2015-28770. Notice of Application

Take notice that on October 22, 2015, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC (Algonquin) and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C. (Maritimes) (together, the Applicants), 5400 Westheimer Court, Houston, Texas 77056-5310, jointly filed in the above referenced docket an application pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), and Part 157 of the Commission's regulations requesting authorization to construct and operate the Atlantic Bridge Project, all as more fully set forth in the application which is on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. The filing is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site web at http://www.ferc.gov using the “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC at [e-mail] or call toll-free, [phone] or TYY, [phone].

Any questions concerning this application may be directed to Berk Donaldson, General Manager, Rates and Certificates, Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC and Maritimes & Northeast Pipeline, L.L.C., P.O. Box 1642, Houston, Texas 77251-1642 at [phone].

Specifically the applicants propose to: (i) Construct 6.3 miles pipeline facilities and related facilities in New York and Connecticut; (ii) modify three existing compressor stations in Connecticut resulting in the addition of 18,800 horsepower (hp) of compression; (iii) construct and operate a new compressor station in Massachusetts resulting in the addition of 7,700 hp of compression; (iv) modify six existing metering, and regulator stations (M&R) and construct a new M&R Station; and (v) to abandon certain existing facilities. The Atlantic Bridge Project will allow both Algonquin and Maritimes to provide additional firm transportation. The applicants request authorization to charge an initial incremental Atlantic Bridge Project recourse rate and related incremental fuel, and also requested a pre-determination of rolled-in rates treatment for the Project. The cost of the project will be approximately $449.8 million.

On February 20, 2015 the Commission staff granted Columbia's request to utilize the Pre-Filing Process and assigned Docket No. PF15-12-000 to staff activities involved in the Project. Now, as of the filing of the October 22, 2015 application, the Pre-Filing Process for this project has ended. From this time forward, this proceeding will be conducted in Docket No. CP16-9-000, as noted in the caption of this Notice.

Pursuant to section 157.9 of the Commission's rules (18 CFR 157.9), within 90 days of this Notice, the Commission staff will either: complete its environmental assessment (EA) and place it into the Commission's public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff's issuance of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) or EA for this proposal. The filing of the EA in the Commission's public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's FEIS or EA.

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit seven copies of filings made in the proceeding with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding.

However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest.

Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commentors will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commentors will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commentors will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order.

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings of comments, protests and interventions in lieu of paper using the “eFiling” link at http://www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file electronically should submit an original and 7 copies of the protest or intervention to the Federal Energy regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426.

Comment Date: November 27, 2015.

Dated: November 5, 2015.

Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,

Deputy Secretary.