Environmental compliance

FERC is the lead regulatory agency that oversees the U.S. interstate natural gas pipeline industry. FERC is responsible for regulating both the construction of natural gas pipeline facilities, including compressor stations, and the transportation of natural gas in interstate commerce. For more information regarding FERC, please visit FERC's website.

Companies must file an application with the FERC seeking approval to build or abandon interstate natural gas pipeline facilities, storage facilities, and/or compressor stations. This process is designed to evaluate whether a company’s proposed facilities are in the public interest, including benefits to consumers, compatibility with the environment and minimization of interference with the public.

We are subject to the requirements of the National Energy Policy Act (NEPA). NEPA is a U.S. environmental law that supports the enhancement and protection of the environment. This law requires that Federal agencies, such as FERC, give proper consideration to the environment prior to undertaking any major federal action that significantly affects the environment. For more information regarding NEPA, please visit the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

Before any major project can move forward, FERC initiates a comprehensive environmental review in compliance with NEPA. Depending on the project’s scale, this includes an Environmental Assessment (EA) or a more detailed Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). To assist FERC in complying with NEPA, we will generate Recourse Reports detailing survey data taken from all areas of the proposed project site. A number of environmental aspects are evaluated in an EA or EIS, including, but not limited to:

• Groundwater and surface water
• Endangered species and habitats
• Air quality
• Historical and archaeological sites
• Soils, geology and land use

Assessing the environmental impact of a proposed pipeline project, including any potential alternatives for the project, is an integral part of the application process for a pipeline company and FERC.

The timeline for FERC approval can vary from a few months to two years, depending on the scope of a project and the type of application filed. It is a detailed process involving several agencies conducting environmental surveys, creating reports and providing data on the impact of a project. The process includes multiple stages and opportunities for public involvement:

Key notices and comment periods

• Notice of Certificate Application: Notifies landowners and other environmental agencies informing them of a proposed project. This notice will include a formal comment period allowing landowners and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input on the project described in the Certificate Application.
• Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EA or EIS: After the “Notice of Application” comment period ends, FERC will issue a “Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) [or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)]” to landowners and other environmental agencies. This notice will describe the project, the environmental review process, how to participate, and will include a formal comment period allowing landowners and stakeholders the opportunity to provide input on the project.
• Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review: Communicates the expected release date of the EA or EIS.
• Environmental Assessment or Impact Statement: Published by FERC to summarize environmental findings. These may include a public comment period. The main difference between an EA and an EIS is the level of detail one provides compared to the other; the EIS would only be used in instances of large-scaled projects with greater environmental impact. The EA is most typically used.
• FERC Order: If no unresolved objections are raised after the comment period, FERC will issue an Order granting a pipeline company a Certificate allowing the company to proceed with construction or abandonment activities on their proposed project.

We are committed to transparency and open communication throughout the permitting and construction process. Our outreach goals include:

• Informing stakeholders about the purpose and value of each project
• Providing the public and landowners clear and timely information
• Providing multiple channels for engagement, including hotlines, direct mail, web updates and media

We make a good-faith effort to notify all potentially affected landowners, communities, and agencies, as required by FERC guidelines.

We correspond with and comply with the regulations of a number of government agencies with environmental jurisdiction over our projects. Below are a few of the agencies we typically receive environmental permits or clearances from:

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• State Historic Preservation Office
• Commission on Environmental Quality