[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 77 (Monday, April 22, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 16668]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08015]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP19-78-000]


PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of The Penneast Pipeline Project Amendment

    On February 1, 2019, PennEast Pipeline Company, LLC (PennEast) 
filed an application under section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to amend 
the certificate of public convenience and necessity and related 
authorizations issued by the Commission on January 19, 2018 in Docket 
No. CP15-558-000 (January 19th Order). In this application for 
amendment, PennEast has proposed four modifications that are outside 
the certificated route. The modifications were designed to optimize the 
design of the PennEast Pipeline Project and respond to agency requests.
    On February 15, 2019, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(FERC or Commission) issued its Notice of Application for the PennEast 
Pipeline Project Amendment (Project Amendment). This current notice 
alerts agencies issuing federal authorization 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's staff's Environmental Assessment (EA) for 
the Project Amendment. This instant notice identifies the FERC staff's 
planned schedule for completion of an EA for the Project Amendment.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--(September 20, 2019)
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--(December 19, 2019)

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

Project Amendment Description

    The proposed four modifications in Pennsylvania include: Saylor 
Avenue Realignment in Luzerne County; Interstate 81 Workspace 
Adjustment in Luzerne County; Appalachian Trail PPL Electric Utilities 
Crossing Realignment in Carbon, Monroe, and Northampton Counties; and 
Freemansburg Avenue Realignment in Northampton County. PennEast's 
proposed realignment of the project route crossing of the Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail would collocate the pipeline with an existing 
easement. Except for the realignment of the Appalachian National Scenic 
Trail crossing, all other realignments and adjustment are within 0.25 
mile of the existing Project route approved in the January 19th Order.

Background

    On March 15, 2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Penneast Pipeline 
Project Amendment, and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues 
(NOI).
    The NOI was sent to federal, state, and local government agencies; 
elected officials; affected landowners; environmental and public 
interest groups; Native American tribes and regional organizations; 
commentors and other interested parties; and local libraries and 
newspapers. Major issues raised during scoping that are specific to the 
Project Amendment include project need, impacts on the Appalachian 
National Scenic Trail, and private property rights. All substantive 
comments will be addressed in the EA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Pennsylvania Field Office; U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency; and U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Natural Resources Conservation Service are cooperating agencies in the 
preparation of the EA.

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 docket, 
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 Amendment is available 
from the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or 
on the FERC website (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., 
CP19-78), 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 [email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC 
website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by 
the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: April 16, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-08015 Filed 4-19-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


