[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26677-26679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-12869]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF08-24-000]
Calais LNG Project Company, LLC; Supplemental Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Calais LNG Project
and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues Related to the
Potential Expansion of the Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline System
May 27, 2009.
As previously noticed on November 20, 2008, and supplemented
herein, the staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss environmental impacts that could result from construction
and operation of the Calais Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project planned
by the Calais LNG Project Company, LLC (Calais LNG). The EIS will be
used by the Commission in its decision making process to determine
whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity.
The planned Calais LNG Project would consist of an onshore LNG
import and storage terminal located just north of Ford Point on the St.
Croix River, about 6 miles southeast of the Town of Calais in
Washington County, Maine; and about 20 miles of natural gas sendout
pipeline between the LNG terminal and an interconnection with the
existing Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline L.L.C.'s (M&NE) pipeline system
near the Town of Baileyville, Maine. The M&NE system currently does not
have sufficient capacity to transport the natural gas that would be
supplied by the LNG terminal. Therefore, if the Calais LNG Project is
authorized and placed into service, the M&NE system would require
expansion in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.
This Supplemental Notice of Intent (NOI) discloses the potential
facilities that are anticipated to expand M&NE's system, based on
information provided to Calais LNG by M&NE. Although M&NE is not
proposing to construct these facilities and does not have an
application before the FERC, these expanded M&NE facilities are likely
a necessary part of the project. An analysis of the impacts of these
facilities will be included in the EIS being prepared for the Calais
LNG facility. This Supplemental NOI is being issued to notify the
public about the anticipated M&NE system expansion and to request
comments regarding the possible environmental impact of those
facilities. Your input will help determine what issues need to be
evaluated in the EIS regarding the M&NE system expansion. Please note
that the scoping period for this supplemental NOI will close on June
29, 2009.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project, which includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. State and local
government representatives are asked to notify their constituents of
this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of
concern.
Summary of the Anticipated M&NE Expansion
The following facilities have been identified by M&NE as necessary
to accommodate the gas volumes to be delivered by Calais LNG. A summary
of the Calais LNG Project was included in the NOI issued on November
20, 2008, and the scoping period closed on December 22, 2008. This NOI
may also be accessed via the FERC eLibrary. Instructions about using
eLibrary are included in the Additional Information section on page 7.
Pipeline Looping
Approximately 233.4 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline looping \1\
is anticipated in or adjacent to the existing M&NE right-of-way (ROW)
or other nearby utility or road ROWs, as follows:
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\1\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe that is installed
adjacent to or in the vicinity of an existing pipeline and connected
to the existing pipeline at both ends. A loop increases the volume
of gas that can be transported through that portion of the system.
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Eliot Loop--21.1 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 30-inch-diameter Joint Mainline (milepost [MP]
31.1 in Rockingham County, New Hampshire to MP 51.2 in York County,
Maine);
Westbrook Loop--41.1 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 30-inch-diameter Joint Mainline (MP 60.3 to MP
101.4 in Cumberland County, Maine);
Richmond Loop--35.4 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 107.9
in Cumberland County, Maine to MP 143.4 in Sagadahoc County, Maine);
Searsmont Loop--35.5 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 152.0
in Kennebec County, Maine to MP 185.5 in Waldo County, Maine);
Brewer Loop--34.2 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 191.6
in Waldo County, Maine to MP 225.8 in Penobscot County, Maine);
WC Ridge Loop--35.2 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 230.8
in Penobscot County, Maine to MP 266.0 in Hancock County, Maine); and
Baileyville Loop--30.9 miles of 36-inch-diameter pipeline
adjacent to the existing 24-inch-diameter Phase II Mainline (MP 271.3
in Washington County, Maine to MP 302.2 in Washington County, Maine).
Nearly all 233.4 miles of the required looping are in or adjacent
to the existing Joint Mainline or Phase II Mainline ROW or other
utility or road ROWs. M&NE's primary goal would be to align, as much as
possible, the new looping parallel to the existing Phase II Mainline
and Joint Mainline with a 25-foot offset. The side that the loops would
be located on would vary due to residential impacts, screening, land
use, environmental or construction issues where known to exist.
Compressor Station Facilities \2\
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\2\ Construction of the Westbrook, Searsmont, Brewer and
Woodchopping Ridge Compressor Stations was recently completed as
part of Maritimes' Phase IV Project, as described in Docket No.
CP06-335-000. These compressor stations were placed into service in
January 2009.
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A new meter station would be required at the tie-in of the Calais
LNG sendout pipeline with the M&NE's system in Baileyville, Maine.
Modifications to the existing meter station in Dracut, Massachusetts
would be necessary, as well as uprating the maximum allowable operating
pressure of the existing Joint Pipeline Facilities from Westbrook,
Maine to Dracut, Massachusetts from 1,440 to 1,600 pounds per square
inch gauge. Compression requirements for the pipeline expansion would
likely include adding a total of 63,000 horsepower of compression to
six existing compressor stations. These compressor stations include the
Eliot Compressor Station (MP 51.2), Westbrook Compressor Station (MP
101.4), Richmond Compressor Station (MP 147.3), Searsmont Compressor
[[Page 26678]]
Station (MP 185.5), Brewer Compressor Station (MP 225.8), and WC Ridge
Compressor Station (MP 266.1). M&NE would install one new Taurus 70
natural gas-driven turbine compressor at each of these stations.
Restaging and repiping the existing compressor unit and installation of
gas cooling would also be required at each station.
A map depicting the expansion of the M&NE facilities downstream of
the interconnection with Calais LNG is included in appendix 1.\3\
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\3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register, but were sent to all those
receiving this notice in the mail. Copies of all appendices 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 end of this notice.
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The EIS Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us
\4\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about
proposals. This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of
the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EIS on the
important environmental issues. By this Supplemental NOI, the
Commission staff requests public comments on the scope of the issues to
address in the EIS. All comments received will be considered during the
preparation of the EIS.
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\4\ ``We'', ``us'', and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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In the EIS, we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the planned project under these
general headings:
Geology and soils;
Land use;
Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
Cultural resources;
Vegetation and wildlife;
Air quality and noise;
Endangered and threatened species;
Hazardous waste; and
Public safety.
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned project
or portions of the project, and make recommendations on how to lessen
or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
Although no formal application has been filed, we have already
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's Pre-filing Process.
The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage early involvement
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an
application is filed with the FERC. As part of our Pre-filing review,
we have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss
their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the
EIS.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EIS. The
draft EIS will be mailed to those on our environmental mailing list
(see discussion of how to remain on our mailing list on page 6). A 45-
day comment period will be allotted for review of the draft EIS. We
will consider all timely comments and revise the document, as
necessary, before issuing a final EIS. To ensure your comments are
considered, please carefully follow the instructions in the Public
Participation section below.
With this Supplemental NOI, we are asking agencies with
jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental
issues to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS.
These agencies may choose to participate once they have evaluated the
proposal relative to their responsibilities. Agencies that would like
to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for
filing comments provided under the Public Participation section below.
Currently, the U.S. Coast Guard; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;
Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of Commerce; National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and the State of Maine
Department of Environmental Protection have expressed their intention
to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS to
satisfy their NEPA responsibilities related to this project.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the M&NE pipeline expansion for the Calais
LNG Project. By becoming a commentor, your concerns will be addressed
in the EIS and considered by the Commission. Your comments should focus
on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives
(including alternative facility sites and pipeline routes), 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 June 29,
2009.
For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to
submit your written comments to the Commission. In all instances please
reference the project docket number PF08-24-000 with your submission.
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258
[email protected].
(1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's 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 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.''
(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 Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 1,
PJ-11.1. Reference Docket No. PF08-24-000 on the original and both
copies.
Environmental Mailing List
An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the planned project. This includes all landowners who are
potential ROW grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for
project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of
aboveground facilities (as defined in the Commission's regulations).
If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to
remain on our mailing list, please return the Information Request
(appendix 2). If you do not return the Information Request, you will be
taken off the mailing list.
[[Page 26679]]
Becoming an Intervenor
Once Calais LNG files an application with the Commission, you may
want to become an ``intervenor'', which is an official party to the
proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are
able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in a Commission proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are included in the
User's Guide under the ``eFiling'' link on the Commission's Web site.
Please note that you may not request intervenor status at this time.
You must wait until a formal application for the project is filed with
the Commission.
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 Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click
on the eLibrary link, select ``General Search'' and enter the docket
number excluding the last three digits (i.e., PF08-24) in the ``Docket
Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range.
For assistance with eLibrary, the eLibrary helpline can be reached at
1-866-208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or by e-mail at
[email protected]. The eLibrary link also provides access to
the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rule makings.
In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called
eSubscription which 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
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to
the documents. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx
along with other related information.
Finally, Calais LNG has established a Web site for this project at
http://www.calaislng.com. The Web site includes a project overview,
status, potential impacts and mitigation, and answers to frequently
asked questions. You can also request additional information by calling
Calais LNG directly at 207-214-7074 or visiting the Calais LNG office
at 421 Main Street, Calais, Maine.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-12869 Filed 6-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P