Document ID: FERC-2022-0417-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Northern Natural Gas Co.; Ogden to Ventura A-Line Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project
Posted Date: 2022-04-12T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21647-21648]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07807]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-42-000]

Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Ogden to Ventura A-
Line Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project

    On January 21, 2022, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed 
an application in Docket No. CP22-42-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Sections 7(b) and 7(c) of 
the Natural Gas Act to construct, operate, and abandon certain natural 
gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the Ogden To 
Ventura A-Line Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project (Project). 
Northern proposes to abandon in-place two segments of its A-line 
system, totaling 82.7 miles, in Boone, Webster, Wright, and Hancock 
Counties, Iowa and replace the abandoned capacity by extending the D-
line in Wright County, Iowa. Northern states the Project would not 
result in a loss of service to its customers and would have no impact 
on Northern's ability to serve markets on its system.
    On February 4, 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
environmental document for the Project.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule 
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
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    \1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020)
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Schedule for Environmental Review

    Issuance of EA July 15, 2022.
    90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ October 13, 
2022.
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    \2\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other 
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally 
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal 
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed 
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the 
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a 
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.
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    If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    Northern proposes to abandon in-place 82.7 miles of 20-inch-
diameter pipeline and appurtenances on its IAM60601 A-line system 
(referred to as the A-Line) from Ogden to Ventura, Iowa. Ground 
disturbances would be required at three locations to expose and to cut 
and cap the pipeline prior to abandonment. Additionally, Northern 
proposes to install temporary compression at three mainline valve 
locations to allow for the evacuation of

[[Page 21648]]

gas in the A-line to other existing mainlines on Northern's system. 
Northern also proposes to construct and operate a 6.04-mile-long 
extension of its 30-inch-diameter Ogden to Ventura IAM60604 D-line 
(referred to as the D-Line) and appurtenances to replace the capacity 
associated with the abandoned A-line. According to Northern, its 
Project would enhance the safety, reliability, security, and 
operational efficiency of its pipeline system.
    The Project would consist of the following facilities:
     Disconnecting the 20-inch-diameter A-Line near the Ogden 
Compressor Station in Boone County, Iowa;
     disconnecting the 20-inch-diameter A-Line at the Eagle 
Grove branch line take-off in Wright County, Iowa;
     installing temporary compression at three discrete 
locations (one 300 horsepower unit within Boone, Webster, and Hancock 
Counties) to evacuate gas from the A-Line to the IAM60602 B-line;
     disconnecting the 20-inch-diameter A-Line at the Ventura 
Compressor Station in Hancock County, Iowa; and
     installing a pipeline extension of the D-Line consisting 
of 6.04 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline and an associated 
aboveground pig receiver \3\ in Wright County, Iowa.
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    \3\ 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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Background

    On March 4, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Ogden to 
Ventura A-Line Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project (Notice of 
Scoping). The Notice of Scoping was sent to affected landowners; 
federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. In response to 
the Notice of Scoping, the Commission received comments from six 
landowners. The primary issues raised by the commenters are impacts on 
agricultural land; final disposition of the pipeline; and an objection 
to the Project pending the applicant provide additional information to 
identify affected properties. All substantive comments will be 
addressed in the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.
    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the ``eLibrary'' link, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' (i.e., CP22-42), and follow the 
instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can 
be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at 
[email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also 
provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: April 6, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-07807 Filed 4-11-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P