Document ID: FERC-2016-0259-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Equitrans, LP; TP-371 Replacement Project
Posted Date: 2016-02-23T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 23, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 8951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-03612]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP15-528-000]

Equitrans, LP; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the 
TP-371 Replacement Project

    On July 10, 2015, Equitrans, LP (Equitrans) filed an application in 
Docket No. CP15-528-000 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, and 
permission under Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon in 
place an existing segment of pipeline. The proposed project, known as 
the TP-371 Pipeline Replacement Project, would upgrade the existing 
system to allow for in-line inspection and improve operational 
efficiency and reliability. No change in the transportation capacity of 
the existing pipeline system is proposed.
    On July 23, 2015, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the project. 
Among other things, the Notice of Application 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 February 29, 2016
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline May 31, 2016

    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 include construction of 20.9 miles of 20-inch-
diameter natural gas pipeline and related facilities, and abandonment 
of the adjacent 12-inch-diameter pipeline. Minor aboveground facilities 
would also be constructed, relocated, or abandoned. The project would 
be located in Armstrong and Indiana Counties, Pennsylvania.

Background

    On August 19, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed TP-371 Pipeline 
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, newspapers, and radio stations. In response to the 
NOI, the Commission received environmental comments from the 
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Consol 
Energy Inc., Allegheny Defense Project, combined comments from the 
Allegheny Defense Project and the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, 
and one landowner. The primary issues raised by the commentors included 
impacts on community parks and recreation projects; vegetation; mining 
properties, and cumulative impacts; unauthorized access of the right-
of-way; future upgrades of the Equitrans system; and natural gas 
production methods.

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 Web site (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., 
CP15-528), 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 
Web site also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued 
by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: February 12, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-03612 Filed 2-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P