
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 240 (Tuesday, December 15, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 77619]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31467]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP15-520-000]


Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Triad Expansion Project

    On June 19, 2015, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. 
(Tennessee) filed an application in Docket No. CP15-520-000 requesting 
authorization pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to 
construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The 
proposed project is known as the Triad Expansion Project (Project), and 
would deliver an additional 180,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas 
to meet the needs of a new natural gas-fired power plant to be 
constructed in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania.
    On July 6, 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 EA April 6, 2016

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline July 5, 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

    Tennessee would construct about 7.0 miles of new 36-inch-diameter 
looping \1\ pipeline adjacent to its existing 300 Line system in 
Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania; a new internal pipeline inspection 
(pig) \2\ launcher, crossover, and connecting facilities at the 
beginning of the proposed pipeline loop; and a new pig receiver, a new 
odorant facility, and ancillary piping at the existing Compressor 
Station 321 in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania.
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    \1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to 
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
    \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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Background

    On August 5, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Triad Expansion 
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 United States Army Corps of Engineers; Pennsylvania 
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; the Stockbridge-
Munsee Tribal Historic Preservation Office; the Allegheny Defense 
Project; and one individual. The primary issues raised during scoping 
relate to impacts on soils, wetlands, waterbodies, vegetation, and 
wildlife; recreation and impacts on cultural resources; reliability and 
safety concerns; and review of project alternatives.

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., CP15-520), 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: December 9, 2015.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2015-31467 Filed 12-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


