Document ID: FERC-2022-0652-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Issues: Equitrans, LP, Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project
Posted Date: 2022-05-27T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 103 (Friday, May 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32156-32158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11439]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-44-000]

Equitrans, L.P.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on 
Environmental Issues for the Proposed Ohio Valley Connector Expansion 
Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental document, that will discuss 
the environmental impacts of the Ohio Valley Connector Expansion 
Project (Project) involving construction and operation of facilities 
proposed by Equitrans L.P. (Equitrans) in Greene County, Pennsylvania; 
Wetzel County, West Virginia; and Monroe County, Ohio. The Commission 
will use this environmental document in its decision-making process to 
determine whether the Project is in the public convenience and 
necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies regarding the Project. As part of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account 
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental 
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the 
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This 
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal 
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental 
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information 
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA 
Process and Environmental Document section of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the 
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. To ensure 
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your 
comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or 
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 22, 2022. Comments may be 
submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments 
are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
    Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, 
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental 
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what 
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission 
staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the 
environmental document.
    If you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission before 
the opening of this docket on January 28, 2022, you will need to file 
those comments in Docket No. CP22-44-000 to ensure they are considered 
as part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for this Project. State and local government 
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed 
Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You 
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the Project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent 
domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach 
an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation 
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be 
determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The Commission does 
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that 
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle 
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these 
matters.
    Equitrans provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the 
FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do 
I Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including 
the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's 
proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of 
interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the Natural Gas Questions or Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and 
has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or 
[email protected]. Please carefully follow these instructions 
so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for 
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments 
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your 
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking 
on ``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 can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the Commission. Be sure to reference the Project docket number (CP22-
44-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service 
must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 
20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: 
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal

[[Page 32157]]

Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 
20852.
    Additionally, 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.

Project Purpose and Need and Summary of Proposed Project

    According to Equitrans, this Project would expand Equitrans' 
existing Ohio Valley Connector assets to deliver approximately 350,000 
dekatherms per day of incremental firm natural gas to the expanding 
mid-continent and Gulf Coast markets along the Rockies Express and 
Rover pipeline systems.
    Equitrans proposes to acquire and operate the existing non-
jurisdictional Cygrymus Compressor Station--located in Greene County, 
Pennsylvania--and install two new turbines. In addition, Equitrans 
would install one additional compressor unit each at the existing 
Corona Compressor Station in Wetzel County, West Virginia and at the 
existing Plasma Compressor Station in Monroe County, Ohio. Equitrans 
would also construct approximately 5.5 miles of pipeline and ancillary 
facilities in different locations related to the compressor stations.
    Specifically, the Ohio Valley Connector Expansion Project would 
consist of the following facilities:

Greene County, Pennsylvania

     addition of two Taurus 70 turbines at the existing 
Cygrymus Compressor Station;
     approximately 0.5 mile of 16-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline (H-327);
     approximately 0.5 mile of 12-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline (H-328);
     a deep anode groundbed and rectifier; and
     ancillary facilities, such as a valve yard, taps, and 
internal inspection device (e.g., pig \1\) launchers and receivers.
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    \1\ 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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Wetzel County, West Virginia

     addition of one Mars 100 compressor at the existing Corona 
Compressor Station;
     approximately 3.7 miles of new 24-inch-diameter natural 
gas pipeline (H-326);
     approximately 129 feet of new 8-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline (H-329);
     approximately 0.7 mile of new 16-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline (H-330);
     approximately 0.09 mile of new 16-inch-diameter natural 
gas pipeline (H-330 Spur);
     approximately 160 feet of new 12-inch-diameter natural gas 
pipeline; and
     ancillary facilities, such as mainline valves, valve 
yards, measuring equipment, and internal inspection device (e.g., pig 
launchers and receivers).

Monroe County, Ohio

     addition of one Titan 130 compressor at the existing 
Plasma Compressor Station.
    The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\2\
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    \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at 
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary.'' For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At 
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's 
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National 
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), 
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact 
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Based on the environmental information provided by Equitrans, 
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 117 acres 
of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipelines. Following 
construction, Equitrans would maintain about 32 acres for operation of 
the Project facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and 
revert to former uses. The proposed H-326, H-330, and H-330 spur 
pipelines would be collocated with existing pipelines for approximately 
58.8 percent, 76.8 percent, and 88.9 percent of the proposed 
alignments, respectively; and the H-327 and H-328 pipelines are 
parallel and would be located within a shared pipeline construction 
right-of-way.

The NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by the Commission will discuss 
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation 
of the proposed Project under the relevant general resource areas:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use and visual impacts
     socioeconomics and environmental justice;
     air quality, climate change, and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    Based on an initial review of Equitrans' proposal, supplement, and 
public comments received during Equitrans' open houses, Commission 
staff have identified several potential/expected impacts that deserve 
attention in the environmental document. Construction of the Project 
would potentially impact 13 waterbodies and about 0.4 acre of wetland, 
as well as affect noise, traffic, and road conditions. Construction and 
operation could impact/interfere with existing mining operations and 
have potential for an increased risk of landslides. Operation of the 
Project would also result in emissions estimated at 6.77 million metric 
tonnes per year of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the end use of 
the natural gas.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the 
proposed Project or portions of the Project and make recommendations on 
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your 
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues 
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially 
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental 
document.
    Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine 
whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental 
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission 
staff's independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff 
prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an 
Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an 
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely 
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed 
Project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued. Staff will then 
prepare a draft EIS which will be issued for public comment. Commission 
staff will consider all timely comments received during the comment 
period on the draft EIS and revise the document, as necessary, before 
issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and final EIS will be available in 
electronic format in the public record through eLibrary \3\ and the

[[Page 32158]]

Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive an instant email 
notification when the environmental document is issued.
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    \3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues of this Project to formally cooperate in the 
preparation of the environmental document.\4\ Agencies that would like 
to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for 
filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this 
notice.
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    \4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, section 1501.8.
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Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 
other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public to 
solicit their views and concerns regarding the Project's potential 
effects on historic properties.\5\ The environmental document for this 
Project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties 
and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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    \5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 800. Those 
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
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Environmental Mailing List

    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for the Project, which includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for Project purposes, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, as well as anyone who 
submits comments on the Project and includes a mailing address with 
their comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing 
list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related 
to this environmental review are sent to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the proposed Project.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would 
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of 
the following steps:
    (1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your 
request. You must include the docket number CP22-44-000 in your 
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure 
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to 
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and 
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to 
accept comments.
    OR
    (2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number 
in the ``Docket Number'' field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP22-44). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected] or (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 
502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all 
formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and 
rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with 
other related information.

    Dated: May 23, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-11439 Filed 5-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P