[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 212 (Thursday, November 3, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66284-66286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23946]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-501-000]


Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To 
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Southeast 
Energy Connector Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 
and Schedule for Environmental Review

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of the Southeast Energy 
Connector Project (Project) involving construction and operation of 
natural gas facilities by Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC 
(Transco). Transco plans to modify an existing compressor station and 
construct 1.8 miles of pipeline in Coosa and Chilton Counties, Alabama 
to provide 150,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation 
service to an existing electric power generator in Shelby County, 
Alabama. The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making 
process to determine whether the Project is in the public convenience 
and necessity. The schedule for preparation of the EIS is discussed in 
the Schedule for Environmental Review section of this notice.
    As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review 
process, the Commission takes into account concerns the public may have 
about proposals and the environmental impacts that could result 
whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public 
Convenience and Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred 
to as ``scoping.'' By notice issued on May 19, 2022 in Docket No. PF22-
6-000 the Commission opened a scoping period during Transco's planning 
process for the Project and prior to filing a formal application with 
the Commission, a process referred to as ``pre-filing.'' Transco has 
now filed an application with the Commission, and staff intends to 
prepare an EIS that will address the concerns raised during the pre-
filing scoping process and comments received in response to this 
notice.
    The Commission requests public comments on the scope of issues to 
address in the environmental document, including comments on potential 
alternatives and impacts, and any relevant information, studies, or 
analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the 
human environment. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly 
recorded, please submit your comments so that the Commission receives 
them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 
28, 2022. Comments may be submitted in written form. Further details on 
how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section 
of this notice.
    As mentioned above, during the pre-filing process, the Commission 
opened a scoping period which expired on June 20, 2022; however, 
Commission staff continued to accept comments during the entire pre-
filing process. All substantive written comments provided during pre-
filing will be addressed in the EIS. Therefore, if you submitted 
comments on this Project to the Commission during the pre-filing 
process in Docket No. PF22-6-000 you do not need to file those comments 
again.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You 
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the Project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent 
domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach 
an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation 
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be 
determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The Commission does 
not grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of eminent domain 
authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent domain 
cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters.
    Transco provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC 
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I 
Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including 
the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's 
proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of 
interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and 
has staff available to

[[Page 66285]]

assist you at (866) 208-3676 or [email protected]. Please 
carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly 
recorded.
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for 
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments 
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your 
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking 
on ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you 
are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment 
on a Filing''; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP22-
501-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service 
must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 
20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: 
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings 
made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the 
documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register 
for eSubscription.

Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and 
Expected Impacts

    Transco plans to install a new compressor unit and modify 
compressor units at existing Compressor Station 105 located in Coosa 
County, Alabama and construct 1.83 mile 42-inch-diameter Chilton Loop 
pipeline in Coosa and Chilton Counties, Alabama. According to Transco, 
its Project would enable it to provide an incremental 150,000 
dekatherms per day of year-round firm transportation capacity from 
existing supply points in Mississippi and Alabama to the existing 
Gaston delivery meter station located adjacent to the existing 
Compressor Station 105 in Coosa County, Alabama. The purpose of the 
proposed project is to provide natural gas to the Gaston Steam Plant 
for the conversion of existing 895-megawatt (MW) Unit 5 to natural gas. 
The Gaston Steam Plant is a 2,015-MW capacity power station in Shelby 
County, near Wilsonville, Alabama, currently powering its Unit 5 on 
coal.
    The Project would consist of the following facilities:
     installation of a 11,110 horsepower Solar Taurus 70 gas-
fired turbine in a new building with associated appurtenant facilities 
at Compressor Station 105 in Coosa County, Alabama;
     modification of compressor units 1-3 at Compressor Station 
105;
     construction of 1.83 miles of new 42-inch-diameter `E' 
mainline loop \1\ pipeline from Mileposts (MP) 909.63 to 911.46 in 
Chilton and Coosa Counties, Alabama; and
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    \1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to 
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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     remove the existing pigging \2\ traps at MPs 909.63 and 
911.43 on the existing `E' mainline and tie-in the planned 42-inch-
diameter Chilton Loop.
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    \2\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into 
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline, 
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
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    The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\3\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at 
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary''. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. For 
assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll 
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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    Based on the environmental information provided by Transco, the 
Project would disturb about 129 acres of land, which includes temporary 
construction workspace, permanent easement, and temporary access roads. 
Following construction, Transco would maintain 13 acres for operation 
of the Project's facilities and the remaining acreage would be restored 
and returned to pre-construction land use. Approximately 73 percent of 
the proposed pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or 
road rights-of-way.
    Based on an initial review of Transco's proposal, Commission staff 
have identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the 
EIS. The Project would impact 50 acres of upland forest, five small 
waterbodies, and potentially the Coosa River.

The NEPA Process and the EIS

    The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could 
occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed 
Project under the relevant general resource areas:
     geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     environmental justice;
     greenhouse gas and climate;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help 
Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a 
significant effect on the human environment.
    The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the 
issues. Staff will prepare a draft EIS which will be issued for public 
comment. Commission staff will consider all timely comments received 
during the comment period on the draft EIS and revise the document, as 
necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any draft and final EIS will be 
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 
\4\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page 
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant 
email notification when the environmental document is issued.
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    \4\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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Alternatives Under Consideration

    The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically 
and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the 
proposed action.\5\ Alternatives currently under consideration include:
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    \5\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z)
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     no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not 
implemented;
     the Chilton Loop Alternative 2 pipeline route deviation 
reducing the Project length by 0.06 miles;
     the Chilton Loop Alternative pipeline route deviation 
increasing sideslope construction by 0.20 acres; and
     Autauga Loop Major Route Alternative increasing Project 
length by 2.36 miles and eliminating steep terrain.
    With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments 
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action 
or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your

[[Page 66286]]

comments on reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility 
sites and pipeline routes) that meet the Project objectives, are 
technically and economically feasible, and avoid or lessen 
environmental impact.

Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 
and other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public 
to solicit their views and concerns regarding the Project's potential 
effects on historic properties.\6\ The Project EIS will document 
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status 
of consultations under section 106.
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    \6\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those 
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
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Schedule for Environmental Review

    On August 30, 2022, the Commission issued its Notice of Application 
for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies 
issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all 
necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a 
federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the 
Commission staff's final EIS for the Project. This notice identifies 
the Commission staff's planned schedule for completion of the final EIS 
for the Project, which is based on an issuance of the draft EIS in 
March 2023.

Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--August 4, 2023.
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \7\--November 2, 2023.
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    \7\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other 
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally 
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal 
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed 
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the 
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a 
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.

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

Permits and Authorizations

    The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations 
for the Project required under federal law. This list may not be all-
inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it is 
not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special 
expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's 
EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related 
to this Project. Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency 
status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided 
under the Public Participation section of this notice.

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        Permit or authorization                       Agency
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Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404        U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
 Discharges to Waters of the United
 States/Section 10 River and Harbor Act.
CWA Section 402 Stormwater and           Alabama Department of
 Construction Dewatering Permits.         Environmental Management.
Section 106 Consultation...............  Alabama Historical Commission.
Endangered Species Act Section 7         U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
 Consultation.
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Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; local 
community groups, schools, churches, and businesses; other interested 
parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes 
all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's regulations) 
who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used 
temporarily for Project purposes, or who own homes within certain 
distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on 
the Project and includes a mailing address with their comments. 
Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the 
analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this 
environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and 
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the 
proposed Project. State and local government representatives should 
notify their constituents of this proposed project and encourage them 
to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would 
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of 
the following steps:
    (1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your 
request. You must include the docket number CP22-501-000 in your 
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure 
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to 
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and 
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to 
accept comments.

OR

    (2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the Project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number 
in the ``Docket Number'' field, excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP22-501). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected] or (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 
502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all 
formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and 
rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with 
other related information.

    Dated: October 28, 2022.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-23946 Filed 11-2-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


