[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 81 (Friday, April 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 17825]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-08434]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP19-31-000]


Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Southern Star 
Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. Lines DT and DS Replacement Project

    On December 21, 2018, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. 
(Southern Star) filed an application in Docket No. CP19-31-000 
requesting authorization pursuant to Section 7(b) and 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct, operate, and abandon certain natural gas 
pipeline facilities in Anderson and Franklin Counties, Kansas. The 
proposed project is known as the Lines DT and DS Replacement Project 
(Project) and would consist of the abandonment of two pipelines and 
construction of one larger diameter pipeline to replace the pipelines 
being abandoned.
    On January 4, 2019, 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 (September 9, 2019)
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline (December 8, 2019)

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

Project Description

    Southern Star proposes the construction of 31.5 miles of new 36-
inch-diameter pipeline, designated as Line DPA, and three small-
diameter (i.e., 2 to 4 inches) pipeline laterals, totaling about 5.9 
miles. The new pipelines would replace Southern Star's existing 20-
inch-diameter pipeline, designated as Line DS (31.4 miles of which 29.4 
miles would be removed and 2 miles would be abandoned in place), and 
existing 26-inch-diameter pipeline, designated as Line DT (31.8 miles 
of which 29 miles would be removed and 2.8 miles would be abandoned in 
place). As part of the Project, Southern Star would: Make modifications 
at two existing compressor stations (Ottawa Compressor Station and 
Welda Compressor Station) and five existing tie-ins; and construct one 
new regulator/measuring station (Richmond Regulator Station), two new 
launchers and receivers, three new mainline valves, and four new tie-
ins along the new pipeline laterals.

Background

    On February 8, 2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Lines DT and DS 
Replacement 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 a comment letter from Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and 
Tourism regarding impacts on state-listed wildlife species and 
designated critical habitats as well as impacts on state-managed lands. 
All substantive comments will be addressed in 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 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 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., CP19-31), 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 22, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-08434 Filed 4-25-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


