[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 159 (Monday, August 17, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 50019]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-17917]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP20-479-000]
Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for
Environmental Review of The 2021 Auburn A-Line Abandonment and Capacity
Replacement Project
On June 11, 2020, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an
application in Docket No. CP20-479-000 requesting abandonment
authorization and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
pursuant to Section 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon,
construct, and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities in
Lancaster, Otoe, Johnson, and Nemaha counties, Nebraska. The proposed
project is known as the 2021 Auburn A-Line Abandonment and Capacity
Replacement Project (Project), and Northern states it would modernize
Northern's pipeline system, improve reliability, and enable safer long-
term operation of the system.
On June 25, 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 December 11, 2020
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline March 11, 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 to abandon in-place 31.7 miles of 4- to 6-inch-
diameter A-line in Lancaster, Otoe, Johnson, and Nemaha counties,
Nebraska. In addition, Northern proposes to construct and operate about
4.4 miles of new 8-inch-diameter pipeline and install a launcher and a
regulation station in Lancaster and Otoe counties, Nebraska.
Background
On July 24, 2020, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 2021 Auburn A-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. 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., CP20-479), 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: August 11, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-17917 Filed 8-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P