[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 129 (Monday, July 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40285-40286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-14421]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP20-460-000]


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

    On May 21, 2020, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP20-460-000 requesting abandonment 
authorization and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity 
pursuant to Section 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon, 
construct, and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The 
proposed project is known as the Clifton to Palmyra A-Line Abandonment 
Project (Project), and Northern states it would enhance the safety, 
security, and operational efficiency of its pipeline system.
    On May 28, 2020, 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 16, 2020
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--December 15, 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

    Northern proposes to abandon in-place a total of approximately 
115.9 miles of its M600A and M590A 24-inch-diameter pipeline and M600J 
20-inch-diameter pipeline (collectively referred to as the A-line) from 
Clifton, Kansas to Palmyra, Nebraska. The Project is located in Clay 
and Washington Counties, Kansas, and Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, and 
Otoe Counties, Nebraska. Northern also would increase compression 
capacity at its existing Beatrice Compressor Station in Gage County, 
Nebraska, to replace the lost capacity from the proposed abandonment.

Background

    On June 9, 2020, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Palmyra to Clifton 
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. 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 https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview and follow the instructions to 
register for eSubscription.
    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 https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/
search/fercgensearch.asp''eLibrary link, enter the selected date range, 
the Docket Number excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP20-460), and 
follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the 
helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or 
atFERCOnlineSupport@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.


[[Page 40286]]


    Dates: June 29, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-14421 Filed 7-2-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


