Document ID: FERC-2018-1212-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Portland Xpress Project
Posted Date: 2018-09-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 185 (Monday, September 24, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 48300]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20678]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP18-506-000]

Portland Natural Gas Transmission System; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Portland Xpress Project

    On June 18, 2018, Portland Natural Gas Transmission System filed an 
application in Docket No. CP18-506-000 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 Cumberland and York Counties, Maine and Middlesex County, 
Massachusetts. The proposed project is known as the Portland Xpress 
Project (Project), and it would provide transportation of natural gas 
to New England and Atlantic Canada markets by supplying 214,375 million 
cubic feet per day (Mcf/d) of natural gas to New England on wholly-
owned PNGTS facilities and 22,339 Mcf/d on the PNGTS and Maritimes 
jointly-owned facilities.
    On June 28, 2018, 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 Assessment (EA) for the Project. This instant notice 
identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for the completion of the 
EA for the Project.

Schedule for Environmental Review

    Issuance of EA--November 27, 2018.
    90-day Federal--Authorization Decision Deadline February 25, 2019.
    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

    The Project would require modifications at the existing Westbrook 
Compressor Station in Cumberland County, Maine; the addition of one new 
6,300 horsepower gas-fired compression unit at the Eliot Compressor 
Station in York County, Maine; and installation of miscellaneous 
facilities at the Dracut Meter and Regulator Station in Middlesex 
County, Massachusetts.

Background

    On July 12, 2018, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Portland Xpress 
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI 
was sent to affected landowners within 0.5 mile of the existing 
facilities; 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 NOI, the Commission received comments regarding 
vegetated areas of concern at the Eliot Compressor Station and well 
water testing.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This can 
reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by 
automatically providing you with notification of these filings, 
document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to 
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    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., 
CP18-506), 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: September 18, 2018.
Kimberly D. Bose,
 Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-20678 Filed 9-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P