Document ID: FERC-2023-1691-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Eastern Shore Natural Gas Co., Worcester Resiliency Upgrade Project
Posted Date: 2023-12-29T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 249 (Friday, December 29, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 90177-90178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28754]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-536-000]

Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Worcester Resiliency 
Upgrade Project

    On August 31, 2023, Eastern Shore Natural Gas Company (Eastern 
Shore), filed an application in Docket No. CP23-536-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural 
gas pipeline facilities in Delaware and Maryland. The proposed project 
is known as the Worcester Resiliency Upgrade Project (Project), and 
would store approximately 475,000 gallons of liquified natural gas, 
equivalent to 39,627 Dekatherms, and provide 14,000 Dekatherms per day 
of corresponding peak firm natural gas transportation service, as well 
as enhance the resiliency of Eastern Shore's system.
    On September 15, 2023, 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--April 26, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--July 25, 2024
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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.

    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

    Specifically, the proposed Project includes construction and 
operation of five new facilities and upgrades to four existing 
facilities including:
     Bishopville Facility, Worcester County, Maryland: 
construct a 10.56-acre liquified natural gas storage and vaporization 
facility situated within a rural 135-acre parcel that includes five 
100,000 gallon horizontal storage tanks;
     Bishopville Tie-in, Worcester County, Maryland: construct 
0.43 mile of 8-inch-diameter pipeline to connect the Bishopville 
Facility to Eastern Shore's existing Milford pipeline;

[[Page 90178]]

     Millsboro Controller Upgrade, Sussex County, Delaware: 
upgrade an existing station to install two new control valve runs to 
provide pressure and directional control;
     Millsboro Tie-in, Sussex County, Delaware: construct 0.35 
mile of 10-inch-diameter pipeline extension to connect the upgraded 
Millsboro Controller to the Eastern Shore's existing Milford pipeline;
     Berlin Meter and Regulating Station Upgrade, Worcester 
County, Maryland: replace approximately 350 feet of existing 
belowground 3-inch tie-in with a new 4-inch tie-in;
     Thompson Meter and Regulating Station Upgrade, Somerset 
County, Maryland: replace existing station meters;
     Selbyville Meter and Regulating Station Upgrade, Sussex 
County, Delaware: replace existing meter and regulator facilities;
     Delmar Receiver, Wicomico County, Maryland: install new 
aboveground Rupture Mitigation Valve and In-line Inspection Receiver 
and an access road located at the new connection between the Delmar 
Loop and the Parkesburg Line at the southern end of the Delmar Loop 
collocated east of U.S. Route 13; and
     Delmar Loop, Wicomico County, Maryland and Sussex County, 
Delaware: construct 1.14 miles of 10-inch-diameter looping natural gas 
pipeline collocated with an existing Eastern Shore pipeline and U.S. 
Route 13.

Background

    On October 11, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Worcester Resiliency Upgrade Project (Notice of Scoping), and on 
November 22, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Public Scoping 
Session. Both the Notice of Scoping and the Notice of Public Scoping 
Session were 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 State Delegate Wayne Hartman, 
Commissioner Chip Bertino, Senator Mary Beth Carozzi, and Director of 
Worcester County Department of Environmental Programs, Robert Mitchell. 
As stated in the Notice of Public Scoping Session, Commission staff 
held a public meeting for the Project on December 13, 2023. Comments 
were in support of the proposed Project, with no environmental concerns 
raised by the commenters. All substantive comments will be addressed in 
the EA.
    There are currently no cooperating agencies in the preparation of 
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.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
    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'' excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP23-536), 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.

Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-28754 Filed 12-28-23; 8:45 am]
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