[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64454-64455]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22546]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP20-504-000]


Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for 
Environmental Review of the Lake City 1st Branch Line Abandonment and 
Capacity Replacement Project

    On July 31, 2020, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP20-504-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7 of the Natural 
Gas Act to abandon in place and construct and operate certain natural 
gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the Lake City 
1st Branch Line Abandonment and Capacity Replacement Project (Project) 
and would provide for safer long-term operation of Northern's system.
    On August 7, 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--February 26, 2021
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--May 27, 2021

    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 the following actions in Webster and Calhoun 
Counties, Iowa: (1) Abandon in-place about 34.2 miles of the Lake City 
1st branch pipeline from Dayton to Lake City; (2) construct and operate 
about 9.2 miles of 6-inch-diameter pipeline and associated aboveground 
appurtenances (an extension of the Lake City 2nd branch line); and (3) 
uprate the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure of the existing 
Callender branch pipeline, the existing Manson 2nd branch pipeline, and 
25.3 miles of the existing Lake City 2nd branch pipeline.

Background

    On August 31, 2020, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Lake City 1st 
Branch Line Abandonment and Capacity 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 comments 
from three landowners and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. 
The primary issues raised by the commentors are concerns regarding 
federal permits and the Project's impacts on farmland and private 
property. 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 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 eLibrary link, select General 
Search from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and Docket 
Number excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP20-504), 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.


[[Page 64455]]


    Dated: October 6, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-22546 Filed 10-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


