[Federal Register: June 26, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 124)]
[Notices]
[Page 36315-36317]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr26jn08-42]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF08-17-000]
Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline L.L.C.; Notice of Intent To
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Maritimes Phase V
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
June 19, 2008.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will
address the environmental impacts of the Maritimes Phase V Project
proposed by Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes). The
Commission will use the EA in its decision-making process to determine
whether or not to authorize the project. This notice explains the
scoping process we \1\ will use to gather environmental input from the
public and interested agencies on the projects. Your input will help
the Commission determine the issues that need to be evaluated in the
EA. Please note that the scoping period will close on July 21, 2008.
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\1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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Details on how to submit written comments are provided in the
Public Participation section of this notice.
This Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for
the Proposed Maritimes Phase V Project (NOI) is being sent to federal,
state, and local government agencies; elected officials; affected
landowners; environmental and public interest groups; Native American
tribes; and other interested parties; and local libraries and
newspapers. We encourage government representatives to notify their
constituents of this planned project and encourage them to comment on
their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted
by a pipeline company representative about the acquisition of an
easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project
facilities. Each pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually
acceptable agreement for its project. However, if the projects are
approved by the Commission, that approval conveys with it the right of
eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an
agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings
in accordance with state law.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). This fact
sheet addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the
use of eminent domain and how to participate in the FERC's proceedings.
Summary of the Proposed Project
Maritimes proposes to construct, own, operate, and maintain certain
natural gas transportation facilities within the states of Maine and
Massachusetts. The general locations of the proposed pipeline and
compression facilities are shown in the figures included as Appendix
1.\2\
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\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices, other
than Appendix 1 (maps), are available on the Commission's Web site
at the ``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference
Room, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call (202)
502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the
Public Participation section of this notice. Copies of the
appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in the mail.
Requests for detailed maps of the proposed facilities should be made
directly to Maritimes.
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The purpose of the project is to provide transportation service for
gas from a new gas field (``Deep Panuke'') located offshore of Nova
Scotia to the New England market area. The Maritimes Phase V Project
would increase the capacity of Maritimes existing system by about
250,000 dekatherms per day.
Maritimes proposes to construct:
About four miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline loop
(Richmond Loop) extending south from the existing Richmond Compressor
Station in Sagadahoc County, Maine; and
A fenced loop terminus site at the southern end of the
Richmond Loop which would include a pig receiver and valves.
Maritimes would add compression and modify the following compressor
stations in Maine:
Baileyville Compressor Station (existing)--additional
8,960 horsepower (HP) of compression, additional cooling, and restaging
of existing compressor units (Washington County);
Woodchopping Ridge Compressor Station (under
construction)--additional 8,960 HP of compression, additional cooling,
and restaging of existing compressor unit (Hancock County);
Brewer Compressor Station (under construction)--additional
8,960 HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging of existing
compressor unit (Penobscot County);
Searsmont Compressor Station (under construction)--
additional 8,960 HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging
of existing compressor unit (Waldo County);
Richmond Compressor Station (existing)--additional 8,960
HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging of existing
compressor units (Sagadahoc County); and
Eliot Compressor Station (under construction)--additional
18,085 HP of compression, additional cooling, and restaging of existing
compressor unit (York County).
In addition, Maritimes would:
Install additional meter and regulator runs and replace
equipment at the existing Dracut Meter Station (Middlesex County,
Massachusetts); and
Uprate the Maximum Allowable Operating Pressure on the
existing 24-inch-diameter pipeline from 1,440 pounds per square inch
gauge (psig) to 1,600 psig between the Baileyville Compressor Station
and the Westbrook Compressor Station. This uprate would require the
modification of the existing valves and meter stations at 23 locations
along the existing pipeline. No ground disturbance would be required at
18 of the locations.\3\
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\3\ Maritimes does not expect excavation to be necessary at most
of the uprate facilities. Maritimes has identified five locations
that would require excavation: The Veazie Tap Valve (Penobscot
County, Maine); the Orrington Meter Station and associated valve
(Penobscot County, Maine); the Bowdoin Meter Station and associated
valve (Sagadahoc County, Maine); the Lewiston Meter Station and
associated valve (Cumberland County, Maine); and the Westbrook PNGTS
Inlet Meter Station (Cumberland County, Maine).
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Work at the compressor stations is proposed to begin in July 2009.
Construction of the Richmond Loop and the other modifications are
proposed to begin in 2010. The proposed in-service date for the Phase V
facilities is November 1, 2010.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the Richmond Loop would disturb about 50 acres of
land. After construction Maritimes would retain 11.9 acres as new
permanent right-of-way.
Generally, the width of the proposed construction right-of-way for
the
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Richmond Loop would be 105 feet. The construction right-of-way way
would consist of: the 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way for the
existing 24-inch-diameter pipeline; a new 25-foot-wide permanent right-
of-way for the loop (which would abut the existing permanent right-of-
way); and a 30-foot-wide temporary right-of-way. The construction
right-of-way would be reduced in areas containing sensitive resources
such as wetlands and stream banks.
Work at the aboveground facilities (compressor stations, meter
stations, and valves) would take place within the existing fenceline of
the facility except for the Orrington Meter Station and the Richmond
Compressor Station.
Additional temporary extra workspaces beyond the typical
construction right-of-way limits would be required at certain feature
crossings (e.g., roads, railroads, wetlands, or waterbodies,
utilities), in areas with steep side slopes, in association with
special construction techniques and for topsoil segregation. Maritimes
would access its project construction areas primarily along the
existing pipeline right-of-way and existing roads; however, other
access roads may be required during construction. One new permanent
access road would access the Richmond Loop terminus site.
The EA Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could
result from an action when it considers whether or not an interstate
natural gas pipeline should be approved. The FERC will use the EA to
consider the environmental impact that could result if the Projects are
authorized under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also requires
us to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals
to be considered by the Commission. This process is referred to as
``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the
analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues. With this
Notice of Intent, the Commission staff is requesting public comments on
the scope of the issues to be addressed in the EA. All comments
received will be considered during preparation of the EA.
In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the proposed project under these
general headings:
Geology and soils;
Land use;
Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
Cultural resources;
Vegetation and wildlife;
Threatened and endangered species;
Air quality and noise;
Hazardous waste; and
Public safety.
In the EA, we will also evaluate possible alternatives to the
proposed projects or portions of the projects, and make recommendations
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
Although no formal application has been filed, the FERC staff has
already initiated its NEPA review under its NEPA Pre-filing Process.
The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage the early
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve
issues before an application is filed with the FERC.
With this NOI, we are asking federal, state, and local agencies
with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to
environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in the preparation
of the EA (see Appendix 2). These agencies may choose to participate
once they have evaluated the proposal relative to their
responsibilities. Additional agencies that would like to request
cooperating agency status should follow the instructions in Appendix 2
of this NOI.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Maritimes Phase V Project. Your comments
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To
ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send
in your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or
before July 21, 2008.
For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to
submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please
reference the project docket number PF08-17-000 with your submission.
The docket number can be found on the front of this notice. The
Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has dedicated
eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258 or
efiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's internet Web site
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only
comments on a project;
(2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's internet Web site at
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or
``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 may file your comments via mail to the Commission by
sending an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE.,
Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 2,
PJ11.2.
Environmental Mailing List
We might mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in
receiving it, please return the Mailing List Retention Form (Appendix
3). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be taken off
the mailing list.
Additional Information
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC (3372) or on
the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the ``eLibrary
link.'' Click on the eLibrary link, select ``General Search'' and enter
the project docket number excluding the last three digits (PF08-17) in
the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate
date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or TTY,
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link on the FERC Internet website
also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
In addition, the FERC now offers a free service called
eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and
submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you
spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with
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notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to
the documents. To register for this service, go to http://www.ferc.gov/
esubscribenow.htm.
Maritimes has also established an Internet Web site for the
Maritimes Phase V Project at: http://www.mnpp.com/USA/new.htm. The
Maritimes Web site includes contact information and information about
its proposed project. You may also use Maritimes' toll free telephone
number, 1-800-738-4880.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-14454 Filed 6-25-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P