Document ID: FERC-2020-0986-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC; Regional Energy Access Expansion Project
Posted Date: 2020-07-30T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 147 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45869-45872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16518]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF20-3-000]

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Regional Energy 
Access Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 
and Notice of Public Virtual Scoping Sessions

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the Regional Energy Access 
Expansion Project involving construction and operation of facilities by 
Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (Transco) in Bucks, 
Chester, Delaware, Luzerne, Monroe, Northampton, Wyoming, and York 
Counties, Pennsylvania; and Burlington, Camden, Gloucester, Hunterdon, 
Mercer, Somerset, and Warren Counties, New Jersey; and Baltimore 
County, Maryland. The Commission will use this EA in its decision-
making process to determine whether the 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 about issues regarding the project. The National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the 
environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it 
considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to discover concerns the 
public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as 
``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the 
analysis

[[Page 45870]]

in the EA on the important environmental issues. By this notice, the 
Commission requests public comments on the scope of issues to address 
in the EA. 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 August 
24, 2020. Comments may be submitted in written or oral form. Further 
details on how to submit comments are provided in the Public 
Participation section of this notice.
    You can make a difference by submitting your specific comments or 
concerns about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential 
environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid 
or lessen environmental impacts. Your input will help the Commission 
staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission 
staff will consider all written or oral comments during the preparation 
of the EA.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on June 18, 2020, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. PF20-3-000 to ensure they are considered.
    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 planned 
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the planned 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, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation 
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be 
determined by a judge in accordance with state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know? is available for 
viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the natural gas 
Landowner Topics link. This fact sheet addresses a number of typically 
asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to 
participate in the Commission's proceedings.

Public Participation

    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.
    For your convenience, there are four methods you can use to submit 
your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow these 
instructions so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (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;
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF20-3-
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, Maryland 20852; or
    (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you 
to attend one of the virtual public scoping sessions its staff will 
conduct by telephone, scheduled as follows:

                              Date and Time
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Tuesday, August 18, 2020, 6:00-8:00 p.m. EDT, Call in number: 888-455-
 9739, Participant passcode: 4753713.
Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 6:00-8:00 p.m. EDT, Call in number: 888-455-
 9739, Participant passcode: 4753713.
Thursday, August 20, 2020, 6:00-8:00 p.m. EDT, Call in number: 888-455-
 9739, Participant passcode: 4753713.
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    The primary goal of these scoping sessions is to have you identify 
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be 
considered in the EA. Individual oral comments will be taken on a one-
on-one basis with a court reporter present on the line. This format is 
designed to receive the maximum amount of oral comments, in a 
convenient way during the timeframe allotted and is in response to the 
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    Each scoping session is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time. You may call at any time after 6:00 p.m. at 
which time you will be placed on mute and hold. Calls will be answered 
in the order they are received. Once answered, you will have the 
opportunity to provide your comment directly to a court reporter with 
FERC staff or representative present on the line. A time limit of three 
minutes will be implemented for each commentor.
    Transcripts of all comments received during the scoping sessions 
will be publicly available on FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page 
of this notice for instructions on using eLibrary).
    It is important to note that the Commission provides equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided orally at a virtual scoping session.
    There will not be a formal presentation provided by Commission 
staff. However, information about FERC's environmental review process 
can be found on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the natural gas

[[Page 45871]]

Landowner Topics link. In addition, Transco has created a project-
specific website with additional information at https://www.williams.com/expansion-project/regional-energy-access/.
    Please note this is not your only public input opportunity; please 
refer to the review process flow chart in appendix 1.\1\
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    \1\ 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 or from the Commission's 
Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426, or 
call (202) 502-8371.
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Summary of the Planned Project

    Transco plans to construct and operate approximately 35.8 miles of 
pipeline loop \2\ and one new compressor station, as well as modify 
existing compressor stations and facilities in Pennsylvania and New 
Jersey. The project would provide about 760 million standard cubic feet 
of natural gas per day to multiple delivery points along Transco's 
existing system in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland. According to 
Transco, its project would provide its customers with enhanced access 
to Marcellus and Utica Shale natural gas supplies.
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    \2\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to 
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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    The project would consist of the following facilities:
     Installation of 22 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline loop 
in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania (Regional Energy Lateral);
     installation of 13.8 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline 
loop in Monroe County, Pennsylvania (Effort Loop);
     installation of the new Compressor Station 201 (up to 
11,500 horsepower [hp]) in Gloucester County, New Jersey);
     installation of a gas turbine or electric motor-driven 
compressor unit (up to 16,000 hp) at existing Compressor Station 505 in 
Somerset County, New Jersey;
     installation of a gas turbine compressor unit (up to an 
additional 31,871 hp) and modifications to three existing compressors 
at existing Compressor Station 515 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania;
     modifications at existing compressor stations, meter 
stations, interconnects, and ancillary facilities in Pennsylvania, New 
Jersey, and Maryland; and
     installation of ancillary facilities such as mainline 
valves, communication facilities, and pig \3\ launchers and receivers.
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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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    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 814 
acres \4\ of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline 
loops. Following construction, Transco would maintain about 232 acres 
for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining 
acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. The majority of 
the planned pipeline loops parallel Transco's existing pipeline rights-
of-way.
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    \4\ Transco is evaluating workspace requirements at three of the 
planned aboveground facilities to determine whether additional land 
requirements will be necessary.
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The EA Process

    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the planned project under these general 
headings:

 Geology and soils;
 water resources and wetlands;
 vegetation and wildlife;
 threatened and endangered species;
 cultural resources;
 land use and visual impacts;
 socioeconomics;
 air quality and noise;
 public safety; and
 cumulative impacts.

    Commission staff will also evaluate possible alternatives to the 
planned project or portions of the project and make recommendations on 
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff 
have already initiated a NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing 
process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early 
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve 
issues before the Commission receives an application. As part of the 
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state 
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the 
preparation of the EA.
    The EA will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the 
issues. The EA will be available in electronic format in the public 
record through eLibrary \5\ 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 EA is issued. The EA 
may be issued for an allotted public comment period. Commission staff 
will consider all comments on the EA before making recommendations to 
the Commission. To ensure Commission staff have the opportunity to 
consider and address your comments, please carefully follow the 
instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning on page 2.
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    \5\ 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 related to this project to formally cooperate in 
the preparation of the EA.\6\ 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.
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    \6\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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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 the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 
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.\7\ The EA for this project will 
document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and 
summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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    \7\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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; 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

[[Page 45872]]

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 planned project.
    If the Commission issues the EA for an allotted public comment 
period, a Notice of Availability of the EA will be sent to the 
environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the 
electronic document on the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov). If you need 
to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove 
your name from the mailing list, please return the attached Mailing 
List Update Form (appendix 3).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Transco files its application with the Commission, you may 
want to become an intervenor which is an official party to the 
Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek 
rehearing of the Commission's decision and be heard by the courts if 
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor 
formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to 
intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully 
described at https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/ferc-online/how-guides. 
Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor 
status at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a 
formal application for the project, after which the Commission will 
issue a public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.

Additional Information

    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. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number in 
the Docket Number field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF20-
3). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (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 virtual scoping sessions or site visits will be posted on 
the Commission's calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with other related information.

    Dated: July 24, 2020.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-16518 Filed 7-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P