[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 134 (Friday, July 14, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 45202]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-14987]



[[Page 45202]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-466-000]


Great Basin Gas Transmission Company; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the 2024 Expansion 
Project

    On May 1, 2023, Great Basin Gas Transmission Company (Great Basin) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP23-466-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to section 
7(c) and Authorization pursuant to section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act 
to construct, operate, and abandon certain natural gas pipeline 
facilities. The proposed project is known as the 2024 Expansion Project 
(Project), and would provide 5,674 dekatherms per day of incremental 
firm transportation service for two existing firm transportation 
shippers. The expansion would require construction of approximately 
3.41 miles of upsized or looped pipeline segments across Douglas, Lyon, 
and Storey Counties, Nevada.
    On May 15, 2023, 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 document for the Project.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule 
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
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    \1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
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Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--November 28, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--February 26, 2024
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    \2\ 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.
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    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

    Great Basin proposes to: (1) construct approximately 0.25 mile of 
20-inch-diameter pipeline loop along its Carson Lateral in Storey 
County, Nevada, referred to as the Truckee Canal segment; (2) abandon 
and replace approximately 2.88 miles of existing 10-inch-diameter 
pipeline with new 20-inch-diameter pipeline along the Carson Lateral in 
Lyon County, Nevada, referred to as the Silver Springs segment; and (3) 
construct approximately 0.28 mile of 12-inch-diameter pipeline loop 
paralleling its South Tahoe Lateral in Douglas County, Nevada, referred 
to as the Kingsbury segment. Additionally, Great Basin would install 
new aboveground valves and associated piping at its existing White Sage 
Pressure Limiting Station and at the Fort Churchill Valve Assembly on 
the Silver Springs pipeline segment in Lyon County, Nevada. Great Basin 
would also install one new belowground valve assembly and a below-
ground hot tap at the terminus point of the Kingsbury pipeline segment 
in Douglas County, Nevada.

Background

    On June 15, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Great 
Basin 2024 Expansion Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping 
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 Notice of Scoping, the Commission 
received comments in support of the Project from Southwest Gas 
Corporation and comments in protest from the Office of the Nevada 
Attorney General, Bureau of Consumer Protection. The primary issues 
raised by the Nevada Attorney General are associated with project need, 
capacity, and rates. All substantive environmental comments will be 
addressed in the EA.
    The Bureau of Land Management is a cooperating agency in the 
preparation of the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access 
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For 
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
    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., 
CP23-466), 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: July 10, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-14987 Filed 7-13-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


