Overview
Title
Notice of Request for Extension of Time; Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc.
Agencies
ELI5 AI
Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. wants more time to finish their gas project because of COVID-19 and bad weather, so they asked for six more months from those in charge. People can say what they think about this request for 15 days, and if there are disagreements, the decision might take a while, but if not, it’s quicker.
Summary AI
Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. requested the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for a six-month extension to complete a project in Harrison County, West Virginia, due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and weather issues. The original deadline for completing the project was February 22, 2021, but they now seek to extend it to August 22, 2021. The FERC has opened a 15-day period for comments and interventions regarding this request. The Commission typically acts on these requests within 45 days if they're contested, while uncontested requests are handled by the OEP Director or their designee.
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AnalysisAI
General Summary
The document in question pertains to a request by Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc. for an extension to complete a project involving the relocation and reconfiguration of natural gas storage wells and pipelines in West Virginia. Initially authorized to complete this undertaking by February 22, 2021, the company seeks an additional six months due to unforeseen delays caused primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic and adverse weather conditions. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has opened a period for the public and stakeholders to comment or intervene on this extension request.
Significant Issues or Concerns
One notable issue within the document is the lack of explicit detail surrounding the potential consequences if the extension is not granted. This information would provide valuable insight into why the extension is necessary. Furthermore, the section detailing the suspension of FERC's Public Reference Room due to COVID-19 seems outdated and might not reflect current conditions or alternatives for accessing information.
The document is dense with legal jargon and citations that may be arcane to those who are not well-versed in federal regulations. References to specific regulations and decisions, such as "18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211," could present challenges for the general public in understanding the procedural complexities involved in filing comments or interventions.
Impact on the Public
For the general public, this document highlights regulatory procedures that can delay infrastructure projects, underscoring the impact of global events like the COVID-19 pandemic on local and national projects. The request for extension, if granted, may delay anticipated benefits from the project's completion, such as changes in local energy infrastructure or potential economic opportunities tied to the project.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Positive Impacts: - Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage, Inc.: Approval of the requested extension would offer the company necessary flexibility to adjust timelines and resources due to uncontrollable external factors. - Local Economy: A successful completion of the project could bring economic benefits such as job creation and improved energy infrastructure in Harrison County, West Virginia.
Negative Impacts: - Environmental and Public Interest Groups: These stakeholders may view the delay and potential for extended construction activity as extending environmental disturbances or affecting public lands longer than anticipated. - Local Residents: Continued or delayed construction may further inconvenience local communities, affecting traffic, noise levels, or landscape views.
Overall, while the document serves as a necessary procedural notice from a regulatory standpoint, clearer communication and more accessible language could enhance public understanding and engagement with such processes.
Issues
• The document lacks an explicit explanation of the consequences of not granting the extension, which could provide additional context for the need of the request.
• The section addressing the suspension of the Commission's Public Reference Room due to COVID-19 is somewhat outdated and may not reflect current access options.
• The footnotes are dense and contain multiple citations (e.g., to regulations and previous decisions), which may not be easily understood by a general audience without legal expertise.
• The document relies heavily on referencing previous regulations and decisions, which might not be clear or accessible to those unfamiliar with these documents.
• The process of intervening or filing comments is described with complex legal references (e.g., 18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) that may not be straightforward for the public to navigate.