
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 78802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27066]



[[Page 78802]]

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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP16-487-000; PF15-32-000]


 Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Cedar Station Upgrade Project

    On July 29, 2016, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP16-487-000 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. The project is known as the Cedar Station Upgrade Project 
(Project), and would involve the construction of a new 20-inch-diameter 
pipeline loop \1\ to fulfill Northern's contractual obligation to 
provide an increased gas pressure of 650 pounds per square inch gauge 
to Northern States Power Company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A pipeline ``loop'' is a segment of pipe installed parallel 
to an existing pipeline.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On August 11, 2016, 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 December 9, 2016
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline March 9, 2017

    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

    Northern proposes to construct the following facilities:
     About 7.86 miles of 20-inch-diameter pipeline loop;
     a pig \2\ launcher and takeoff valve at milepost 0.0; and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ A pig is an internal pipeline tool used to clean a pipeline 
and/or to inspect for damage or corrosion.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     a pig receiver and tie-in valve, and modifications to 
regulators and piping within the existing Cedar Meter Station 
boundaries.

Background

    On February 23, 2016, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Cedar Station 
Upgrade Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and 
Notice of Public Scoping Meeting (NOI). The NOI was issued during the 
pre-filing review of the Project in Docket No. PF15-32-000 and 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 Dakota and Goodhue Counties, Thomas Lake Country Homes Homeowners 
Association, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Minnesota Department of 
Natural Resources, and over 350 concerned landowners/stakeholders. The 
primary issues raised by the commentors are: Impacts on residential 
areas from construction; alternatives that avoid residential areas; and 
impacts on Lebanon Hills Regional Park and alternatives that would 
avoid this park.

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., 
CP16-487), 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: November 3, 2016.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-27066 Filed 11-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


