HomeMy WebLinkAbout20140957 Ver 1_FERC Presentation_20150205Burdette, Jennifer a
From: Gibby, Jean B SAW <Jean.B.Gibby @usace.army.mil>
Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2015 2:11 PM
To: john_ellis @fws.gov; Burdette, Jennifer a; Graham, James;
Sandra.H.Williams @dom.com; Spencer.trichell @nrg- Ilc.com
Subject: FW: Oil and Gas Workgroup (Follow -up) (UNCLASSIFIED)
Attachments: RE: Oil and Gas Workgroup (Follow -up) (UNCLASSIFIED)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
As promised
Jean B. Gibby
Chief, Raleigh Field Office
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Regulatory Division
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 554 -4884, Ext. 24
The Wilmington District is committed to providing the highest level of support to the public. To help us ensure we
continue to do so, please complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey located at http : / /regulatory.usacesurvey.com /.
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Burdette, Jennifer a
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Hatten, Michael E LRH <Michael.E.Hatten @usace.army.mil>
Monday, February 02, 2015 4:34 PM
Hatten, Michael E LRH; Gibby, Jean B SAW; Frye, Jennifer S. NAO; Brown, Craig J SAW;
Gibson, Steven W NAO; Walker, William T (Tom) NAO; Beter, Dale E SAW; Beter, Dale E
SAW; Dahl, Kyle J SAW; McLendon, Scott C SAW; Wicker, Henry M JR SAW
Mullins, Ginger LRH; Chubb, Suzanne L LRD
RE: Oil and Gas Workgroup (Follow -up) (UNCLASSIFIED)
Lykens FERC presentation COE.PPTX
FYSA,
Attached is a copy of FERC's presentation, which will be presented on 4 Feb 2015 at fpm.
Michael Hatten
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District Acting Chief, Energy Resource Branch
304 - 399 -5210 Phone 304 - 399 -5085 Fax
304 - 399 -6918 Direct 304 - 638 -9573 Cell
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Hatten, Michael E LRH
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 11:09 PM
To: Gibby, Jean B SAW; Frye, Jennifer S. NAO; Brown, Craig J SAW; Gibson, Steven W NAO; Walker, William T (Tom) NAO;
Beter, Dale E SAW; Beter, Dale E SAW; Dahl, Kyle J SAW; McLendon, Scott C SAW; Wicker, Henry M JR SAW; Mullins,
Ginger LRH; Hatten, Michael E LRH
Subject: Oil and Gas Workgroup (Follow -up) (UNCLASSIFIED)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Oil and Gas Workgroup,
As a follow -up to our teleconference last week, below is information on the upcoming FERC workshop and attached is an
example of a multi- district coordination letter (in LRD), Huntington District's Multi- district Oil and Gas Projects tracking
spreadsheet (draft), LRD Oil and Gas Project POCs, example of Ohio Oil and Gas Fact Sheet (developed by LRB), and our
file naming convention used in ORM data entry (useful for ORM queries and sorting project work types).
Please reference the workshop /agenda below and submit any additional topics or questions you may like to be
addressed by FERC during the workshop next week. We have contacted FERC and advised them that we may request
some additional topics, so please submit these to me by COB 30 Jan.
FERC Workshop /Agenda:
LRH Regulatory Division has setup a FERC workshop for 4 Feb 2015 (at 1pm). The workshop will cover FERC's NEPA
Process for Natural Gas Projects, FERC's regulatory responsibility outside of NEPA (toward granting a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity), and FERC's role and timeline in carrying out its NEPA responsibilities along with other
agencies. The FERC presenters are responsible for working with the oil and gas activities within the Appalachian region.
A web meeting will allow our field folks to attend as well as other Regulatory districts. The audio and web meeting
information is provided below.
-------------------- - - - - -- Audio Conference -------------------- - - - - --
USA Toll -Free: 888 - 273 -3658
ACCESS CODE: 9516903
---------------------- - - - - -- Web Meeting ---------------------- - - - - --
Web Meeting Address: https: / /www.webmeeting.att.com < https: / /www.webmeeting.att.com>
Meeting Number(s): 888 - 273 -3658 or 213 - 270 -2124
ACCESS CODE: 9516903
FERC Attendees:
Alisa M. Lykens, Chief
Gas Branch 2
Division of Gas - Environment and Engineering Office of Energy Projects Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(202) 502 -8766
Juan I. Polit
Gas Branch 2 /Office of Energy Projects
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 1st Street N.E., PJ11.2
Washington D.C., 20426
(202)- 502 -8652 phone
(202)- 208 -0353 fax
0uan.polit @ferc.gov
Brian Sterner, PWS (Contractor for FERC)
ERM
800 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 290
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Mobile: 412 - 559 -2139
Direct: 724 - 933 -5834
Fax: 724 - 933 -5464
brian.sterner(@erm.com
Innnnni arm rnm
Thanks for reaching out to LRH RD for the call last week. I hope this information sharing is helpful, organized /routine
calls may be beneficial for all districts involved.
Thankyou
Michael Hatten
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District Chief, Energy Resource Branch
304 - 399 -5210 Phone 304 - 399 -5085 Fax
304 - 399 -6918 Direct 304 - 638 -9573 Cell
PEI
- - - -- Original Message---- -
From: Gibby, Jean B SAW
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2015 11:11 AM
To: Frye, Jennifer S. NAO; Brown, Craig J SAW; Gibson, Steven W NAO; Walker, William T (Tom) NAO; Beter, Dale E SAW;
Hatten, Michael E LRH; Beter, Dale E SAW; Dahl, Kyle J SAW
Subject: Dominion Notes from Raleigh Regulatory (UNCLASSIFIED)
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Team,
I know that I missed some folks, but here is a copy of the notes I took during our teleconference. If I miswrote
something, please let me know.
Thanks so much,
Jean B. Gibby
Chief, Raleigh Regulatory Field Office
3331 Heritage Trade Drive, Suite 105
Wake Forest, NC 27587
(919) 554 -4884, Ext. 24
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE
FERC Introduction
Meeting
February 3 and 4, 2015
Alisa M. Lykens — Chief, Gas Branch 2
Division of Gas — Environment & Engineering
Office of Energy Projects
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
SPEAKER'S NOTES
FERC
Who is FERC? (D
FERC is an independent federal regulatory agency
that:
• Regulates the interstate transmission of natural gas
(siting & rates); electricity and oil (rates only);
• Reviews proposals to build interstate natural gas
pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, and
natural gas storage fields (National Enviro. Policy Act)
• Licenses and inspects non - federal hydropower projects
Office of Energy Projects
Ir
FERC
FERC Organization Chart
Chairman Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner
Cheryl LaFleur Philip D. Moeller Tony Clark Norman Bay Colette D. Honorable
.............................. .................................................................................
E Enforcement Electric E. Affairs Counsel 1
Administrative Administrative Energy Market Executive Energy Policy &
Litigation Law Judges Regulation Director Innovation
Offffi-ce Energy Projects
FERC
FERC's Siting Authority C)
, Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act
- Determination of public convenience and necessity
Energy Policy Act of 2005
- Assigns FERC exclusive siting authority —does not
preempt other required federal authorizations
- Optional use of Pre - Filing Process for pipeline projects
- Names FERC lead agency for NEPA review and
coordinator of all federal authorizations
Office of Energy Projects
M
FERC
Projects Exempt from
FERC Jurisdiction .'
Local Distribution Company facilities (e.g., PSE &G New
Jersey Natural Gas, etc.)
Intrastate pipelines (where gas is produced, transported
and consumed within a single state)
Hinshaw pipelines (gas is produced in one state, but is
received at the state border of another and transported
and consumed within that state)
Production and gathering facilities
Office of Energy Projects
5
FERC
State and Local Permits
AYY OY'f
FERC encourages cooperation between interstate
pipelines and local authorities.
Goal is to work with agencies to identify and minimize
conflicting requirements
, If the Commission approves a project, state or local
permits must be consistent with the conditions of any
FERC certificate
State and local agencies may not prohibit or
unreasonably delay the construction or operation of
facilities approved by the Commission
Office of Energy Projects
A
FERC
FERC Role
FERC is the lead for NEPA review; coordinator of federal
authorizations
. Other agencies urged to participate in process
FERC establishes a schedule for all Federal authorizations
• Ensures expeditious processing of all natural gas project
permits and authorizations
• Federal authorization decisions to be issued within 90
days of FERC's Final NEPA document
, FERC to maintain complete consolidated record
. Provides for swifter judicial review G)
Office of Energy Projects
7
FERC
Division of Gas ,.
Environment and En
t ineerin 9)
g�
Evaluate applications and conduct environmental
reviews /siting for jurisdictional gas facilities:
. Import /Export, Storage, Interstate Transmission,
Abandonment, LNG
, Conduct inspections of jurisdictional facilities
. LNG facilities and pipeline construction
Office of Energy Projects
0
SPEAKER'S NOTES
FERC
Phases of Project Review
Marketing and Preliminary Project Design
The applicant working on its own
Pre- Filing
FERC staff working with the applicant and stakeholders before
the filing of an application
Application Review
FERC preparing NEPA document that is reviewed by
cooperating agencies prior to public issuance for comment
, Post - Authorization
FERC staff working to ensure compliance with conditions to the
FERC approval
Office of Energy Projects
FERC
File
Application
Certificate Process
Non - Environmental Review and Analysis
• Engineering — GQI, storage, hydraulic flow
• Tariff — rates, terms & conditions of service
• Policy — precedents, rules, regulations
• Accounting
Preparation of EA or EIS
• Project description/ purpose and need
• Water Resources
• Ecology — fish, wildlife, vegetation
• Cultural Resources — historic preservation
• Land use /socioeconomics — recreation, aesthetics
• Soils and geology
• Air and noise
• Alternatives
Y;}
L
Issue
Order
10
FERC
and, w
The Pre - Filing Process ;
More interactive NEPA /permitting process, no shortcuts
Be more proactive and explore ways to Outreach
Earlier, more direct interaction between FERC, other
agencies, stakeholders, and the applicant
Transparency in the Pre - Filing Review Process
Goal is to resolve problems and have "no surprises"
Encourages cooperation with federal, state, and local
authorities
FERC sta f f is an advocate f or the Ealcess, not the project
Office of Energy Projects
11
FERC
NEPA Pre - Filing Review
AYY OY'f
, Project is in the preliminary planning phase
r Formal application has not been filed
, Purpose of the Pre - Filing Process
• encourage involvement by interested stakeholders in a
manner that allows for the early identification and
resolution of issues
• identify and attempt to address environmental issues
prior to the time when an application is filed
• Review and comment on draft resource reports
Office of Energy Projects
12
FERC
FERC Pre - Filing Activities
1
Identify affected parties
. landowners
• agencies
• other stakeholders
Facilitate identification
of issues
, Identify study needs
, Facilitate resolution of
issues
, Issue scoping notice
, Examine alternatives
Arrange and attend site
visits and meetings
Initiate preparation of
preliminary NEPA
document
, Review draft resource
reports
Office of Energy Projects
13
FERC
i
2
3
4
5
6
7
Resource Reports
AYY OY'f
General Project 8. Land Use, Recreation &
Description Visual Impacts
Water Use & Quality s. Air Quality & Noise
Fish, Wildlife & 1o. Alternatives
Vegetation 11. Reliability & Safety
Cultural Resources 12. PCB Contamination (for
Socioeconomics pipelines only)
Geological
Resources 13. LNG Engineering &
Soils Design Details
Office of Energy Projects
14
Not subject to ex parte rules
Participating
• Same as cooperating agency during pre - filing stage
• Limits to communication and review during application stage
Intervenor
• Must file a formal motion to intervene
• Submissions must be served on the applicant and all other parties
to the proceeding
• May seek rehearing of the FERC decision and possibly judicial
review at the Court of Appeals.
Office of Energy Projects
15
FERC
FERC /Agency
Actions During Pre - Filing
Review route, identify study needs, and examine
alternatives
, Connect with affected stakeholders
Participate in applicant open houses, hold interagency
meetings, inform local elected officials, and meet with
landowners
, Facilitate identification and resolution of issues
Analyze draft resource reports and initiate preparation
of NEPA document
Office of Energy Projects
16
FERC
Applicant's Responsibilities pp p D
,Route development, infrastructure assessment,
engineering design, and environmental surveys
,Recognize and address stakeholders' concerns
and develop public participation plan
,Invite the public to open houses
.Prepare FERC and other permit applications
Engage in proactive planning and communication
Office of Energy Projects
Prepare draft resource reports and develop mitigation plans
17
SPEAKER'S NOTES
FERC
Applicant's Responsibilities
at Filing Time Q
, Identify and address agency and stakeholder
concerns
Provide consistent information to agencies and
stakeholders
, Submit complete FERC application
Provide FERC its proposed schedule of Federal
applications and anticipated receipt dates
File for all Federal authorizations before or
concurrent with FERC application filing
Office of Energy Projects
Discipline by the applicants:
Be Proactive — Teamwork - Engage
bring the agencies and others together
Involve them in project planning
in
FERC
FERC /Coop. Agency Actions
During Application Review 0
,Develop and issue data requests, if needed
.Prepare /review EA or draft EIS
,FERC issues EA or draft EIS
.Attend comment meeting on draft EIS
.Address comments and issues final EIS
Office of Energy Projects
19
FERC
Federal Permitting
Agencies' Responsibilities
Identify concerns during pre- filing process
. Focus on details and resource concerns early
, Within 30 days of receiving a request for
authorization from the applicant:
• Notify FERC if application is complete
• Specify any additional information needs and timing
. Identify any required studies
. Clarify ability to meet the applicant's proposed
schedule
. Identify relevant statutory timeframes
Office of Energy Projects
20
FERC
Federal Permitting
Agencies' Responsibilities
File any data requests with FERC within 10
days
Contribute to FERC's consolidated record
Provide a final decision within 90 days of
FERC's final environmental document
(EA /FEIS)
. Unless other statutory timeframes exist
Office of Energy Projects
21
Public
Input
Opportunities
Public
Input
Opportunities
Public
Input
Opportunities
Applicant Process
Assesses market need and
considers prior" feasibility
Requests use of
FERC's Pre - Filing Process
Studies potential site locations
Identifies Stakeholders
Holds open house to discuss project
I
Conducts route studies and field surveys. Develops
applicator.
I
Files formal application with the FEHC
FERG Process
Recerves Applicant's request to conduct its review of
the project within FERC's NEPA Pre- Filing Process
Formally Approves Pre - Filing Process and issues PF
Docket He. to Applicant
Participates in Applicant's open house
Issues Notice of Intent
for Preparation of an EIS opening the
soaping period to seek public comments.
Holds public seeping meedng(s) and
site visits in the project area.
Consults with interested stakeho4ders.
I
Issues Notice of Application
Analyzes data and prepares Draft EIS
Issues craft EIS
and opens comment peril
Holds public comment meetings on the Draft EIS in the
projeclt area
Responds to comments
and revises the Draft EIS
Issues Final EIS
Parties can request. FERG
to rehear decision
Submits outstanding information to satisfy conditions Issues Notice to Proceed
of Commission Order with construction_
22
Public
Input
opportunities
Public
Input
opportunites
Public
Input
Opportunities
Applicant Process
Assesses market need and
considers project feasibility
Requests use of
FERC's Pre - Filing Process
Studies potential site locations
Identifies Stakeholders
Holds open house to discuss project
I
Conduits route studies and field surveys. C—lops
applicafi-
Files formal application with the FERC
Submits outstanding information to satisfy conditions
of Commission Order
FERC Process
Receives Applicant's request to conduct its review of
the project within FERCs NEPA Pre�Filing Process
t
Formally Approves Pre - Filing Process and issues PF
Docket No. to Applicant
Participates in Applicant's open house
r
Issues Notice of Intent
for Preparation of an FA opening the
souping period to seek public comments.
I
May hold public seeping meetings) and
site visits in the project area.
Consults with interested stakeholders.
i
Issues Notice ol'Applicaticn
Analyzes data arW prepares EA
If no scoping comments are received, FA is placed
directly into ELibrary. Ifsubstantive comments are
received, EA is mailed out for public comment.
Responds to comments
Parties can request FERC
to rehear decision
I
_ issues Notice to Proceed
with construction.
23
Environmental Compliance
Management Program
Construction
24
Objectives: Discuss Daily Tasks
Prior to construction
During construction
Ensuring compliance
Today I'm going to talk about what some of our daily tasks are once the certification
process is complete, and an Order is issued for the project.
I'll go over what we do prior to construction, during construction and how we make
sure the applicant does what they said they would.
25
FERC's Plan and Procedures
Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation and Maintenance Plan
Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures
, Baseline mitigation measures for construction and
maintenance activities at jurisdictional facilities
Revised versions issued May 2013 (Docket No. AD12 -2-
000)
See http: / /www.ferc.gov/ industries /gas /enviro /guidelines.asp.
Also referred to at 18 CFR 380.12(i)(5), 380.12(d)(2), and 18 CFR
157.206(b)(3)(iv).
The FERC Plan and Procedures provide baseline mitigation measures for
construction and maintenance activities.
The Plan relates to upland areas and the Procedures relates to wetlands and
waterbodies
A revised version was issued in May of last year, and that's available on the FERC
website.
26
Prior to Construction
, Once the Commission approves the
project:
• Review Implementation Plan provided by Applicant
• Ensure all relevant federal authorizations are received
• Applicant Environmental Training — FERC staff
attends if possible
• Grant Applicant a Notice to Proceed with
Construction, via letter from the Director of OEP
Once the Commission approves a project, the Applicant will provide an
Implementation Plan which outlines construction.
We review that to make sure it satisfies all conditions in the Order, as well as follows
other best management practices as outlined in the environmental document.
Once we approve the IP and give a notice to proceed with construction,
environmental training must be held for all personnel who will be on site or involved
in construction of the project.
Once that is complete, then Construction may begin.
27
During Construction- Inspections
FERC Inspections
, 1) FERC staff
2) Inspection Contractor- Tetra Tech
3) Third party compliance monitoring program
During construction, the Applicant will always
have at least 1 Environmental Inspector per
construction spread on site.
The frequency of how often inspections take place depends on the type of project,
the scope of the project, whether there are significant environmental concerns or if
there is project controversy.
Either FERC staff can do the inspection, or we can have a contractor from Tetra
Tech represent FERC staff and do the inspection. They'll prepare inspection reports
which will get posted on eLibrary.
The Applicant can also agree to participate in the 3rd Party Compliance Monitoring
Program. The biggest benefit to this program is a quicker review process for
variance requests. I'll talk about variances in a few minutes.
For the 3rd party program, there is a compliance monitor and a compliance
manager, who are an extension of FERC staff. The monitor is on site everyday
while construction is occurring and they will provide daily inspection reports The
compliance manager provides weekly summary reports which get posted online.
FERC staff will still go out periodically to do inspections with the monitor and
compliance manager. Having a monitor in the field helps us to know exactly what is
happening each day. Such as if there are any environmental issues, or any
W
potential project changes coming.
During construction, the Applicant will always have at least 1 Environmental Inspector
per construction spread on site.
The applicant is also required to prepare weekly or Bi- Weekly Project Reports,
which are also sent to FERC and posted in eLibrary.
The reports summarize the project construction status and any issues which
have come up.
Required until construction and restoration activities are complete
Construction status by spread
Compliance and landowner issues and corrective actions
Use of "pre- authorized" additional work areas
Planned work activities
M
Typical Compliance Levels
Communication
• Document and track relevant meetings or discussions
Acceptable
• Area or activity is in compliance and mitigation measures are
adequately implemented
Problem Area
• Location or activity does not meet definition of acceptable but is not
a non - compliance
Non- compliance
• Activity is not in compliance, results in damage to resources, or
places sensitive resources at risk
Serious Violation
• Activity caused harm or poses a serious threat to environmental
resources
FERC has 5 different reporting levels for compliance inspections. The last 4 are
used when either FERC or Tetra Tech are doing the inspections.
When we're using the 3rd party compliance program, we also have the added level
of Communication. These are usually discussions between our Compliance Monitor
and the Applicant's Environmental Inspector.
29
Common Compliance Issues
Inadequate secondary containment
, Use of unapproved access roads
, Conducting activities outside the approved
construction work area
, Topsoil /subsoil mixing
, Dewatering
Although we'd love for a project to be in construction with no problems, that rarely
happens. Here's a list of some of the more common compliance issues that we
come across.
The point to be made is that we are constantly monitoring construction and
restoration, AND until all compliance issues are resolved and restoration is
proceeding satisfactorily, we will not approve "in- service" for a project.
And now it's time for some pictures!
30
Secondary containment is a common compliance issue. We require that all
equipment containing fluids hazardous to environmental resources have a double
layer of protection in case there is a leak. While a child's wading pool is a common
form of secondary containment, it is not being used properly here. The pump to the
right should be in the wading pool rather than a member of the environmental crew.
If there was a leak in the pump, harmful fluids could leak into the waterbody nearby.
This would probably be a Problem Area if the pump is not actually leaking, because
it's a fairly quick fix. If the pump is leaking or there are multiple other instances of
improper secondary containment, that would probably be a non - compliance.
31
Trench subsidence- This happened after a spring thaw during construction in frozen
conditions. The Applicant must re -grade subsoil and restore topsoil grade.
Just a problem area.
32
This is an example of restoration proceeding satisfactorily only a few months after
construction was complete. You can see the proper erosion control devices still in
place and the "neck- down" area at the bottom of the hill which allowed for fewer
impacts on sensitive resources.
33
You can see the restoration proceeding satisfactorily here. The restoration efforts
doing better than the surrounding landscape. But, once the land continues into other
growing seasons, it will be hard to tell where the right -of -way is.
34
FERC
Contact Information
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20426
Interagency Coordinator Outreach Coordinator
Joanne Wachholder David Hanobic
202.502.8056(D 202.502.8312
joanne.wachholder @ferc.gov david.hanobic @ferc.gov
Compliance Manager
Danny Laffoon
202.502.6257
da n ny. laffoon @ ferc.gov
35
FERC
Contact Information
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, DC 20426
0
Alisa Lykens
202.502.8766
alisa.lykens@@ferc.gov
36