2019-22998. Texas Eastern Transmission LP; Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Bailey East Mine Project

On August 19, 2019, Texas Eastern Transmission LP (Texas Eastern) filed an application in Docket No. CP19-501-000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project, known as the Bailey East Mine Project (Project), would ensure safe and efficient operation of existing Texas Eastern pipeline facilities for the duration of planned longwall mining activities.

On September 3, 2019, 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—January 28, 2020

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline—April 27, 2020

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

Texas Eastern proposes excavate and elevate sections of four natural gas transmission pipelines due to longwall mining activities in Marshall County, West Virginia. The project would allow for safe and efficient operation of Texas Eastern's existing pipeline facilities for the duration of the longwall mining activities planned by CONSOL Energy Inc. in the area beneath Texas Eastern's pipelines. The four mainline segments will remain in-service and be elevated using sandbags and skids for about 2 years until the longwall mining activities have completed and any potential ground subsidence has settled.

Background

On October 3, 2019, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Bailey East Mine 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. In response to the NOI, the Commission received no comments to date. 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 www.ferc.gov/​docs-filing/​esubscription.asp.

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., CP19-501), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at [phone], TTY [phone], or at [e-mail]. 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: October 16, 2019.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.