Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Energy

###### Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

          - [Docket Nos. CP00-129-000 and CP00-132-000]

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the natural gas pipeline facilities proposed by Horizon Pipeline Company L.L.C. (Horizon) and Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (Natural) in the above-referenced dockets.

The EA was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. The staff concludes that approval of the proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the following proposed natural gas transmission facilities:
    - Approximately 28.5 miles of new 36-inch-diameter pipeline and leased firm capacity on 42 miles of existing pipeline facilities;
    - Approximately 0.13 mile of new 24-inch-diameter piping, auxiliary piping, and valves at Natural's existing Compressor Station 113;
    - Approximately 12,590 horsepower (hp) of additional compression at Compressor Station 113;
    - Approximately 0.05 mile of new 20-inch-diameter lateral;
    - Approximately 0.01 mile of new 12-inch-diameter lateral;
    - Four meter stations;
    - Two mainline block valves;
    - Three taps; and
    - Modified station pipping at Natural's existing Streamwood Meter Station.

The purpose of the proposed facilities is to provide a firm capacity of 380 thousand dekatherms per day (MDth/d) of natural gas that would accommodate the continued growth in demand for additional competitively-priced gas supply in northern Illinois.

The EA has been placed in the public files of the FERC. A limited number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 208-1371.

Copies of the EA have been mailed to Federal, state and local agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, newspapers, and parties to this proceeding.

Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. To ensure consideration prior to a Commission decision on the proposal, it is important that we receive your comments before the date specified below. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are received in time and properly recorded:
    - Send an original and two copies of your comments to: Secretary, Federal Energy, Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
    - Label one copy of the comments for the attention of the Gas Group 1, PJ-11.1;
    - Reference Docket Nos. CP00-129-000 and CP00-132-000; and
    - Mail your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or before June 6, 2001.

                    Comments, protests and interventions may also be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's web site at                     *http://www.ferc.fed.us/​efi/​doorbell.htm*                     under the link to the User's Guide. Before you can file comments you will need to create an account which can be created by clicking on “Login to File” and then “New User Account.”                

                    Comments will be considered by the Commission but will not serve to make the commentor a party to the proceeding. Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214).[1]                                          Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision.                

                    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be granted                           ( print page 27501)                        intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered.                

Additional information about the proposed project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (202) 208-1088 or on the FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us) using the “RIMS” link to information in this docket number. Click on the “RIMS” link, select “Docket #” from the RIMS Menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to RIMS, the RIMS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2222.

Similarly, the “CIPS” link on the FERC Internet website provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. From the FERC Internet website, click on the “CIPS” link, select “Docket #” from the CIPS menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.

David P. Boergers,

Secretary.

# Footnotes

1.                             Interventions may also be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing comments electronically.                    
        Back to Citation      

[FR Doc. 01-12401  Filed 5-16-01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-M