Overview
Title
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is thinking about letting a company leave old pipelines in the ground instead of taking them out to avoid disturbing people and the land. They would like to know what you think about their plan, so you can tell them before the end of January 2021.
Summary AI
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has released an environmental assessment (EA) for the Lines DT and DS Replacement Project Amendment proposed by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. This project seeks permission to abandon in-place, rather than remove, two pipeline lines in Anderson and Franklin Counties, Kansas, to minimize impacts on landowners and the environment. The assessment concludes that the project would not significantly affect the human environment if appropriate mitigation measures are adopted. Interested parties are invited to submit comments on the EA before January 27, 2021, through various submission methods available on the FERC website.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Federal Register outlines an environmental assessment (EA) conducted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) concerning a proposed project by Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. The project involves the abandonment of the Lines DT and DS pipelines in-place in Anderson and Franklin Counties, Kansas. This decision aims to minimize potential impacts on landowners and the environment compared to removing the existing pipelines.
General Summary
The primary focus of this document is the proposal by Southern Star to leave the pipelines in-place as opposed to their removal. This approach is believed to be less disruptive to landowners and the natural surroundings. The EA evaluates this proposal under the guidelines of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and concludes that with appropriate mitigating measures, the project should not have a major impact on the quality of the human environment. Stakeholders, including government officials, environmental groups, and the general public, are encouraged to review and comment on the EA by January 27, 2021.
Significant Issues and Concerns
One key issue with the document is its use of complex language. The sections detailing how to submit comments are particularly technical, potentially making it difficult for the general public to understand the procedures. This complexity might deter public participation in the commenting process, which is a crucial component of environmental decision-making.
Moreover, the document lacks clarity regarding what precisely constitutes "appropriate mitigating measures." Without specific criteria or examples, it is challenging for stakeholders to assess or suggest further mitigation strategies effectively.
Additionally, the document does not provide a detailed explanation of the potential environmental impacts. A more thorough discussion would bolster the assessment's conclusion that the project will not significantly affect human health. This omission may lead to questions about the robustness of the analysis and the project's true environmental footprint.
Broad Public Impact
For the general public, this document highlights an opportunity to engage in the environmental review process by providing feedback on the EA. Such participatory opportunities are vital for democratic processes, allowing citizens to contribute to decisions that may affect their local environments.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Landowners and Residents: For those in Anderson and Franklin Counties, the decision to abandon the pipelines in-place may reduce disruption and preserve property landscapes compared to an approach involving pipeline removal. However, these benefits hinge on the effective implementation of the proposed mitigating measures.
Environmental and Public Interest Groups: These groups may view the project with cautious optimism, provided the EA's conclusions are sound. However, the absence of detailed environmental impact information might raise concerns and necessitate scrutiny.
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.: The company stands to benefit from a smoother, potentially less costly abandonment process if their proposal is accepted, aligning operational goals with environmental considerations.
Ultimately, while the document provides a starting point for discussion and decision-making, the issues identified suggest a need for greater transparency and simplicity in both communicating environmental assessments and encouraging public input.
Issues
• The document uses complex language in explaining how to file comments and what the process entails, which might be difficult for the general public to understand.
• The document does not provide clear explanation on the criteria used for assessing 'appropriate mitigating measures' related to the environmental impact.
• There is no detailed explanation of the potential environmental impacts mentioned, which makes it difficult to understand the justification for the conclusion that the project will not significantly affect human health.