FERC staff will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) of a trio of projects in two dockets that would expand mainline capacity of Texas Eastern Transmission LP by a combined 622,000 Dth/d to serve markets in the Midwest and Southeast with natural gas from the Marcellus and Utica shales.

The projects are Access South, Adair Southwest and Lebanon Extension [CP16-3-000, CP16-3-001]. They have been targeted by environmentalists calling for Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff to prepare a more rigorous environmental impact statement on them (see Shale Daily, Sept. 14, 2015).

Proposed facilities for the projects include 15.8 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline loop in three segments, most of which would be either within or adjacent to Texas Eastern’s rights-of-way in Athens, Meigs, Noble and Monroe counties, OH; and 0.5 mile of 16-inch diameter replacement pipeline within an existing right-of-way in Attala County, MS.

In addition two pig launcher/receivers would be relocated and two new pig launcher/receivers would be installed in Monroe County, OH. Proposed modifications to aboveground facilities would include those necessary to allow for bi-directional flow and meter reversals at 12 existing compressor stations. In addition, a new 16,875 hp electric compressor would be added at the Tompkinsville Compressor Station in Monroe County, KY.

Additionally, the FERC staff opened a second scoping period for landowners not included in a notice of intent mailing on Aug. 1 during the prefiling review in docket PF15-17. Staff said Texas Eastern will be negotiating with landowners on rights-of-way but warned that if the projects are certificated, right of eminent domain will apply.