Kinder Morgan Pre-Files Pipeline Plan With FERC
This article was largely based on information provided to the Groton Herald in a press release by Kinder Morgan, parent company of the Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company [TGP].
For the past several months, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (TGP) has been planning the proposed Northeast Energy Direct Project, designed to provide much needed additional natural gas infrastructure for New England, Kinder Morgan said in a recent press release.
Tennessee Gas Pipeline [TGP] has reached commercial agreements with several Massachusetts and New England local distribution companies, and on September 15, 2014, they filed a request to implement a pre-filing process with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This request was assigned Docket No. PF14-22-000. You can access information regarding the filing through FERC's
eLibrary at www.FERC.gov.
FERC will review TGP's request and TGP anticipates that the FERC will issue a notice officially opening the pre-filing process within the next several weeks.
According to Kinder Morgan, the pre-filing process allows for "open and transparent interaction between FERC Staff and stakeholders regarding the Project before the formal certificate application is filed" , adding that the prefiling process is "intended for early identification and resolution of environmental and other important issues." During pre-filing, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. will file detailed draft environmental resource reports with FERC for review and comment.
The public will have multiple opportunities to participate in the FERC's pre-filing review. During pre-filing, TGP will send notice of the Project to affected landowners, post notices in newspapers, and hold open houses.
Landowners will be advised how to participate in the pre-filing process as well as the FERC certificate process.
FERC will issue a scoping notice, requesting public comments and allow interested individuals to comment on the Project. FERC will also hold public scoping meetings during pre-filing.
Once pre-filing is complete, TGP will file a formal certificate application seeking FERC approval of the project under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act.
