[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66707-66708]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27828]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. IC11-1-000 and IC11-1F-000]

Commission Information Collection Activities (FERC-1 and FERC-
1F); Comment Request; Submitted for OMB Review

AGENCY: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirements of section 3507 of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting the
information collections described below to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for review of the information collections requirements.
Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should
address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below.
The Commission issued a Notice in the Federal Register (76 FR 46781,
10/3/2011) requesting public comments. FERC received one comment on the
FERC-1 and the FERC-1F and has provided a response in this notice as
well as in its submission to OMB.

DATES: Comments on the collection of information are due by November
28, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Address comments on the collection of information to the
Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and Regulatory
Affairs, Attention: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Desk Officer.
Comments to Created by OMB should be filed electronically, c/o<EMAIL_ADDRESS>and include OMB Control Numbers 1902-0021 (for
FERC-1) and 1902-0029 (for FERC-1F) as a point of reference. For
comments that pertain to only one of the collections, specify the
appropriate collection and OMB Control Number. The Desk Officer may be
reached by telephone at<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    A copy of the comments should also be sent to: Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, Secretary of the Commission, 888 First Street,
NE., Washington, DC 20426. Comments may be filed either on paper or on
CD/DVD, and should refer to Docket Nos. IC11-1-001 and IC11-1F as
appropriate. Documents must be prepared in an acceptable filing format
and in compliance with Commission submission guidelines at http://www.ferc.gov/help/submission-guide.asp. eFiling and eSubscription are
not available for Docket No. IC11-1F-001, due to a system issue, but
are available for Docket No. IC11-1-001.
    All comments may be viewed, printed or downloaded remotely via the
Internet through FERC's homepage using the ``eLibrary'' link. For user
assistance, contact<EMAIL_ADDRESS>or toll-free at (866)
208-3676, or for TTY, contact<PHONE_NUMBER>.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ellen Brown may be reached by email at
<EMAIL_ADDRESS>by telephone at<PHONE_NUMBER>, and by fax at
(202) 273-0873.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with sections 304 and 309 of
the Federal Power Act, FERC is authorized to collect and record data to
the extent it considers necessary, and to prescribe rules and
regulations concerning accounts, records and memoranda. The Commission
may prescribe a system of accounts for jurisdictional companies and
after notice and an opportunity for hearing may determine the accounts
in which particular outlays and receipts will be entered, charged or
credited.
    The Form No. 1 is a comprehensive financial and operating report
submitted for electric rate regulation and financial audits. Major is
defined as having (1) one million Megawatt hours or more; (2) 100
megawatt hours of annual sales for resale; (3) 500 megawatt hours of
annual power exchange delivered; or (4) 500 megawatt hours of annual
wheeling for others (deliveries plus losses).
    FERC Form 1-F is designed to collect financial and operational
information from non-major public utilities and licensees. Non-major is
defined as having total annual sales of 10,000 megawatt-hours or more
in the previous calendar year and not classified as Major. The
Commission collects Form Nos. 1 and 1-F information as prescribed in 18
CFR 141.1 and 141.2.
    Under the existing regulations FERC jurisdictional entities subject
to its Uniform System of Accounts \1\ must annually (quarterly for the
3Q) file with the Commission a complete set of financial statements,
along with other selected financial and non financial data through the
submission of FERC Forms 1, 1-F, and 3Q.\2\ The FERC Annual/Quarterly
Report Forms provide the Commission, as well as others, with an
informative picture of the jurisdictional entities financial condition
along with other relevant data that is used by the Commission, as well
as others, in making economic judgments about the entity or its
industry.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 18 CFR part 201.
    \2\ The FERC Form 3Q data collection (OMB Control No. 205) is
not being renewed as part of this proceeding. Some information
regarding the Form 3Q is included here as it relates to the FERC
Forms 1 and 1F.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The information collected in the forms is used by Commission staff,
state regulatory agencies and others in the review of the financial
condition of regulated companies. The information is also used in
various rate proceedings, industry analyses and in the Commission's
audit programs and as appropriate, for the computation of

annual charges based on certain schedules contained on the forms. The
Commission provides the information to the public, interveners and all
interested parties to assist in the proceedings before the Commission.
    Additionally, the uniformity of information helps to present
accurately the entity's financial condition and produces comprehensive
data related to the entity's financial history helping to act as a
guide for future action. The uniformity provided by the Commission's
chart of accounts and related accounting instructions permits
comparability and financial statement analysis of data provided by
jurisdictional entities. Comparability of data and financial statement
analysis for a particular entity from one period to the next, or
between entities, within the same industry, would be difficult to
achieve if each company maintained its own accounting records using
dissimilar accounting methods and classifications to record similar
transactions and events.
    The FERC Annual Report Forms provide the Commission, as well as
others, with an informative picture of the jurisdictional entities'
financial condition along with other relevant data that is used by the
Commission in making economic judgments about the entity or its
industry. For financial information to be useful to the Commission, it
must be understandable, relevant, reliable and timely.

Public Comment and Commission Response

    The Commission received one comment from the Bureau of Economic
Analysis (BEA) in regards to the Forms Nos. 1 and 1-F. In that comment,
BEA requests additional reporting in Forms Nos. 1 and 1-F. BEA relies
on this data collection for its analysis. In response, the Commission
intends to work with BEA should there be a need to make any changes to
this data collection.

ACTION: The Commission is requesting a three-year extension of the FERC
Forms 1 and 1F reporting requirements, with no changes to the forms.
    Burden Statement: The estimated annual public reporting burden is
reflected in the following table:

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Number of         Number of      Average burden
             Data collection                 respondents      responses per       hours per       Total annual
                                              annually         respondent         response        burden hours
                                                       (1)               (2)               (3)   (1) x (2) x (3)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Form 1..................................               209                 1             1,162           242,858
Form 1F.................................                 5                 1               116               580
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total...............................  ................  ................  ................           243,438
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents on the FERC
Form 1 is $12,385,758 (242,858 hours x $51/hour \3\). The average cost
per respondent is $59,262.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The per hour figures were obtained from the Bureau of Labor
Statistics National Industry-Specific Occupational and Employment
Wage Estimates (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/naics4_221100.htm),
and are based on the mean wage statistics for staff in the areas of
management, business and financial, legal and administrative. The
mean wage was then increased by 20% to account for benefits/
overhead.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The total estimated annual cost burden to respondents on the FERC
Form 1F is $29,580 (580 hours x $51/hour \3\). The average cost per
respondent is $5,916.
    The reporting burden includes the total time, effort, or financial
resources expended to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide
the information including: (1) Reviewing instructions; (2) developing,
acquiring, installing, and utilizing technology and systems for the
purposes of collecting, validating, verifying, processing, maintaining,
disclosing and providing information; (3) adjusting the existing ways
to comply with any previously applicable instructions and requirements;
(4) training personnel to respond to a collection of information; (5)
searching data sources; (6) completing and reviewing the collections of
information; and (7) transmitting or otherwise disclosing the
information.
    The estimate of cost for respondents is based upon salaries for
professional and clerical support, as well as direct and indirect
overhead costs. Direct costs include all costs directly attributable to
providing this information, such as administrative costs and the cost
for information technology. Indirect or overhead costs are costs
incurred by an organization in support of its mission. These costs
apply to activities which benefit the whole organization rather than
any one particular function or activity.
    Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the proposed collections of
information are necessary for the proper performance of the functions
of the Commission, including whether the information will have
practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the
burden of the proposed collections of information, including the
validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance
the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected;
and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collections of information
on those who are to respond, including the use of appropriate
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection
techniques or other forms of information technology (e.g. permitting
electronic submission of responses).

    Dated: October 20, 2011.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-27828 Filed 10-26-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


	ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

	40 CFR Part 52

	[EPA-R03-OAR-2008-0931; FRL-        ]

Approval and Promulgation of Air Quality Implementation Plans; Maryland;
Attainment Demonstration for the Baltimore 8-Hour Ozone Moderate
Nonattainment Area

AGENCY:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:  Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:  EPA is proposing to disapprove the ozone attainment
demonstration portion of a comprehensive State Implementation Plan (SIP)
revision submitted by the State of Maryland to meet the Clean Air Act
(CAA) requirements for attaining the 8-hour ozone national ambient air
quality standard (NAAQS) for the Baltimore moderate nonattainment area
(Baltimore Area).  The Baltimore Area comprises Baltimore City and the
surrounding Counties of Baltimore, Carroll, Anne Arundel, Howard, and
Harford.  EPA is proposing to disapprove Maryland’s attainment
demonstration of the 8-hour ozone NAAQS for the Baltimore Area because
EPA has determined that the photochemical modeling does not demonstrate
attainment, and the weight of evidence (WOE) analysis that Maryland uses
to support the attainment demonstration does not provide the sufficient
evidence that Baltimore will attain the NAAQS by the June 2010 deadline.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before [insert date 30
days from date of publication].

ADDRESSES:  Submit your comments, identified by Docket ID Number
EPA-R03-OAR-2008-0931 by one of the following methods:

A.  www.regulations.gov.  Follow the on-line instructions for submitting
comments.

B.  E-mail:    HYPERLINK<EMAIL_ADDRESS><EMAIL_ADDRESS>.

C.  Mail:  EPA-R03-OAR-2008-0931, Cristina Fernandez, Chief, Air Quality
Planning Branch, Mailcode 3AP21, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
Region III, 1650 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

D.  Hand Delivery:  At the previously-listed EPA Region III address.
Such deliveries are only accepted during the Docket(s normal hours of
operation, and special arrangements should be made for deliveries of
boxed information.

Instructions:  Direct your comments to Docket ID No.
EPA-R03-OAR-2008-0931.  EPA's policy is that all comments received will
be included in the public docket without change, and may be made
available online at www.regulations.gov, including any personal
information provided, unless the comment includes information claimed to
be Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other information whose
disclosure is restricted by statute.  Do not submit information that you
consider to be CBI or otherwise protected through www.regulations.gov or
e-mail.  The www.regulations.gov website is an (anonymous access(
system, which means EPA will not know your identity or contact
information unless you provide it in the body of your comment.  If you
send an e-mail comment directly to EPA without going through
www.regulations.gov, your e-mail address will be automatically captured
and included as part of the comment that is placed in the public docket
and made available on the Internet.  If you submit an electronic
comment, EPA recommends that you include your name and other contact
information in the body of your comment and with any disk or CD-ROM you
submit.  If EPA cannot read your comment due to technical difficulties
and cannot contact you for clarification, EPA may not be able to
consider your comment.  Electronic files should avoid the use of special
characters, any form of encryption, and be free of any defects or
viruses.

Docket:  All documents in the electronic docket are listed in the
www.regulations.gov index. Although listed in the index, some
information is not publicly available, i.e., CBI or other information
whose disclosure is restricted by statute.  Certain other material, such
as copyrighted material, is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy form.  Publicly available docket
materials are available either electronically in www.regulations.gov or
in hard copy during normal business hours at the Air Protection
Division, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region III, 1650 Arch
Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.  Copies of the State submittal
are available at the Maryland Department of the Environment, 1800
Washington Boulevard, Suite 705, Baltimore, Maryland, 21230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Maria Pino,<PHONE_NUMBER>, or by
e-mail at   HYPERLINK<EMAIL_ADDRESS><EMAIL_ADDRESS>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

I.  What Action is EPA Proposing?

II.  What are the CAA Requirements for a Moderate 8-Hour Ozone
Nonattainment Area?

	A.  History and Time Frame for the State's Attainment Demonstration SIP

B.  CAA Requirements

III.  What was Included in Maryland’s SIP Submittals?

IV.  What is EPA's Review of Maryland’s Modeled Attainment
Demonstration and Weight of Evidence Analysis for the Baltimore Area?

V.  What are the Consequences of a Disapproved SIP?

A.  What are the CAA's Provisions for Sanctions?

B.  What are the CAA's Federal Implementation Plan (FIP) Ramifications
if a State Fails to Submit an Approvable Plan?

C.  What are the Ramifications Regarding Conformity?

VI.  What is EPA's Conclusion?

VII. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

	A.  Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

	B.  Paperwork Reduction Act

	C.  Regulatory Flexibility Act

	D.  Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

	E.  Executive Order 13132, Federalism

	F.  Executive Order 13175, Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments

	G.  Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks

	H.  Executive Order 13211, Actions that Significantly Affect Energy
Supply, Distribution, or Use

I.  National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

	J.  Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

I.  What Action is EPA proposing?

EPA is proposing to disapprove the SIP revision consisting of the 8-hour
ozone attainment demonstration plan for the Baltimore Area, which
comprises Baltimore City and the surrounding Counties of Baltimore,
Carroll, Anne Arundel, Howard, and Harford.  This SIP revision was
submitted by the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) on June 4,
2007.

EPA is proposing to disapprove Maryland’s 8-hour ozone attainment
demonstration plan for the Baltimore Area because EPA has determined
that the photochemical modeling does not demonstrate attainment, and the
weight of evidence analysis that Maryland uses to support the attainment
demonstration does not provide the sufficient evidence that Baltimore
will attain the NAAQS by the June 2010 deadline.

EPA’s analysis and findings are discussed in this proposed rulemaking
and a more detailed discussion is contained in the Technical Support
Document (TSD) for this proposal which is available on line at
HYPERLINK "www.regulations.gov"  www.regulations.gov , Docket number
EPA-R03-OAR-2008-0931.

II.  What are the CAA Requirements for a Moderate 8-Hour Ozone
Nonattainment Area?

A.  History and Time Frame for the State's Attainment Demonstration SIP

In 1997, EPA revised the health-based NAAQS for ozone, setting it at
0.08 parts per million (ppm) averaged over an 8-hour time frame
(“8-hour ozone standard”).  EPA set the 8-hour ozone standard based
on scientific evidence demonstrating that ozone causes adverse health
effects at lower ozone concentrations, and over longer periods of time,
than was understood when the pre-existing 1-hour ozone standard was set.
 EPA determined that the 8-hour standard would be more protective of
human health, especially children and adults who are active outdoors,
and individuals with a pre-existing respiratory disease, such as asthma.

On April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23951), EPA finalized its
attainment/nonattainment designations for areas across the country with
respect to the 8-hour ozone standard.  These actions became effective on
June 15, 2004.  In addition, EPA promulgated its Phase 1 Rule for
implementation

of the 8-hour standard, which provided how areas designated
nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone standard would be classified. April
30, 2004 (69 FR 23951).  Among those nonattainment areas is the SIP
revision consisting of the 8-hour ozone attainment demonstration plan
for the Baltimore Area.  EPA’s Phase 2 8-hour ozone implementation
rule, published on November 29, 2005 (70 FR 71612) specifies that states
must submit attainment demonstrations for their nonattainment areas to
the EPA by no later than three years from the effective date of
designation, that is, by June 15, 2007. See, 40 CFR 51.908(a).

B.  CAA Requirements

Pursuant to Phase 1 of the 8-hour ozone implementation rule, published
on April 30, 2004 (69 FR 23951), an area was classified under subpart 2
of Title I of the CAA based on its 8-hour design value if it had a
1-hour design value at or above 0.121 ppm.  Based on this criterion, the
Baltimore 8-hour ozone nonattainment area was classified under subpart 2
as a moderate nonattainment area.  On November 29, 2005 (70 FR 71612),
EPA published Phase 2 of the 8-hour ozone implementation rule in which
it addresses the control obligations that apply to areas classified
under subpart 2.  Among other things, the Phase 1 and 2 rules outline
the SIP requirements and deadlines for various requirements in areas
designated as moderate nonattainment.

III.  What was Included in Maryland’s SIP Submittals?

On June 4, 2007, Maryland submitted a comprehensive 8-hour ozone SIP for
Baltimore.  The SIP submittal included an attainment demonstration plan,
a reasonable further progress (RFP) plan, reasonably available control
measures analysis, contingency measures, on-road motor vehicle emission
budgets, and the 2002 base year emissions inventory.  These SIP
revisions were subject to notice and comment by the public.  The State
did not receive any comments on the proposed SIP revisions.  Only the
attainment demonstration sections of this SIP submittal are the subject
in this rulemaking.  The other sections of this SIP submittal will be
addressed in a separate rulemaking.

IV.  What is EPA's Review of Maryland’s Modeled Attainment
Demonstration and Weight of Evidence Analysis for the Baltimore Area?

Section 110(a)(2)(K) of the Clean Air Act requires states to prepare air
quality modeling to show how they will meet ambient air quality
standards.  EPA determined that states must use photochemical grid
modeling, or any other analytical method determined by the Administrator
to be at least as effective, to demonstrate attainment of the ozone
health-based standard in areas classified as ‘moderate’ or above,
and to do so by the required attainment date.  See, 40 CFR 51.908(c).
EPA specified how areas would be classified with regard to the 8-hour
ozone standard set by EPA in 1997.  See, 40 CFR 51.903.  EPA followed
these procedures and classified the Baltimore Area as moderate.  See, 69
FR 23858 (April 30, 2004).  The attainment date is June 2010 for
moderate areas; therefore states must achieve emission reductions by the
ozone season of 2009 in order for ozone concentrations to be reduced,
and attainment achieved during the last complete ozone season before the
2010 deadline.

As more fully described in the TSD, the basic photochemical grid
modeling used by Maryland in the Baltimore Area SIP meets EPA’s
guidelines, and when used with the methods recommended in EPA’s
modeling guidance, is acceptable to EPA.  EPA(s photochemical modeling
guidance is found at Guidance on the Use of Models and Other Analyses
for Demonstrating Attainment of Air Quality Goals for Ozone, PM2.5, and
Regional Haze, EPA-454/B-07-002, April 2007.  Using EPA’s methods, the
photochemical grid model, containing the modeled emission reduction
strategies prepared by Maryland and the Ozone Transport Commission
states, predicts that the 2009 ozone design value in the Baltimore Area
to be 85 parts per billion (ppb).  Thus, the photochemical model
predicts the Baltimore Area will not reach the 84 ppb concentration
level needed to show attainment of the ozone standard by the 2009 ozone
season.

EPA’s photochemical modeling guidance is divided into two parts.  One
part describes how to use a photochemical grid model for ozone to assess
whether an area will come into attainment of the air quality standard.
The second part of EPA’s photochemical modeling guidance recommends
that states complement the photochemical air quality modeling with
“aggregate supplemental analyses,” i.e., WOE analyses, if the
modeling results predict the area to be close to (within several parts
per billion either above or below) the ozone standard.  A WOE analysis
is any set of alternative methods or analyses that, when considered
together, and in combination with the modeling analysis, supports the
conclusion that the NAAQS has been attained, even in instances when the
modeling results alone do not predict attainment.

The Baltimore Area photochemical grid modeling predicts a 2009 projected
design value just above the air quality health standard (85 ppb vs. 84
ppb).  Because the modeling alone did not predict attainment by the
applicable deadline, Maryland would need to provide a WOE analysis that
in the aggregate provides evidence that the model is overestimating
future ozone concentrations.  As set forth at length in the TSD at pages
8 through 13, the modeling and air quality studies cited by Maryland do
not support claims that the model over-predicts concentrations in 2009.
Maryland has suggested that additional emission reduction strategies
that were not included in the modeling may reduce ozone in the Baltimore
Area, but many of these reductions are not yet in place or are voluntary
and mostly unquantifiable.  EPA does not believe these are likely to
reduce ozone enough to reach the standard by June 2010.  Furthermore,
Maryland has not committed to implement the voluntary measures by the
2009 ozone season.  Consequently, EPA cannot attribute much in the way
of reduction to these measures.  This issue is discussed further in the
TSD, in the section entitled “Benefits of Alternative/Voluntary
Control Strategies.”

Air quality data through 2007 are far above the level needed for
attainment and it is unlikely Maryland will be able to implement enough
emission controls to reach the standard by 2010.  The present air
quality (2007 design value 94 ppb, 2008 preliminary design value 91 ppb)
also does not support the hypothesis presented in the Maryland WOE
analysis that the models are over predicting the 2009 ozone design
values.  Present air quality concentrations should be closer to the
standard since the Baltimore Area is only two years from when it should
be attaining the standard.

The WOE analysis presented in the Maryland SIP revision for the
Baltimore Area includes the following:

an analysis of ambient air monitoring measurements and trends;

an analysis of the regional nature of ozone transport;

an analysis of model sensitivity to emission changes; and

an analysis of the potential benefits of alternative control strategies
(e.g., an aggressive telecommuting strategy).

The information and calculations provided in the Baltimore Area SIP
emphasizes methods or data that support the claim that the nonattainment
area could attain the standard by the deadline.  EPA’s review of the
WOE analyses must evaluate a spectrum of likely alternative
calculations, not only those that tend to show the area will attain the
ozone standard.  The method recommended by EPA’s guidance and other
reasonable variations on EPA’s methods predict the area will not
attain the ozone standard by 2010.

Maryland has provided considerable information in their WOE analysis
they believe supports their case that attainment of the ozone standard
in 2010.  For example, the Maryland SIP revision cites a study of the
2003 Northeast Blackout (Marufu et al., 2004) that suggests the model
under-predicts the amount of ozone reduction that actually occurred
during the electrical blackout.  During the blackout, measured ozone was
lower than expected because some power plants and some other major
sources of ozone-forming compounds were shut down.  There are at least
two ways to determine what ozone concentrations would have been if the
major sources of ozone-forming compounds operated on that day.  One way
is to model the changes with the power plants operating, and with the
power plants not operating and comparing the results.  The other is by
comparing the blackout day with a past high ozone day with similar
weather and wind patterns, when the power plants operated.  The research
cited by Maryland compared the blackout episode with days in the past
with ostensibly similar meteorology, when the sources were operating.
However, EPA concludes that the past episode when the power plants
operated is not similar enough to the blackout day to draw a valid
comparison.  The comparison day had winds coming from areas that were
not the ones most affected by the blackout, so the comparison is not
convincing.  There may be other days that were more similar to the
meteorological patterns on the blackout day, but the fact remains that
no two days are the same.  The emissions precursors, ozone, and
meteorological patterns on the day of and the days preceding the
blackout will never occur the same way twice.

Maryland cited the work of other researchers (Hu et al., 2006) who ran a
photochemical grid model on the blackout day with and without the
blacked-out emissions.  Based on this work and the work cited above
(Marufu et al., 2004) Maryland observed the modeled change in ozone was
smaller than the change in ozone measured between the comparison day and
the blackout day.  As a result, Maryland then concluded that the model
did not reduce ozone as much between the blackout and non-blackout
emissions.  Thus, this may be a sign that the model is not responsive
enough to emission reductions.  However, the differences between the
modeled change and the change between monitored days may be because a
sufficiently similar day was not found to determine how much ozone was
really reduced on the blackout day.  Another point is that these studies
did not look at the effect of the blackout on air quality in the urban
nonattainment areas like those featured in this notice.  There is no
comparison using modeling of these blackout days and similar days with
the goal of determining the effect of blacked out sources on ozone in
the northeast corridor’s urban areas or other studies that would have
attempted to explain and perhaps quantify the extent of the transport
issue in the states’ application of the photochemical grid model.

After careful review of these studies, EPA has determined that there are
significant uncertainties in the Maryland SIP revision technical
analysis and therefore does not accept Maryland’s conclusion that the
modeling system under-predicts changes in ozone as emissions change.
Arguments in the Maryland SIP revision that the model may not give full
credit for emission reductions are supported by limited modeling work.
Maryland has not tested this hypothesis with its own modeling.  EPA
believes any additional ozone reduction, beyond what is predicted by the
photochemical modeling, is likely to be far less than the 6 to 8 ppb
claimed in the Maryland SIP revision.  Therefore, EPA believes that
Maryland’s adjustment to the photochemical grid modeling results is
not supported by the information provided.

EPA has determined this information does not demonstrate that the
proposed adjustments to the photochemical grid model’s attainment year
forecast will give a more accurate answer than the calculations based on
EPA’s recommendations in its modeling guidance.  Monitored air quality
data seem to indicate that the model is under-predicting the 2009 ozone
design value for the Baltimore Area.

The result of the photochemical grid modeling analysis using EPA’s
recommended methods predicts that Baltimore Area will not attain the
standard in the attainment year of 2009.  In response to this, Maryland
has offered a number of alternative methods of using the modeling
information and additional control strategies that when taken together
might plausibly demonstrate attainment.

In general, EPA’s conclusions concerning the modeled attainment
demonstration and WOE analysis provided in the Baltimore Area SIP can be
summarized as follows:

The Baltimore Area modeling applies an appropriate photochemical grid
model and follows EPA’s guidance methods, but does not predict
attainment in June 2010.

Regardless of the issues raised by Maryland regarding the performance of
EPA’s recommended air quality models, the air quality measured during
2007 exceeded the ozone standard by a significant margin.  Even a linear
comparison of the percentage of additional emission reductions planned
by the state with the needed improvement in air quality between 2007 and
2009 indicates it is unlikely that air quality will improve enough to
meet the ozone standard by 2010. Additionally, preliminary air quality
data from the 2008 ozone season does not support demonstration of
attainment by 2010.

When comparing the measured ozone concentrations in 2007 and
(preliminary) 2008 data to concentrations predicted for 2009, using
EPA’s recommended application of the photochemical grid modeling, the
photochemical grid model does not exhibit the magnitude of inaccuracies
suggested in the Baltimore Area attainment demonstration.

In order to insure attainment, Maryland suggests that there are
additional measures that will achieve emission reductions which were not
included in the original photochemical modeling analysis.  These
measures are mainly voluntary and are not are not committed to by
Maryland as part of its attainment demonstration.  The amount of
potential air quality benefit from these measures is difficult to
estimate with any degree of certainty.  Based on EPA’s and
Maryland’s evaluation of the potential ozone benefits these additional
measures may provide for the Baltimore Area, attainment of the ozone
standard in 2010 cannot be achieved through the adoption of these
measures.

The Baltimore Area attainment demonstration greatly relied on research
which evaluated the impact of a widespread power blackout to develop an
alternative approach to estimating anticipated air quality improvements
from upwind power plants.  While EPA believes that this approach
provides some insight into the transport of ozone precursors, a critical
review of all the research available to EPA leads EPA to disagree with
Maryland’s premise that the 2009 modeled design values should be
adjusted downward for alleged model under-predictions of ozone
concentration reductions from emission reductions.

A detailed discussion of the EPA’s evaluation of the modeled
attainment demonstration and WOE analysis contained in the Maryland SIP
revision for the Baltimore Area is located in the TSD entitled
“Technical Support Document For the Modeling and Weight of Evidence
(WOE) Portions of the Document Entitled Baltimore Nonattainment Area
8-Hour Ground Level Ozone State Implementation Plan (SIP) and Base Year
Inventory, June 15, 2007.”

EPA has carefully evaluated the information provided by Maryland and
other information it deems relevant to help predict what the air quality
is likely to be by the 2009 ozone season.  After careful consideration
of all the relevant information, EPA finds that there is not
sufficiently convincing evidence that the Baltimore Area will attain the
8-hour ozone NAAQS in 2010.  The Maryland SIP revision for the Baltimore
Area does not satisfy the Clean Air Act requirement that State
Implementation Plans provide for attainment of the NAAQS by the
applicable attainment date of June 2010.

V.  What are the Consequences of a Disapproved SIP?

This section explains the consequences of a disapproval of a SIP under
the CAA.  The CAA provides for the imposition of sanctions and the
promulgation of a Federal Implementation Plan if states fail to submit a
plan that corrects any deficiencies identified by EPA in its
disapproval.

A.  What are the CAA Provisions for Sanctions?

If EPA disapproves a required SIP or component of a SIP for an area
designated nonattainment, such as the Attainment Demonstration SIP,
section 179(a) provides for the imposition of sanctions unless the
deficiency is corrected within 18 months of the final rulemaking of
disapproval.  The first sanction would apply 18 months after EPA
disapproves the SIP if a State fails to make the required submittal
which EPA proposes to fully or conditionally approve within that time.
Under EPA's sanctions regulations, 40 CFR 52.31, the first sanction
would be 2:1 offsets for sources subject to the new source review
requirements under section 173 of the CAA.  If the State has still
failed to submit a SIP for which EPA proposes full or conditional
approval 6 months after the first sanction is imposed, the second
sanction will apply.  The second sanction is a limitation on the receipt
of Federal highway funds.

B.  What are the CAA's FIP Ramifications if a State Fails to Submit an
Approvable Plan?

In addition to sanctions, if EPA finds that a State failed to submit the
required SIP revision or disapproves the required SIP revision, or a
portion thereof, EPA must promulgate a FIP no later than 2 years from
the date of the finding if the deficiency has not been corrected within
that time period.

C.  What are the Ramifications Regarding Conformity?

One consequence of EPA’s disapproval of a control strategy SIP is a
conformity freeze whereby affected Metropolitan Planning Organizations
(MPOs) cannot make new conformity determinations on long range
transportation plans and transportation improvement programs (TIPs).  If
we finalize the disapproval of the attainment demonstration SIP, a
conformity freeze will be in place as of the effective date of the
disapproval without a protective finding of the budget.  See, 40 CFR
93.120(a)(2). This means that no transportation plan, TIP, or project
not in the first four years of the currently conforming transportation
plan and TIP or that meet the requirements of 40 CFR 93.104(f) during a
12-month lapse grace period may be found to conform until another
attainment demonstration SIP is submitted and the motor vehicle
emissions budgets are found adequate or the attainment demonstration is
approved.  In addition, if the highway funding sanction is implemented,
the conformity status of the transportation plan and TIP will lapse on
the date of implementation of the highway sanctions. During a conformity
lapse, only projects that are exempt from transportation conformity
(e.g., road resurfacing, safety projects, reconstruction of bridges
without adding travel lanes, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, etc.),
transportation control measures that are in the approved SIP and project
phases that were approved prior to the start of the lapse can proceed
during the lapse.  No new project-level approvals or conformity
determinations can be made and no new transportation plan or TIP may be
found to conform until another attainment demonstration SIP is submitted
and the motor vehicle emissions budget is found adequate.

VI.  What is EPA's Conclusion?

EPA is proposing to disapprove the 8-hour ozone attainment demonstration
plan for the Baltimore moderate nonattainment area submitted by MDE on
June 4, 2007, because Baltimore’s demonstration does not in the
aggregate provide sufficient evidence for EPA to conclude that the
Baltimore Area will attain the NAAQS by the June 2010 deadline in spite
of modeling results that do not predict attainment.  EPA is deferring
action at this time on other SIP elements submitted by Maryland that are
related to the attainment demonstration, specifically, the RFP plan,
reasonably available control measures analysis, contingency measures,
on-road motor vehicle emission budgets, and the 2002 base year emissions
inventory, which will be addressed in separate rulemakings.  EPA is
soliciting public comments on the issues discussed in this document.
These comments will be considered before taking final action.

VII.  Statutory and Executive Order Reviews

A.  Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

This action is not a “significant regulatory action” under the terms
of Executive Order (EO) 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993) and is
therefore not subject to review under the EO.

B.  Paperwork Reduction Act

This action does not impose an information collection burden under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq,
because this proposed SIP disapproval under section 110 and subchapter
I, part D of the Clean Air Act will not in-and-of itself create any new
information collection burdens but simply disapproves certain State
requirements for inclusion into the SIP.  Burden is defined at 5 CFR
1320.3(b).

C.  Regulatory Flexibility Act

The Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) generally requires an agency to
conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice
and comment rulemaking requirements unless the agency certifies that the
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number
of small entities.  Small entities include small businesses, small
not-for-profit enterprises, and small governmental jurisdictions.  For
purposes of assessing the impacts of today's rule on small entities,
small entity is defined as: (1) a small business as defined by the Small
Business Administration’s (SBA) regulations at 13 CFR 121.201; (2) a
small governmental jurisdiction that is a government of a city, county,
town, school district or special district with a population of less than
50,000; and (3) a small organization that is any not-for-profit
enterprise which is independently owned and operated and is not dominant
in its field.

After considering the economic impacts of today’s proposed rule on
small entities, I certify that this action will not have a significant
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule does not
impose any requirements or create impacts on small entities.  This
proposed SIP disapproval under section 110 and subchapter I, part D of
the Clean Air Act will not in-and-of itself create any new requirements
but simply disapproves certain State requirements for inclusion into the
SIP.  Accordingly, it affords no opportunity for EPA to fashion for
small entities less burdensome compliance or reporting requirements or
timetables or exemptions from all or part of the rule.  The fact that
the Clean Air Act prescribes that various consequences (e.g., higher
offset requirements) may or will flow from this disapproval does not
mean that EPA either can or must conduct a regulatory flexibility
analysis for this action. Therefore, this action will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

We continue to be interested in the potential impacts of this proposed
rule on small entities and welcome comments on issues related to such
impacts.

D.  Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

This action contains no Federal mandates under the provisions of Title
II of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA), 2 U.S.C.
1531-1538 for State, local, or tribal governments or the private
sector.”  EPA has determined that the proposed disapproval action does
not include a Federal mandate that may result in estimated costs of $100
million or more to either State, local, or tribal governments in the
aggregate, or to the private sector.  This action proposes to disapprove
pre-existing requirements under State or local law, and imposes no new
requirements.  Accordingly, no additional costs to State, local, or
tribal governments, or to the private sector, result from this action.

E.  Executive Order 13132, Federalism

Executive Order 13132, entitled “Federalism” (64 FR 43255, August
10, 1999), requires EPA to develop an accountable process to ensure
“meaningful and timely input by State and local officials in the
development of regulatory policies that have federalism implications.”
 “Policies that have federalism implications” is defined in the
Executive Order to include regulations that have “substantial direct
effects on the States, on the relationship between the national
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities among the various levels of government.”

This action does not have federalism implications.  It will not have
substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between
the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities among the various levels of government, as
specified in Executive Order 13132, because it merely disapproves
certain State requirements for inclusion into the SIP and does not alter
the relationship or the distribution of power and responsibilities
established in the Clean Air Act.  Thus, Executive Order 13132 does not
apply to this action.

F.  Executive Order 13175, Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments

This action does not have tribal implications, as specified in Executive
Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000), because the SIP EPA is
proposing to disapprove would not apply in Indian country located in the
state, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct costs on
tribal governments or preempt tribal law.  Thus, Executive Order 13175
does not apply to this action.

G.  Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks

and Safety Risks

EPA interprets EO 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997) as applying only
to those regulatory actions that concern health or safety risks, such
that the analysis required under section 5-501 of the EO has the
potential to influence the regulation.  This action is not subject to EO
13045 because it because it is not an economically significant
regulatory action based on health or safety risks subject to Executive
Order 13045 (62 FR 19885, April 23, 1997).  This proposed SIP
disapproval under section 110 and subchapter I, part D of the Clean Air
Act will not in-and-of itself create any new regulations but simply
disapproves certain State requirements for inclusion into the SIP.

H.  Executive Order 13211, Actions that Significantly Affect Energy
Supply,

Distribution, or Use

This action is not subject to Executive Order 13211 (66 FR 28355, May
22, 2001) because it is not a significant regulatory action under
Executive Order 12866.

I.  National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

Section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of
1995 (“NTTAA”), Public Law No. 104-113, 12(d) (15 U.S.C. 272 note)
directs EPA to use voluntary consensus standards in its regulatory
activities unless to do so would be inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical
standards (e.g., materials specifications, test methods, sampling
procedures, and business practices) that are developed or adopted by
voluntary consensus standards bodies.  NTTAA directs EPA to provide
Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, explanations when
the Agency decides not to use available and applicable voluntary
consensus standards.

EPA believes that this action is not subject to requirements of Section
12(d) of NTTAA because application of those requirements would be
inconsistent with the Clean Air Act.

J.  Executive Order 12898: Federal Actions to Address Environmental
Justice in

Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations

Executive Order 12898 (59 FR 7629 (Feb. 16, 1994)) establishes federal
executive policy on environmental justice.  Its main provision directs
federal agencies, to the greatest extent practicable and permitted by
law, to make environmental justice part of their mission by identifying
and addressing, as appropriate, disproportionately high and adverse
human health or environmental effects of their programs, policies, and
activities on minority populations and low-income populations in the
United States.

EPA lacks the discretionary authority to address environmental justice
in this proposed action.  In reviewing SIP submissions, EPA’s role is
to approve or disapprove state choices, based on the criteria of the
Clean Air Act.  Accordingly, this action merely proposes to disapproves
certain State requirements for inclusion into the SIP under section 110
and subchapter I, part D of the Clean Air Act and will not in-and-of
itself create any new requirements.  Accordingly, it does not provide
EPA with the discretionary authority to address, as appropriate,
disproportionate human health or environmental effects, using
practicable and legally permissible methods, under Executive Order
12898.

In addition, this proposed rule pertaining to the Baltimore 8-hour
ozone attainment demonstration plan does not have tribal implications as
specified by Executive Order 13175 (65 FR 67249, November 9, 2000),
because the SIP is not approved to apply in Indian country located in
the state, and EPA notes that it will not impose substantial direct
costs on tribal governments or preempt tribal law.

List of Subjects in 40 CFR Part 52

Environmental protection, Air pollution control, Carbon monoxide,
Nitrogen dioxide, Ozone, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements,
Volatile organic compounds.

Authority: 42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.

____January 9, 2009____________        __/S/__________________________

Dated:                                                      Donald S.
Welsh,

Regional Administrator,

                                                                 Region
III.

 In 2008, EPA promulgated a more stringent 8-hour standard of 0.075 ppm.
 73 FR 16436 (March 27, 2008).  All references to the 8-hour ozone
standard in this rulemaking refer to the 8-hour standard promulgated in
1997.

 Additional information on the implementation of the lapse grace period
can be found in the final transportation conformity rule published on
January 24, 2008, (73 FR 4423-4425).

 PAGE

 PAGE   2

 PAGE  23


[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 164 (Monday, August 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 52113]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18514]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Combined Notice of Filings

    Take notice that the Commission has received the following Natural
Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:

    Docket Numbers: RP18-877-002.
    Applicants: MoGas Pipeline LLC.
    Description: Unopposed Motion of MoGas Pipeline LLC to Amend the
Stipulation and Agreement and Shorten the Answering Period under RP18-
877.
    Filed Date: 8/17/20.
    Accession Number: 20200817-5076.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/19/20.

    Docket Numbers: RP20-1101-000.
    Applicants: Equitrans, L.P.
    Description: Sec.  4(d) Rate Filing: Negotiated Rate Agreement--BP
8/18/2020 to be effective 8/18/2020.
    Filed Date: 8/17/20.
    Accession Number: 20200817-5124.
    Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 8/31/20.
    The filings are accessible in the Commission's eLibrary system
(https://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/fercgensearch.asp) by querying
the docket number.
    Any person desiring to intervene or protest in any of the above
proceedings must file in accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of the
Commission's Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and 385.214) on or before 5:00
p.m. Eastern time on the specified comment date. Protests may be
considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the
proceeding.
    eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying
facilities filings can be found at: http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call<PHONE_NUMBER>
(toll free). For TTY, call<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: August 18, 2020.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-18514 Filed 8-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 186 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66439-66441]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21095]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-542-000]

Golden Triangle Storage, L.L.C.; Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Golden
Triangle Storage Expansion Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document, that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the Golden Triangle Storage Expansion
Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Golden
Triangle Storage, L.L.C. (GTS) in Jefferson County, Texas. The
Commission will use this environmental document in its decision-making
process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience
and necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This

gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and the Environmental Document section of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. To ensure
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your
comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 20, 2023. Comments may be
submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments
are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
    Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission
staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the
environmental document.
    If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on September 12, 2023, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. CP23-542-000 to ensure they are considered
as part of this proceeding.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent
domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach
an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be
determined by a judge in accordance with State law. The Commission does
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these
matters.
    GTS provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I
Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including
the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's
proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of
interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov)
under the Natural Gas, Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking
on ``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 can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP23-
542-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC
20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and
submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These
instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification
and provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of
time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners,
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is
encouraged to contact OPP at<PHONE_NUMBER> or [email protected].

Summary of the Proposed Project

    GTS proposes to construct and operate two underground natural gas
storage caverns, six compressor units, a new brine disposal well and
brine pipeline, and appurtenant facilities, in Jefferson County, Texas.
The Golden Triangle Storage Expansion Project would add about 14.4
billion cubic feet of natural gas storage capacity to the existing
storage facilities.
    The Golden Triangle Storage Expansion Project would consist of the
following activities:
     developing and operating two new salt dome natural gas
storage caverns;
     constructing and operating appurtenant facilities related
to the two storage caverns;
     constructing and operating a brine disposal well and brine
disposal pipeline;
     constructing and operating six new compressor units and
appurtenances; and
     constructing and operating two new service corridors and
three new permanent access roads.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary''. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's
Public Reference Room. For assistance, contact FERC at
[email protected] or call toll free,<PHONE_NUMBER> or TTY
(202) 502-8659.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would temporarily disturb
about 31

acres of land. Following construction, GTS would maintain about 5.2
acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the
remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. About 81
percent of the proposed construction would occur within GTS' existing
Central Storage Site.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by the Commission will discuss
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation
of the proposed project under the relevant general resource areas:
     geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     environmental justice;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
    Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine
whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission
staff's independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff
prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an
Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed
project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued, which will open up an
additional comment period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS which
will be issued for public comment. Commission staff will consider all
timely comments received during the comment period on the draft EIS and
revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any EA
or draft and final EIS will be available in electronic format in the
public record through eLibrary \2\ and the Commission's natural gas
environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you
will receive instant email notification when the environmental document
is issued.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the environmental document.\3\ Agencies that would like
to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for
filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this
notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, section 1501.8.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s),
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential
effects on historic properties.\4\ The environmental document for this
project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties
and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list 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. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits
comments on the project and includes a mailing address with their
comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to
this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations,
and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by
the proposed project.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
    (1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP23-542-000 in your
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to
accept comments. OR
    (2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (Appendix 2).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number
in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at [email protected] or<PHONE_NUMBER>, or for TTY,
contact<PHONE_NUMBER>. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.

    Dated: September 21, 2023.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-21095 Filed 9-26-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P