| Public Notice |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Environmental Assessment and Comment Period, Stagecoach Gas Storage and Expansion Projects, Towns of Owego and Nichols, Tioga County
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the underground natural gas storage project proposed by Central New York Oil and Gas Company, LLC (CNYOG) in the Towns of Owego and Nichols in Tioga County. The proposed project, known as the Stagecoach Storage Project, has been assigned FERC docket numbers CP00-61-000, CP00-62-000 and CP00-63-000. The EA was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). FERC staff has concluded that approval of the proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment. Comments on the EA must be received by the FERC in Washington, DC on or before October 16, 2000.
The Federal NEPA process supplies the environmental review procedure for these applications. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has filed with FERC as an intervenor to participate in the federal process, and will be providing comments to FERC in the Federal EA process to help ensure that environmental impacts are appropriately addressed. Members of the public may participate in the federal review, according to the procedures described following the list of required Department permits. Additionally, DEC will ensure compliance with New York State (NYS) environmental laws through the state permit process, and interested members of the public are encouraged to participate in the NYS process, as well. The EA and permit application documents are available for review at the DEC's Division of Mineral Resources office at 50 Wolf Road in Albany and at the DEC Region 7 Division of Environmental Permits office in Cortland.
The Stagecoach Storage Project also includes a 4.7-mile-long, 12-inch-diameter pipeline (Twin Tier Lateral) from the Central Compressor Facility to a proposed electric generating facility (Twin Tier Power Plant); and a 1.5-mile-long 115 (kilovolt) kV electric transmission line that would extend from the Central Compression Facility to a point of interconnection with a 115 kV transmission line owned by the New York State Electric & Gas Corporation. Neither the proposed Twin Tier Lateral nor the proposed electric transmission line are subject to FERC jurisdiction.
The Stagecoach Storage Project would have a working gas capacity of up to 13.6 billion cubic feet (Bcf), with the capability of withdrawals of as much as 500 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) and injections of as much as 250 MMcf/d.
Required Department permits and approvals:
| Permit/Approval | Status | DEC Contact Person |
| Section 401Water Quality Certification | Incomplete | Michael Barylski
Division of Environmental Permits (607) 753-3095 |
| Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Construction Activity | 12/99: Applicant filed Notice of Intent (NOI) for 8 test wells; additional NOI will need to be filed for additional work | same as above |
| Hydrostatic Testwater General Discharge Permit | Incomplete | same as above |
| Natural Heritage Program Consultation | Consultation complete, 7/99 | same as above |
| State Endangered and Threatened Species Consultation | Consultation complete, 6/99 | same as above |
| Air Permit | Application not yet filed | same as above |
| Well Drilling Permits | To be issued individually. Wells 1 and 2 permitted 7/3/00 and 8/16/00. | Randall Nemecek
Division of Mineral Resources (716) 226-5371 |
| Underground Storage Permit | Incomplete | Kathleen Sanford
Division of Mineral Resources (518) 457-3682 |
The EA has been placed in the public files of the FERC. A limited number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ; Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch; 888 First Street, N.E., Room 2A; Washington, DC 20426; (202) 208-1371.
Copies of the EA have been mailed to Federal, state and local agencies, public interest groups, interested individuals, newspapers, and parties to this proceeding.
Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. To ensure consideration prior to a Commission decision on the proposal, it is important that FERC receive your comments before the date specified below. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are received in time and properly recorded:
Comments will be considered by the Commission but will not serve to make the commentor a party to the proceeding. Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision.
Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered.
Additional information about the proposed project is available from the Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (202) 208-0004 or on the FERC Internet website (www.ferc.fed.us) using the "RIMS" link to information in this docket number. Click on the "RIMS" link, select "Docket #" from the RIMS Menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to RIMS, the RIMS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2222.
Similarly, the "CIPS" link on the FERC Internet website provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. From the FERC Internet website, click on the "CIPS" link, select "Docket #" from the CIPS menu, and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to CIPS, the CIPS helpline can be reached at (202) 208-2474.
| Negative Declaration |
Madison County - The Madison County Industrial Development Agency, as lead agency, has determined that the proposed Dielectric Laboratories, Inc. Project will not have a significant adverse environmental impact. The action involves a leasehold on an approximately 1.377-acre parcel of land, together with a license providing access to the existing land and two existing buildings; construction of an approximately 60,000 square foot addition to the existing facility, improvements to the existing facility, the acquisition and installation of machinery and equipment for the manufacture of electronic components and the granting of financial assistance, and lease or sale of the project facility. The project is located on 2777 NYS Route 20 East in the Town of Nelson.
Contact: Peter L. Cann, Madison County Industrial Development Agency, Canastota Business Center, Madison Boulevard, Canastota, NY 13032, phone: (315) 697-9817