Document ID: FERC-2023-1636-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Issues: MountainWest Overthrust Pipeline, LLC, Westbound Compression Expansion Project
Posted Date: 2023-12-20T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 88067-88070]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27989]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP24-13-000]

MountainWest Overthrust Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Westbound 
Compression 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 Westbound Compression Expansion 
Project (Westbound Project) involving construction and operation of 
facilities by MountainWest Overthrust Pipeline, LLC (Overthrust) in 
Sweetwater, Lincoln, and Uinta Counties, Wyoming. The Commission will 
use this environmental document in its decision-making process to 
determine whether the Westbound 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 Westbound 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 January 16, 2024. 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.

[[Page 88068]]

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 November 2, 2023, you will need to file 
those comments in Docket No. CP24-13-000 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, an Overthrust 
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, Overthrust 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.
    Overthrust 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, Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your 
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
    (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 (CP24-
13-000) 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 Energy Regulatory Commission, 
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and 
submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These 
instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification 
and provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of 
time you spend researching proceedings. 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].

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Overthrust proposes to construct and operate an expansion of its 
existing natural gas transmission system at its existing Point of Rocks 
and Rock Springs Compressor Stations in Sweetwater County, Wyoming 
including related aboveground facilities in Uinta and Lincoln Counties, 
Wyoming. Overthrust would provide an additional 325,000 dekatherms per 
day (Dth/day) of year-round firm transportation capacity on its 
existing mainline. Overthrust anticipates providing western and 
northwestern U.S. gas markets with greater access to eastern gas 
supplies.
    The Westbound Project would consist of the following facilities and 
activities, all in Wyoming:
     addition of one gas-fired turbine driven compressor unit 
with 15,900 nominal horsepower (hp) at the existing Point of Rocks 
Compressor Station in Sweetwater County;
     addition of one gas-fired turbine driven compressor unit 
with 15,900 nominal hp at the existing Rock Springs Compressor Station 
in Sweetwater County;
     an approximate 1,400-foot-long, 24-inch-diameter pipe 
interconnect (JTL-148) extending from a new tap on Overthrust's 
mainline 122 at its existing North Rendezvous Tap facility to a new 
meter station being constructed by Kern River Gas Transmission at an 
existing site in Lincoln County;
     upgrades to the existing Rockies Express Pipeline 
Wamsutter Meter Station to accommodate additional gas volumes in 
Sweetwater County;
     upgrades at three existing facilities--Roberson Compressor 
Station (new pig launcher and receiver \1\ in Lincoln County), Cabin 31 
Interconnect Pipeline Facility (new pig launcher in Sweetwater County), 
and Opal Interconnect Pipeline Facility (new pig launcher in Lincoln 
County), to support in-line inspections along the Overthrust mainline; 
and
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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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     modifications to Overthrust's existing Granger 
Interconnect Facility to accommodate new flow conditions in Sweetwater 
County.
    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. For 
assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll 
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.

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[[Page 88069]]

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 61.8 
acres of land for the compressor stations and other aboveground 
facilities. Following construction, Overthrust would maintain about 
50.3 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities. The 
remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. 
Overthrust would utilize a 50-foot-wide operational (permanent) right-
of-way pipeline easement that would be restored and revegetated 
following construction.

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;
     socioeconomics and environmental justice;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    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, which will open up an 
additional comment period. 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 Commission's natural gas 
environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you 
will receive 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. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management has expressed its 
intention to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of 
the environmental document to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related 
to the Westbound Project.
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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 Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office, and to 
solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested 
Indian tribes, and the public on 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

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; environmental justice 
stakeholders, 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, and 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 CP24-13-000 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 Westbound 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. 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-

[[Page 88070]]

events/events along with other related information.

    Dated: December 14, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-27989 Filed 12-19-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P