
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 73 (Friday, April 15, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 22260]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08687]



[[Page 22260]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP15-549-000]


Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the SM-80 MAOP Restoration Project

    On September 2, 2015, Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC (Columbia) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP15-549-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Sections 
7(c) and 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon, construct, and operate 
certain natural gas pipeline facilities in Wayne County, West Virginia. 
The proposed project is known as the SM-80 MAOP Restoration Project 
(Project) and would restore the maximum allowable operating pressure of 
part of the SM-80 system.
    On September 15, 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--5/18/16
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--8/16/16

    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

    Columbia proposes to abandon in place about 3.3 miles of 30-inch-
diameter pipeline and associated aboveground appurtenances located on 
its existing SM-80 natural gas transmission system located in Wayne 
County, West Virginia. This section would be abandoned due to its age 
and condition. Columbia would also construct about 3.9 miles of 30-
inch-diameter pipeline to replace the abandoned pipeline. The new 
pipeline would be co-located with the existing SM-80 Loop \1\ and other 
existing easements for 3.8 of the 3.9 miles.
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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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Background

    On October 15, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed SM-80 MAOP 
Restoration 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 two landowners. The primary issues raised by the 
commentors are the potential for soil and water contamination, impacts 
on wildlife, air, and noise, and cumulative impacts.

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., 
CP15-549), 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: April 11, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-08687 Filed 4-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


