[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 245 (Thursday, December 20, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65697-65698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-31310]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP02-31-000]


Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P.; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment and Request for Comments

December 14, 2001.
    On November 20, 2001, Iroquois Gas Transmission System, L.P., 
(Iroquois) filed an application to construct and to operate a new 
compressor station at Brookfield, Connecticut. Iroquois' application 
was filed with the Commission under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act 
and Part 157 of the Commission's regulations. The application was 
noticed on November 29, 2001. On December 5, 2001, Commission staff 
conducted a site visit and met with numerous Brookfield property 
owners. Based on review of the application, the site visit, and 
comments received during the site visit, we have decided to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of 
the proposed project. Comments received in response to this notice will 
be used in a scoping process to identify the issues to be evaluated in 
the EA. The Commission will consider the EA prior to taking any final 
action on the application.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Iroquois requests authorization to construct and to operate a 
compressor station near an existing meter station on High Meadow Road, 
in the county of Fairfield, in Brookfield , Connecticut. Iroquois has 
an option to purchase a 65 acre parcel bounded by High Meadow Road, an 
existing meter station, residential property, Whisconier Middle School, 
railroad tracks, and a pond. On that parcel, Iroquois would install or 
construct:
    <bullet> a new 10,000 horsepower compressor;
    <bullet> a turbo-compressor building and 3 additional control/
monitoring/maintenance buildings;
    <bullet> a 500-foot long access road;
    <bullet> security fence;
    <bullet> water well; and septic system.
    All proposed construction would occur either on the 65-acre parcel 
described above or on the existing 3.3 acre meter station, owned by 
Iroquois.

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 
Commission staff to discover and address concerns the public may have 
about proposals. This is called ``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 to be addressed 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 to encourage them to 
comment on their areas of concern.
    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on our preliminary review. This list may change based 
on receipt of additional information and comments.
    <bullet> Any potential threat of operation of the compressor 
station to life, health, and property at Whisconier Middle School and 
adjoining properties.
    <bullet> Noise from compressor operation and system blow downs.
    <bullet> Visual compatibility of existing and proposed structures 
with local architecture and visual setting.
    <bullet> Visual screening of existing and proposed facilities.
    <bullet> Degradation of local air quality and the potential for 
formation of a steam plume from the cooling vents.
    <bullet> Design constraints that limit the potential location of 
alternative sites.
    <bullet> Impacts of construction and operation to property values 
in the adjoining community.
    By this notice, Iroquois is encouraged to provide any additional 
information regarding the above issues to supplement its application by 
the close of the comment period described in the public participation 
section.
    The EA will also evaluate possible alternatives to the proposed 
project and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts. An 
independent analysis of issues will be 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 groups, 
interested individuals, affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and 
the Commission's official service list for this proceeding. A comment 
period will be allotted for review if 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 section that follows.

Public Participation

    Your comments are requested. To ensure that your comments are 
addressed in the EA, we request that you file your environmental 
comments with the Commission as directed below:
    <bullet> Send an original and two copies of your letter to Linwood 
Watson, Jr., Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
888 First Street, NE, Room 1A Washington, DC 20426.
    <bullet> Label one copy for the attention of GHG.
    <bullet> Reference Docket No. CP02-31-000 in the cover letter.
    <bullet> Mail your comments so that they are received on or before 
January 18, 2002.
    Comments 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.gov under the ``efiling'' link 
and the link to the User's Guide.

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become a party to the proceeding known as an ``intervenor''. 
Intervenors have the right to receive copies of material filed with the 
Commission and any case-related issuances by the Commission. Further, 
an intervenor also has the right to request rehearing on the 
Commission's decision. An intervenor has certain responsibilities 
including, providing 14 copies of its filings to the Secretary of the 
Commission and must send a copy of its filings to the applicant and all 
other parties that intervened in the proceeding (Commission's service 
list). If you want to become an intervenor, you must file a motion to 
intervene according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practices 
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214). Requests to intervene may also be filed 
electronically.
    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be 
granted intervenor status upon showing clear and direct interest in 
this proceeding which would not be adequately represented by any other 
parties. You do not need to be an intervenor to have

[[Page 65698]]

your environmental comments considered.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the proposed project may be available 
from the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (202) 208-1088. 
Copies of the application and any case-specific filings or issuances 
are available on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) at the RIMS \1\ or 
CIPS \2\ links, using Docket No. CP02-31.
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    \1\ For assistance call (202) 208-2222.
    \2\ For assistance call (202) 208-2474.

Linwood A. Watson, Jr.,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-31310 Filed 12-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P