Document ID: FERC-2021-1339-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC; Regional Energy Access Expansion Project
Posted Date: 2021-10-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 206 (Thursday, October 28, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59707-59710]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23485]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP21-94-000]

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Regional 
Energy Access Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental 
Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of the Regional Energy Access 
Expansion Project (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 EIS in its 
decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the 
public convenience and necessity. The schedule for preparation of the 
EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental Review section of 
this notice.
    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 
whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public 
Convenience and Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred 
to as ``scoping.'' By notice issued on July 24, 2020, in Docket No. 
PF20-3-000, the Commission opened a scoping period during Transco's 
pre-filing process; and staff intends to prepare an EIS that will 
address the concerns raised during that scoping period as well as 
comments received in response to this notice. Therefore, the Commission 
requests comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and any 
relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning 
impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. 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 November 19, 2021. Further details on 
how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section 
of this notice.
    As mentioned above, the Commission previously opened a scoping 
period which expired on August 24, 2020. All substantive written and 
oral comments provided during scoping will be addressed in the EIS. 
Therefore, if you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission 
during the previous scoping process, you do not need to file those 
comments again.
    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 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, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation 
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation

[[Page 59708]]

would be determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The 
Commission does not grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of eminent 
domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent 
domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters.
    Transco 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 Questions or Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three 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 
[email protected]. 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''; 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 (CP21-
94-000) 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. 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.

Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and 
Expected Impacts

    Transco plans to construct and operate approximately 36.1 miles of 
pipeline loop \1\ and one new compressor station, as well as modify 
existing compressor stations and facilities in Pennsylvania and New 
Jersey. The Project would provide about 829 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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    \1\ 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 22.3 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 electric-motor driven Compressor 
Station 201 (9,000 horsepower [hp]) in Gloucester County, New Jersey);
     installation of two gas turbine driven compressor units 
(31,800 hp) at existing Compressor Station 505 in Somerset County, New 
Jersey to accommodate the replacement of 16,000 hp from eight existing 
compressors and increase the certificated station compression by 15,800 
hp;
     installation of two gas turbine compressor units (63,742 
hp) and modifications to three existing compressors at existing 
Compressor Station 515 in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania to accommodate 
the replacement of 17,000 hp from five existing compressors and 
increase the certificated station compression by 46,742 hp;
     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 \2\ launchers and receivers.
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    \2\ 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 
1.\3\
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    \3\ 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. At 
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's 
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National 
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), 
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact 
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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    Based on the environmental information provided by Transco, 
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 807.7 acres 
of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Following 
construction, Transco would maintain about 231.2 acres for operation of 
the Project facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and 
revert to former uses.
    Based on an initial review of Transco's proposal and public 
comments, Commission staff have identified several expected impacts 
that deserve attention in the EIS. The Project would impact 83 
waterbodies, 17.4 acres of wetland, and greenhouse gas emissions.

The NEPA Process and the EIS

    The EIS 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 and visual impacts;
     socioeconomics and environmental justice;
     air quality and noise;
     reliability and safety; and
     cumulative impacts.
    Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help 
Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a 
significant effect on the human environment.
    The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the 
issues. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore and Philadelphia 
Districts and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are cooperating

[[Page 59709]]

agencies in the preparation of the EIS.\4\ Staff will 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 draft and final EIS 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 environmental document 
is issued.
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    \4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40 Code of Federal 
Regulations (CFR), Section 1501.8. (2021).
    \5\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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Alternatives Under Consideration

    The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically 
and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the 
proposed action.\6\ Alternatives currently under consideration include:
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    \6\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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     The no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not 
implemented;
     use of other existing and proposed pipeline systems; and
     alternative locations to construct the Project facilities.
    With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments 
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action 
or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on 
reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites and 
pipeline routes) that meet the Project objectives, are technically and 
economically feasible, and avoid or lessen environmental impact.

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 initiated section 106 consultation for 
the Project in the notice issued on July 24, 2020, with the applicable 
State Historic Preservation Offices, and other government agencies, 
interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their views and 
concerns regarding the Project's potential effects on historic 
properties.\7\ This notice is a continuation of section 106 
consultation for the Project. The Project EIS will document 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'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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Schedule for Environmental Review

    On April 9, 2021, the Commission issued its Notice of Application 
for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies 
issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all 
necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a 
federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the 
Commission staff's final EIS for the Project. This notice identifies 
the Commission staff's planned schedule for completion of the final EIS 
for the Project, which is based on an issuance of the draft EIS in 
February of 2022.

Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--July 29, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--October 27, 2022

    If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an 
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are 
kept informed of the Project's progress.

Permits and Authorizations

    The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations 
for the Project required under federal law. This list may not be all-
inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it is 
not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special 
expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's 
EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related 
to this Project. 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.

           Environmental Permits, Approvals, and Consultations
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                                               Permit, approval, or
       Permitting/approval agency                  consultation
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                                 Federal
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission...  Certificate of Public
                                          Convenience and Necessity.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers...........  Department of the Army permit
                                          under section 404 of the Clean
                                          Water Act (CWA).
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service...........  Endangered Species Act, section
                                          7 Consultation.
                                         Fish and Wildlife Coordination
                                          Act Consultation.
                                         Migratory Bird Treaty Act
                                          Consultation.
                                         Bald and Golden Eagle
                                          Protection Act Consultation.
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                           Interstate Agencies
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Susquehanna River Basin Commission,      Susquehanna River Basin
 Water Withdrawal Permit Consumptive      Commission.
 Use Authorization.
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                       Pennsylvania State Agencies
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Pennsylvania Department of               CWA 401 Water Quality
 Environmental Protection (PADEP),        Certification.
 Regional Bureaus of Waterways           Chapter 105 Water Obstruction
 Engineering and Wetlands.                and Encroachment Permit--
                                          Pennsylvania Programmatic
                                          General Permit (PASGP-5).
                                         Chapter 102 Erosion and
                                          Sediment Control Plan Review
                                          and Permit (ESCGP-3) for
                                          Construction Activities.

[[Page 59710]]

 
PADEP Bureau of Clean Water............  CWA section 402 National
                                          Pollution Discharge
                                          Elimination System--Individual
                                          Permit for Hydrostatic Test
                                          Water Discharge Permit/
                                          Approval.
PADEP Bureau of Air Quality............  Air Quality Plan Approval
                                          (Minor Modification).
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission..  Consultation (rare aquatic and
                                          amphibian species).
                                         Aid to Navigation Plans (if
                                          required).
                                         Stream Blasting Permit (if
                                          required).
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation  Consultation (rare plant
 and Natural Resources.                   species).
Pennsylvania Game Commission...........  Consultation (rare mammalian
                                          and avian species).
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum       Section 106, National Historic
 Commission, State Historic               Preservation Act Consultation.
 Preservation Office.
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                        New Jersey State Agencies
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New Jersey Department of Environmental   Freshwater Wetlands Letter of
 Protection (NJDEP), Division of Land     Interpretation.
 Resource Protection.                    Flood Hazard Area Verification
                                          Applicability.
                                         Flood Hazard Area Applicability
                                          Determination for certain
                                          Flood Hazard Area Permits by
                                          Rule.
NJDEP Division of Water Quality, Bureau  General Permit for Construction
 of Nonpoint Pollution Control.           Activity, Storm Water (5G3).
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife,     Consultation for rare,
 Endangered and Nongame Species Program.  threatened, and endangered
                                          species.
NJDEP Division of Parks and Forestry     Consultation for rare,
 Natural Heritage Program.                threatened, and endangered
                                          species.
NJDEP Division of Fish and Wildlife,     Consultation for state
 Bureau of Freshwater Fisheries.          freshwater fish habitat.
NJDEP Historic Preservation Office.....  Section 106, National Historic
                                          Preservation Act Consultation.
NJDEP Division of Water Quality, Bureau  Short-term De Minimis Discharge
 of Surface Water Permitting.             Permit (B7).
NJDEP Division of Water Supply and       Short Term Water Use Permit-by-
 Geoscience, Bureau of Water Allocation   Rule (BWA-003)/Short Term
 and Well Permitting.                     Water Use Report (BWA-004).
                                         Short-Term Water Use Permit-by-
                                          rule (BWA-003)--for
                                          hydrostatic testing
                                          activities.
NJDEP Division of Air Quality--Bureau    Preconstruction Permit to
 of Stationary Sources.                   Construct and Operate (Minor
                                          Source).
                                         Modification to Existing Title
                                          V Operating Permit.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Maryland Agencies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maryland Department of Natural           Consultation for rare,
 Resources.                               threatened, and endangered
                                          species.
Maryland Department of Planning,         Section 106, National Historic
 Maryland Historical Trust.               Preservation Act Consultation.
Baltimore County.......................  Grading Permit/Soil Erosion
                                          Control Plan Approval.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Mailing List

    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for the Project, which 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 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. 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 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 CP21-94-000 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 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, excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP21-94). 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-events/events along with 
other related information.

    Dated: October 19, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-23485 Filed 10-27-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P