
[Federal Register: October 5, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 191)]
[Notices]               
[Page 51146-51147]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05oc09-41]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP08-420-000; CP08-420-001]

 
Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC; Hubline/East to West Project

September 25, 2009.

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission 
or FERC) has prepared the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to 
address Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC's (Algonquin) proposed 
expansion of its natural gas pipeline system in the above-referenced 
dockets. The HubLine/East to West Project (E2W Project or Project) 
would involve replacement of existing pipeline facilities in New London 
County, Connecticut and modifications to an existing compressor station 
in Morris County, New Jersey.
    The final EIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FERC is the lead agency 
for the preparation of the EIS. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) 
and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are cooperating 
agencies. A cooperating agency has jurisdiction by law or special 
expertise with respect to environmental impacts involved with the 
proposal and is involved in the NEPA analysis.
    Based on the analysis in the EIS, the FERC staff concludes that 
construction and operation of the Project would result in some adverse 
environmental impacts. However, if the Project is constructed and 
operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, 
Algonquin's proposed mitigation, and the additional mitigation measures 
recommended by staff in the EIS, all impacts would be reduced to a 
less-than-significant level.
    The E2W Project would provide 281,500 dekatherms per day of east to 
west natural gas transportation service for delivery to high growth 
markets in the Northeast. The Project would increase the diversity of 
supply by accessing natural gas from liquefied natural gas projects 
offshore of Massachusetts, increase Algonquin's system flexibility, and 
strengthen Algonquin's ability to mitigate capacity restrictions on the 
eastern end of the system.
    The final EIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the following facilities proposed by 
Algonquin:
     Installation of 2.56 miles of 12-inch-diameter pipeline 
(E-3 System Replacement) that would replace a segment of an existing 6-
inch-diameter pipeline in New London County, Connecticut;
     Installation of minor aboveground facilities including one 
mainline valve and remote blow-off valve, one mainline remote control 
valve; one pig \1\ launcher; and one pig receiver in New London County, 
Connecticut; and
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    \1\ A pig is an internal tool that can be used to clean and dry 
a pipeline and/or to inspect it for damage or corrosion.
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     Piping modifications to the existing Hanover Compressor 
Station in Morris County, New Jersey to accommodate reverse flow and 
backhaul capability along Algonquin's system.
    The final EIS has been placed in the public files of the FERC and 
is available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 First St. NE., Room 
2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-8371.
    A limited number of copies are available from the FERC's Public 
Reference Room identified above. These copies may be requested in hard 
copy or as .pdf files on a CD that can be read by a computer with a CD-
ROM drive. The

[[Page 51147]]

final EIS is also available for viewing on the FERC Internet Web site 
at www.ferc.gov. In addition, copies of the document have been mailed 
to federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; 
Native American tribes; local libraries and newspapers; intervenors in 
the FERC's proceeding; and other interested parties (i.e., affected 
landowners, miscellaneous individuals, and environmental groups who 
provided scoping comments, commented on the draft EIS, or asked to 
remain on the mailing list). Hard copies of the final EIS were mailed 
to those who specifically requested them, while all other parties on 
the mailing list were sent a CD of the final EIS. Hard copies of the 
final EIS can be viewed at the libraries in the Project area that are 
listed in Appendix A of the final EIS.
    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at 1-866-208-FERC (3372) or on 
the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary 
link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search,'' and 
enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket 
Number field (i.e., CP08-420). Be sure you have selected an appropriate 
date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet website 
also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called 
eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and 
submittals in specific dockets. 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. To register for this service, go to the eSubscription 
link on the FERC Internet website.
    Information concerning the involvement of the COE is available from 
Susan Lee at (978) 318-8494. Information concerning the involvement of 
the EPA is available from Timothy Timmermann at (617) 918-1025.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-23862 Filed 10-2-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
