[email protected]</span></a>.
    (1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick 
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's internet Web site 
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick 
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only 
comments on a project;
    (2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site at 
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling 
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if 
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard 
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users 
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or 
``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you are 
making. A comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment on 
a Filing;'' or
    (3) You may file your comments via mail to the Commission by 
sending an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose, 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., 
Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
    Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 1, 
PJ-11.1.

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may 
become an ``intervenor,'' which is an official party to the proceeding 
now that Texas Eastern has formally filed its application with the 
Commission. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are 
able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if 
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor 
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to 
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the 
User's Guide under the ``eFiling'' link on the Commission's Internet 
Web site.

Environmental Mailing List

    An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the planned project. This includes all landowners who are 
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily 
for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the 
Commission's regulations of certain aboveground facilities.
    If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to 
remain on our mailing list, please return the Information Request 
(Appendix B). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be 
taken off the mailing list.

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the 
FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. 
Click on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the 
docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number 
field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2e684b5c4d61404247404b7d5b5e5e415c5a6e484b5c4d00494158"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9adcffe8f9d5f4f6f3f4ffc9efeaeaf5e8eedafcffe8f9b4fdf5ec">[email protected]</span></a> or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202)502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the 
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, 
notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called 
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances 
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time 
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries and direct links to 
the documents. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx 
along with other related information.
    Finally, to request additional information on the project or to 
provide comments directly to the project sponsor, you can contact Texas 
Eastern directly by calling toll free at 1-800-831-0043. Also, Texas 
Eastern has established an Internet Web site at http://www.spectraenergy.com/what_we_do/projects/temax_timeiii/ with 
additional information about the projects.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-6077 Filed 3-19-09; 8:45 am]
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