[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 243 (Tuesday, December 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65199-65201]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31061]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP02-24-000]


PG&E Gas Transmission, Northwest Corp.; Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 2003 Expansion 
Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

December 11, 2001.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the PG&E Gas Transmission, 
Northwest Corporation's (PG&E Transmission) 2003 Expansion Project in 
Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.\1\ These facilities would consist of 
about 54 miles of pipeline and 19,500 horsepower (hp) of compression. 
This EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process 
to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and 
necessity.
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    \1\ PG&E Gas Transmission, Northwest Corporation's application 
in Docket No. CP02-24-000 was filed with the Commission under 
Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act.
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    If you are a landowner on PG&E Transmission's proposed route and 
receive this notice, you may be contacted by a pipeline company 
representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct, 
operate, and maintain the proposed 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 state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' was attached to the 
project notice Western Frontier provided to landowners along and 
adjacent to the proposed route. 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. It is available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet web site (www.ferc.gov).
    This notice is being sent to landowners of property crossed by and 
adjacent to PG&E Transmission's proposed route; Federal, state, and 
local agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest 
groups; and local libraries and newspapers. Additionally, with this 
notice we are asking those Federal, state, local and tribal agencies 
with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to 
environmental issues to cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA. 
These agencies may choose to participate once they have evaluated the 
proposal relative to their agencies' responsibilities. Agencies who 
would like to request cooperating agency status should follow the 
instructions for filing comments described below.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    PG&E Transmission proposes to expand the capacity of its existing 
mainline system by constructing a total of 53.6 miles of new natural 
gas pipeline loop \2\ (42-inch-diameter) and to upgrade compression at 
its existing Compressor Station 14. PG&E Transmission requests 
Commission authorization, to construct, install, own, operate, and 
maintain the following facilities:
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    \2\ A loop is a segment of pipeline installed adjacent to an 
existing pipeline and connected to it at both ends. The loop allows 
more gas to be moved through the system.
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    <bullet> About 18.4 miles of 42-inch-diameter loop in Boundary 
County, Idaho, including modifications to Compressor Station 3 and 
Mainline Valve (MLV) 3-1 (Segment 3);
    <bullet> About 16.7 miles of 42-inch-diameter loop in Spokane and 
Whitman Counties, Washington, including modifications to Compressor 
Station 6 and MLV 6-1 (Segment 6);
    <bullet> About 12.7 miles of 42-inch-diameter loop in Walla Walla 
County, Washington, including modifications to Compressor Station 7 and 
MLV 7-1 (Segment 7);
    <bullet> About 5.8 miles of 42-inch-diameter loop in Umatilla 
County, Oregon, include modifications to MLV 8-1 and MLV 8-2;
    <bullet> One new 19,500 horsepower (hp) gas turbine-driven 
compressor to be installed at PG&E Transmission's existing Compressor 
Station 14 in Klamath County, Oregon; and
    <bullet> Associated pipeline facilities, including four pig 
launchers, four pig receivers, and 5 mainline block valves.
    The general location of PG&E Transmission's proposed project 
facilities is shown on the map attached as appendix 1.\3\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the 
Commission's website at the ``RIMS'' link or from the Commission's 
Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, 888 First Street, NE, 
Room 2A, Washington DC 20426, or call (202) 208-1371. For 
instructions on connecting to RIMS refer to the last page of this 
notice. Copies of the appendices were sent to all those receiving 
this notice in the mail.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    PG&E Transmission would construct a total of about 54 miles of new 
pipeline loop, of which about 18 miles would be in Idaho, 30 miles 
would be in Washington, and 6 miles would be in Oregon. Construction of 
the loop would require about 860 acres of land. Of this total, about 
849.4 acres would be temporary right-of-way and about 10.5 acres would 
be maintained as new permanent right-of-way. PG&E Transmission would 
also require the use of about 157.9 acres of extra workspace for its 
ancillary areas, aboveground facility expansions, and access roads.
    PG&E Transmission's existing permanent right-of-way for its 
mainline system on private lands is 100 feet wide, containing the two 
parallel existing pipelines, Pipelines A and B. The proposed loop 
(Pipeline C) would generally be constructed 30 feet east of Pipeline B, 
using the existing 100-foot-wide permanent right-of-way as the 
construction right-of-way. PG&E Transmission states that no new 
permanent right-of-way would be acquired for construction of the 
proposed Pipeline C, except for some properties. After construction, 
the existing 100-foot-wide permanent right-of-way would be retained, 
and would typically result in a permanent right-of-way 90 feet west and 
10 feet east of the Proposed Pipeline C.
    In some site-specific locations, PG&E Transmission would install 
the new loop 20 feet east of Pipeline B, instead of 30 feet. This 
decrease in separation between Pipeline C and B would occur in areas 
with residences or other structures in close proximity to the eastern 
permanent right-of-way boundary. By moving the proposed pipeline closer 
to Pipeline B, PG&E Transmission would increase the distance between 
Pipeline C and the edge of the right-of-way. This alignment would also 
be installed entirely within PG&E Transmission's 100-foot-wide 
permanent right-of-way.
    On federal lands, PG&E Transmission would obtain another Right-of-
way Grant from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for an additional 
overlapping 53.5 -foot easement and would install the new Pipeline C 
with a nominal 30-foot separation from Pipeline B. For this project, 
the total width of permanent right-of-way, including the existing and 
new easements, would be a maximum of 110 feet in width. On federal 
lands, except for extra workspace for slopes and at road, railroad, 
stream, and

[[Page 65200]]

wetland crossings, no temporary right-of-way would be used as part of 
the construction right-of-way.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action 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. We call this ``scoping''. The main goal of the scoping 
process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important 
environmental issues. By this Notice of Intent, the Commission requests 
public comments on the scope of the issues it will address in the EA. 
All comments received are 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'', ``our'' refer to the environmental staff of 
the Office of Energy Projects (OEP).
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    Our independent analysis of the issues will be published in the EA 
which will be mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies, public 
interest groups, affected landowners and other interested individuals, 
newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's official service list for 
this proceeding. A 30-day comment period will be allotted for review of 
and comment on the EA. We will consider all comments on the EA and it 
will be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to 
determine whether to approve the project.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project. We have already 
identified a number of issues that we think deserve attention based on 
a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and the environmental 
information provided by PG&E Transmission. These issues are listed 
below. This is a preliminary list of issues and may be changed based on 
your comments and our analysis.
    <bullet> Geology and Soils

--Mixing of topsoil and subsoil during construction.
--Compaction of soil by heavy equipment.
--Erosion control and right-of-way restoration.
--Potential geologic hazards, including seismic activity.

    <bullet> Water Resources and Wetlands

--Potential effects on groundwater resources.
--Effects on private water supply wells.
--Effects on 20 perennial waterbodies, including six crossings of the 
Moyie River.
--Effects on about 2.6 acres of wetlands.

    <bullet> Biological Resources

--Short- and long-term effects of right-of-way clearing and maintenance 
on grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas, and vegetation communities of 
special concern.
--Effects on wildlife and species of concern, including raptors;
--Effects on fishery habitats, including four federally listed fish 
species;
--Potential effects on federally listed species, such as the gray wolf, 
grizzly bear, Sellkirk Mountains Woodland Caribou, Ute ladies' tresses 
and habitats for the bald eagle, gray wolf and lynx in Idaho; and water 
howellia and Ute ladie' tresses in Washington.
--Potential impact on USFS sensitive species.
--Potential impact on state-listed sensitive species.

    <bullet> Cultural Resources

--Effects on historic and prehistoric sites.
--Native American concerns.

    <bullet> Land Use

--Effects on agricultural lands.
--Potential impacts on residential areas.
--Effects on recreation areas.
--Effects of about 3.9 miles of crossing USFS, Panhandle National 
Forest lands (Segment 3).
--Potential impacts on future land uses and consistency with local land 
use plans and zoning.
--Visual/aesthetic effects of constructing the project.

    <bullet> Air Quality and Noise

--Construction impacts on local air quality and noise environment.
--Impact on local air quality and noise environment as a result of 
operation of the upgraded compressor stations.

    <bullet> Pipeline Reliability and Safety

--Assessment of public safety factors associated with natural gas 
pipelines.

    <bullet> Alternatives

--Assessment of alternative routes, systems or energy sources to lessen 
or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your 
concerns will be addressed in the EA and considered by the Commission. 
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the 
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative routes), 
and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The more specific 
your comments, the more useful they will be. Please carefully follow 
these instructions to ensure that your comments are received in time 
and properly recorded:
    <bullet> Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Linwood 
A. Watson, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 
First Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
    <bullet> Label one copy of the comments for the attention of the 
Environmental Gas Branch I, PJ-11.1;
    <bullet> Reference Docket Nos. CP02-24-000;
    <bullet> Mail your comments so that they will be received in 
Washington, DC on or before January 11, 2002.
    Federal and state agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service and the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, are invited to participate as cooperating 
agencies in the preparation of the EA. If any agency is interested in 
participating with the Commission on this basis, please write to the 
Secretary with this request at the address listed above.
    Comments, protests and interventions may 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.gov 
under the ``e-Filing'' link and 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.''
    Everyone who responds to this notice or comments throughout the EA 
process will be retained on our mailing list. 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 3). If you do not 
return the Information Request, you will be taken off the mailing list.

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an official party to the proceeding or become an 
``intervenor.'' Intervenors play a more formal role in the process. 
Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of 
case-related Commission documents and filings by other intervenors. 
Likewise, each intervenor must provide 14 copies of its filings to

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the Secretary of the Commission and must send a copy of its filings to 
all other parties on the Commission's service list for this proceeding. 
If you want to become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene 
according to rule 214 of the Commission's rules of practice and 
procedure (18 CFR 385.214) (see appendix 2).\5\ Only intervenors have 
the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision.
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    \5\ Interventions may also be filed electronically via the 
Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing 
comments electronically.
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    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be 
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they 
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding that would not be 
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor 
status to have your environmental comments considered.

Availability of Additional Information

    Copies of this filing are on file with the Commission and are 
available for public inspection. This filing may also be viewed on the 
web at http://www.ferc.gov using the ``RIMS'' link, select ``Docket#'' 
and follow the instructions (call 202-208-2222 for assistance).
    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 <greek-i>'' from the CIPS 
Menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to CIPS, 
the CIPS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-31061 Filed 12-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P