Document ID: FERC-2016-0362-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Co., LLC; Virginia Southside Expansion Project II
Posted Date: 2016-03-11T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 48 (Friday, March 11, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12889-12890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05505]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP15-118-000]

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule 
for Environmental Review of the Virginia Southside Expansion Project II

    On March 23, 2015, Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC 
(Transco) filed an application in Docket No. CP15-118-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate the Virginia 
Southside Expansion Project II (Project). The purpose of the Project is 
to provide up to 250,000 dekatherms per day of firm natural gas 
transportation service to a planned Virginia Electric and Power Company 
combined-cycle gas-fired power station in Greensville County, Virginia.
    On April 1, 2015, 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 the EA April 29, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline July 28, 2016

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

Project Description

    Transco proposes to construct and operate 4.3 miles of 24-inch-
diameter pipeline, a meter and regulator station, and pig launcher/
receiver facilities in Brunswick and Greensville Counties, Virginia. In 
addition, Transco would add 21,830 horsepower of compression to 
Compressor Station 166 in Pittsville County, Virginia; add 25,000 
horsepower of compression to Compressor Station 185 in Prince William 
County, Virginia; and construct minor modifications at 19 facilities in 
Cherokee and Spartanburg Counties, South Carolina and Polk County, 
North Carolina, including odorization/deodorization facility 
modifications, valves, and valve operators.

Background

    On May 6, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare 
an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Virginia Southside 
Expansion II 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. In response to the NOI, the Commission 
received comments from the Virginia Department of Conservation and 
Recreation, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia 
Department of Historical Resources, Appalachian Mountain Advocates, 
Sierra Club, and two individuals. The primary issues raised by 
commentors are potential impacts on the Manassas stonefly and 
freshwater mussels; affects to historic properties; proximity to 
residences and easement compensation; pipeline safety; compliance with 
Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Program; connected, cumulative, and 
similar actions, with specific reference to Transco's Atlantic Sunrise 
Project (Docket No. CP15-138-000); and the indirect and cumulative 
impacts of the Greenville Power Plant.

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 filings, document 
summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to http://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., 
CP15-118), 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 FERCOnlineSuppport@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.

[[Page 12890]]

    Dated: March 7, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
 Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-05505 Filed 3-10-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P