[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 213 (Monday, November 4, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Page 59372]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23986]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP19-500-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Palmyra to South Sioux City A-Line 
Abandonment Project

    On August 15, 2019, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed 
an application in Docket No. CP19-500-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Sections 7(b) and Section 
7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon, construct, and operate certain 
natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the 
Palmyra to South Sioux City A-Line Abandonment Project (Project) and 
would ensure safe and efficient operation of Northern's existing 
pipeline system.
    On August 29, 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--December 13, 2019
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--March 12, 2020

    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

    The Project involves the abandonment in place of a total of 
approximately 118 miles of 20-inch-diameter and 16-inch-diameter 
pipeline on its A-Line pipeline system in Otoe, Lancaster, Saunders, 
Dodge, Burt, Thurston, and Dakota Counties, Nebraska. In addition, 
Northern would construct and operate approximately 4.2 miles of 24-
inch-diameter pipeline loop \1\ and associated appurtenances in Otoe 
and Dodge Counties, Nebraska. Northern states that after Commission 
approval of the Project, the abandoned pipeline would be purchased and 
removed by a third-party salvage company.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ A loop is a pipeline that is constructed adjacent to another 
pipeline for the purpose of increasing capacity in this portion of 
the system.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Background

    On September 18, 2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Palmyra to South 
Sioux City A-Line Abandonment 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 Rosebud Sioux Tribe, 
the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Lower Platte South 
Natural Resources District, and one landowner. The primary issues 
raised by the commentors are cultural resources; surface waters and 
wetlands; land use; and floodplains. 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., 
CP19-500), 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 
website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by 
the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: October 28, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-23986 Filed 11-1-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


