Document ID: FERC-2020-1062-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Review: Northern Natural Gas Co.; Auburn A-Line Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project
Posted Date: 2020-08-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 159 (Monday, August 17, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 50019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17917]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP20-479-000]

Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of The 2021 Auburn A-Line Abandonment and Capacity 
Replacement Project

    On June 11, 2020, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP20-479-000 requesting abandonment 
authorization and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity 
pursuant to Section 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon, 
construct, and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities in 
Lancaster, Otoe, Johnson, and Nemaha counties, Nebraska. The proposed 
project is known as the 2021 Auburn A-Line Abandonment and Capacity 
Replacement Project (Project), and Northern states it would modernize 
Northern's pipeline system, improve reliability, and enable safer long-
term operation of the system.
    On June 25, 2020, 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 December 11, 2020
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline March 11, 2021

    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 31.7 miles of 4- to 6-inch-
diameter A-line in Lancaster, Otoe, Johnson, and Nemaha counties, 
Nebraska. In addition, Northern proposes to construct and operate about 
4.4 miles of new 8-inch-diameter pipeline and install a launcher and a 
regulation station in Lancaster and Otoe counties, Nebraska.

Background

    On July 24, 2020, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 2021 Auburn A-Line 
Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project and Request for Comments 
on Environmental Issues (NOI). The NOI 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. 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 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 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 excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP20-479), 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 
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. 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: August 11, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.

[FR Doc. 2020-17917 Filed 8-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P