Millennium Pipeline Pre-Filing for Eastern System Upgrade Project
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Millennium Pipeline Company is requesting approval for the pre-filing review of its Eastern System Upgrade project, which involves adding new compressor units and a pipeline to enhance natural gas transport capacity. The project aims to increase the transport volume by 200,000 dekatherms per day, addressing customer demands and ensuring reliable deliveries. Millennium plans to submit a certificate application in July 2016 and seeks to have the project operational by September 1, 2018, while engaging stakeholders throughout the pre-filing process.
Millennium Pipeline Pre-Filing for Eastern System Upgrade Project
- 1. www.millenniumpipeline.com One Blue Hill Plaza, 7th Floor Post Office Box 1565 Pearl River, NY 10965 845.620.1300 Voice | 845.620.1320 Fax January 19, 2016 Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20426 Re: Request for Pre-Filing Review Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C. Eastern System Upgrade Dear Ms. Bose: Pursuant to Section 157.21(b) of the regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“Commission”),1 Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (“Millennium”) hereby requests approval from the Director of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects to commence the pre-filing review process with respect to Millennium’s proposed Eastern System Upgrade (“Project”). Representatives of Millennium met with Commission Staff to discuss the Project and Millennium’s use of the pre-filing review process. Upon completion of the pre-filing review, Millennium will file an application with the Commission for authorization to construct the Project under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”).2 The Project consists of the addition of a new compressor unit at Millennium’s existing Hancock Compressor Station; the construction of a new compressor station in Sullivan County, New York; the installation of approximately 7.3-miles of pipeline between Millennium’s existing Huguenot and Westtown meter stations; and the addition of facilities at Millennium’s existing Ramapo meter station. The Project will permit Millennium to transport an incremental volume of approximately 200,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/day) of natural gas from Millennium’s Corning Compressor Station to an existing interconnect with Algonquin Gas Transmission, L.L.C. located in Ramapo, New York. All of the new capacity is subscribed under executed precedent agreements for long-term, firm contracts. The Project facilities have been designed to maintain current operating pressures at intermediate delivery points following the construction of the Project, to address increased customer demand on Millennium’s system during the summer months, and to ensure continued deliveries to interconnecting pipelines following pressure increases on those systems. 1 18 C.F.R. § 157.21(b) (2014). 2 15 U.S.C. § 717f(c) (2012).
- 2. www.millenniumpipeline.com 2 Pursuant to Section 157.21(d) of the Commission’s regulations,3 Millennium provides the following detailed Project information in support of its request: 1. A description of the schedule desired for the project including the expected application filing date and the desired date for Commission approval. To satisfy its commitments to its shippers under the precedent agreements that support the construction of the Project, Millennium is proposing an in-service date of September 1, 2018 for the Project. To complete the proposed Project and place the facilities into service by this date, Millennium anticipates filing a certificate application for the Project under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act in July 2016 and requests that the Commission issue an order approving the Project by July 31, 2017. Millennium requests that the Commission set a schedule for review of the Project consistent with the following milestones: Schedule Milestone January 19, 2016 Pre-filing request submitted February 5, 2016 File initial drafts of Resource Report 1 and alternatives April 27, 2016 File Drafts of Resource Reports 1 through 12 July 29, 2016 Submit Section 7(c) Application July 31, 2017 Requested date for FERC Final Order September 1, 2017 Commence Project construction September 1, 2018 Place Project facilities into service 2. For LNG terminal facilities, a description of the zoning and availability of the proposed site and marine facility location. No LNG terminal facilities are related to or proposed as part of the Project. 3. An explanation of why the prospective applicant is requesting to use the Pre- Filing process. Millennium is seeking to participate in the Commission’s pre-filing review process to facilitate the early identification of affected parties and environmental issues and the timely resolution of concerns in consultation with Commission Staff and Project stakeholders. Comments received from the Commission Staff on Millennium’s draft Resource Reports will minimize the number of technical and environmental data requests necessary once Millennium’s certificate application is filed. The pre-filing review process will also establish a coordinated schedule for a complete and thorough 3 18 C.F.R. § 157.21(d).
- 3. www.millenniumpipeline.com 3 environmental review, which will enable Millennium to achieve its planned in-service date of September 1, 2018 for the Project facilities. 4. A detailed description of the project, including location maps and plot plans to scale showing all major plant components that will serve as the initial discussion point for stakeholder review. The Project will involve the addition of an approximately 22,400 horsepower compressor unit at Millennium’s existing Hancock Compressor Station, the construction of a new approximately 22,400 horsepower compressor station located about equidistant between Millennium’s existing Hancock and Minisink compressor stations, installation of approximately 7.3 miles of 36-inch pipeline parallel to Millennium’s existing 24 inch line between its Huguenot and Westtown meter stations and the addition of facilities at Millennium’s existing Ramapo meter station. The general location of proposed facilities is illustrated on the map provided as Attachment 1. As part of the pre-filing review process, Millennium is committed to continuing to work with stakeholders to address their concerns regarding the Project facilities. As Millennium continues these ongoing efforts to refine and finalize the exact locations of the various Project facilities, updates to the map will be submitted to Commission Staff. The Project will be designed to transport approximately 200,000 Dth/day of natural gas from Millennium’s existing Corning Compressor Station to its existing Ramapo meter station and the various points in between. As part of an open season conducted between March 11 to March 31, 2015 Millennium executed binding precedent agreements with a number of shippers for 199,500 Dth/day of the Project capacity. 5. A list of the relevant federal and state agencies in the project area with permitting requirements. The filing shall include a statement indicating: (i) That those agencies are aware of the prospective applicant's intention to use the pre-filing process (including contact names and telephone numbers); (ii) Whether the agencies have agreed to participate in the process; (iii) How the applicant has accounted for agency schedules for issuance of federal authorizations; and (iv) When the applicant proposes to file with these agencies for their respective permits or other authorizations. Millennium has contacted federal and state agencies regarding the Project to provide information about the Commission’s pre-filing review procedures, to discuss the agencies’ respective permitting requirements, and to solicit the participation of federal and state agencies in the pre-filing review process. The table included as Attachment 2 identifies and provides contact information for the relevant federal and
- 4. www.millenniumpipeline.com 4 state agencies with potential permitting requirements for the Project. The table also summarizes the results of Millennium’s consultations with the affected agencies. Millennium has incorporated the agency-specific schedules for issuance of required authorizations into its overall Project schedule and expects to receive these authorizations prior to the commencement of construction. Millennium plans to file applications for applicable federal and federally-delegated permits contemporaneously with the filing of the NGA Section 7(c) certificate application. 6. A list and description of the interest of other persons or organizations that have been contacted about the project (including contact names and telephone numbers). Millennium has begun meeting with various stakeholders, including local, state, and federal officials, to identify and address potential concerns with the Project. A list identifying the stakeholders that have been contacted about the Project is provided as Attachment 3. Millennium will continue its public outreach efforts throughout the pre-filing period, keeping stakeholders and other interested parties informed of the Project. 7. A description of what work has already been done, e.g., contacting stakeholders, agency consultations, project engineering, route planning, environmental and engineering contractor engagement, environmental surveys/studies, and open houses. The description shall also include the identification of the environmental and engineering firms and subcontractors under contract to develop the project. A. Stakeholder Contact. Information regarding Millennium’s stakeholder contact efforts is included in Attachment 3. B. Agency Consultations. Attachment 2 includes information regarding Millennium’s consultations with federal and state agencies about the Project. C. Project Engineering. Millennium has contracted EN Engineering (“ENE”) to provide engineering services for the project. ENE has completed site surveys, 10% designs, equipment layouts, 10% grading and site plot plans, centerline survey of the existing 24” line, and 10% alignment sheets for the 7.3 mile pipeline. D. Environmental and Engineering Contractor Engagement. Millennium has retained TRC Environmental Corporation as its environmental contractor and ENE as its engineering contractor. E. Environmental Surveys/Studies. A desktop review of available information has been conducted for the proposed locations for the Project facilities. Resources reviewed included federally and state-listed threatened and endangered species, wetlands and waterbodies, existing land use and topography, and soils. There are
- 5. www.millenniumpipeline.com 5 a total of 47 parcels crossed by the pipeline loop, and 95% (45) of the affected landowners have granted survey access permission. Millennium has completed wetland and cultural resource surveys on over 90% of the survey corridor around the pipeline loop because it was able to complete such surveys on all parcels where survey access permission has been granted, and within Millennium’s existing easement on no access parcels. Wetland and cultural resource surveys have also been completed at all three aboveground facility sites. Pending completion of initial consultation with federal and state agencies regarding rare species, additional surveys may be conducted in spring / summer 2016. The data from these surveys will be included within the final resource reports currently scheduled to be filed in July 2016. F. Site Control. As stated above, Millennium has received survey permission from 95% of landowners for the pipeline loop portion of the Project and either owns or has obtained survey access for all of the above ground facility locations. If route variations are required based on survey findings, Millennium will request survey permission from any additional affected landowners (if applicable). Once a final route for the pipeline loop is determined for the NGA Section 7(c) filing, Millennium will begin the process of obtaining, on a consensual basis, the land rights needed to construct, own and operate the Project. Millennium has acquired the land needed for the new compressor station to be located in Sullivan County. Millennium is currently negotiating for additional land that may be needed at the Hancock Compressor Station, and the permanent facilities to be added to the Ramapo Meter Station, as currently designed, can be located within the property lines of the current station. 8. For LNG terminal projects, proposals for at least three prospective third-party contractors from which Commission staff may make a selection to assist in the preparation of the requisite National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”) document. No LNG terminal facilities are related to or proposed as part of the Project. 9. For non-LNG natural gas facilities, proposals for at least three prospective third-party contractors from which Commission staff may make a selection to assist in the preparation of the requisite NEPA document, or a proposal for the submission of an applicant-prepared draft Environmental Assessment as determined during the initial consultation described in paragraph (c) of Section 157.21. To provide administrative assistance to the Commission Staff during the pre-filing review and certificate proceeding, Millennium will provide a third-party environmental contractor to assist Commission Staff in completing the review process. Millennium conducted an RFP soliciting proposals for a third-party
- 6. www.millenniumpipeline.com 6 contractor. Contemporaneously with this filing, Millennium is providing Commission Staff with the top three proposals received in response to the RFP. 10. Acknowledgement that a complete Environmental Report and complete application are required at the time of filing. Millennium acknowledges that a complete Environmental Report and a complete NGA Section 7(c) certificate application are required at the time of filing. Millennium plans on submitting the final Environmental Report and the application in July 2016. 11. A description of a Public Participation Plan which identifies specific tools and actions to facilitate stakeholder communications and public information, including a project website and a single point of contact. This plan shall also describe how the applicant intends to respond to requests for information from federal and state permitting agencies, including, if applicable, the governor's designated agency for consultation regarding state and local safety considerations with respect to LNG facilities. Millennium has developed a comprehensive Public Participation Plan, provided as Attachment 4, setting forth Millennium’s efforts to facilitate stakeholder communication and to provide effective public outreach for the Project. Millennium has established a toll-free number, (877) 745-5615, to facilitate stakeholder communications regarding the Project. Michelle Hook and/or Michael Armiak will serve as the primary contact for the public regarding the project. Hook can be reached by phone at 845-570-0862 or email at hook@millenniumpipeline.com. Armiak can be reached by phone at 845-645-1176 or email at armiak@millenniumpipeline.com. Information about the Project will also be available on Millennium’s public website, at www.millenniumpipeline.com, throughout the pre-filing review process and certificate proceeding. 12. Certification that a Letter of Intent and a Preliminary WSA have been submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard or, for modifications to an existing or approved LNG terminal, that the U.S. Coast Guard did not require such information. No LNG terminal facilities are related to or proposed as part of the Project.
- 7. www.millenniumpipeline.com 7 Accordingly, Millennium hereby requests that the Director of the Office of Energy Projects approve Millennium’s request to use the pre-filing review process for the Project. Respectfully submitted, MILLENNIUM PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C. By: /s/ Gary A. Kruse Gary A. Kruse Vice President - General Counsel & Secretary Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (845) 620-1300 (845) 620-1320 (fax) Attachments cc: Ann F. Miles Mike McGehee John Wood Terry Turpin Rich McGuire
- 8. Attachment 1 - Map
- 9. 14 Gabriel Drive Augusta, ME 04330 Created: 1/14/2016 V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd ")Delaware County Town of Hancock Hancock Compressor Station Proposed Modifications FISHSEDDY HORTON FISHS EDDY LONG EDDY HORTON CALLICOON LONGEDDY CALLICOON !. ") !. !.XW") XW K0 0.50.25 Miles ") Existing Compressor Station Proposed Compressor Station Modifications Existing Millennium Pipeline US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC Page 1 of 6 1:24,000
- 10. 14 Gabriel Drive Augusta, ME 04330 Created: 1/14/2016 V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd Sullivan County Town of Tusten Town of Highland Highland Compressor Station HIGHLANDLAKE ELDRED !. ") !. !.XW") XW K0 0.50.25 Miles Potential Access Road Proposed Compressor Station Existing Millennium Pipeline US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC Page 2 of 6 1:24,000
- 11. 14 Gabriel Drive Augusta, ME 04330 Created: 1/14/2016 V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !.XW Orange County Town of Mount Hope Town of Deerpark Town of Greenville Huguenot Meter Station Wagoner Interconnect Pipeyard 1 2.5 1.5 0.5 3 2 1 OTISVILLE PORTJERVISNORTH !. ") !. !.XW") XW K0 0.50.25 Miles XW Existing Interconnect !. Existing Meter Station !! Milepost (0.1 mile) Proposed Loop Potential Access Road Potential Pipeyard Existing Millennium Pipeline US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC Page 3 of 6 1:24,000
- 12. 14 Gabriel Drive Augusta, ME 04330 Created: 1/14/2016 V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! Orange County Town of Greenville 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 3 5 4 2 OTISVILLE UNIONVILLE !. ") !. !.XW") XW K0 0.50.25 Miles !! Milepost (0.1 mile) Proposed Loop Potential Access Road Existing Millennium Pipeline US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC Page 4 of 6 1:24,000
- 13. 14 Gabriel Drive Augusta, ME 04330 Created: 1/14/2016 V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !! !. ") Orange County Town of Minisink Town of Greenville Town of Wawayanda Westtown Meter Station Minisink Compressor Station Pipeyard 2 4.5 5.5 7 6 5 4 6.5 OTISVILLE UNIONVILLE !. ") !. !.XW") XW K0 0.50.25 Miles ") Existing Compressor Station !. Existing Meter Station !! Milepost (0.1 mile) Proposed Loop Potential Access Road Potential Pipeyard Existing Millennium Pipeline US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC Page 5 of 6 1:24,000
- 14. 14 Gabriel Drive Augusta, ME 04330 Created: 1/14/2016 V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd !. XW Rockland County Town of Ramapo Ramapo Meter Station Modifications Ramapo Interconnect THIELLS SLOATSBURG !. ") !. !.XW") XW K0 0.50.25 Miles XW Existing Interconnect !. Existing Meter Station Existing Algonquin Gas Existing Millennium Pipeline US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC Page 6 of 6 1:24,000
- 15. Attachment 2 - Agency Contact, Permits
- 16. Pre-File Agency Correspondence Tracking Sheet - Federal Agencies Agency Region/ Division Contact Name Contact Address Contact Phone Contact Email Date Sent Response Type/Date Participating Agency (Y/N) Responding Contact Meeting Schedule Additional Comments U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Ms. Lingard Knutson, Sr. Transportation and Energy Environmental Analyst U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2 290 Broadway, 25th Floor New York, NY 10007 - 1866 (212) 637-3747 knutson.lingard@epa.gov 01-08-2016 via email NOAA Fisheries Northeast Region Office Ms. Karen Greene 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA 01930 karen.greene@noaa.gov 01-06-2016 via email U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 5 Mr. Tim Sullivan USFWS - New York Field Office 3817 Luker Road Cortland, NY 13045 (607) 753-9334 tim_r_sullivan@fws.gov 01-08-2016 via email U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New York District (Western Permits Section) Mr. Brian Orzel, Project Manager US Army Corps of Engineers ATTN: Regulatory Branch, Room 1937 26 Federal Plaza New York, NY 10278-0090 (917) 790 - 8411 brian.a.orzel@usace.army. mil 01-08-2016 via email U.S. National Park Service Northeast Region Mr. Mike Caldwell, Regional Director National Park Service U.S. Custom House 200 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215) 597 - 7013 mike_caldwell@nps.gov 01-08-2016 via email Delaware River Basin Commission Water Resources Management Branch David Kovach, Supervisor, Project Review Section 25 State Police Drive West Trenton, NJ 08628-0360 (609) 883-9500 david.kovach@drbc.nj.gov 01-08-2016 via email 01-14-2016 via email Y
- 17. Pre-File Agency Correspondence Tracking Sheet - New York State Agencies Agency Region/ Division Contact Name Contact Address Contact Phone Contact Email Date Sent Response Date/Type Participating Agency (Y/N) Responding Contact Meeting Schedule Additional Comments New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Mr. Matthew Brower, Agricultural Resource Specialist 10B Airline Drive Albany, NY 12235 (518) 457-2851 Office (518) 527-7685 Cell matthew.brower@agmkt.st ate.ny.us 01-08-2016 via email New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) New York Natural Heritage Program Mr. Nicholas Conrad, Information Resources Coordinator NYSDEC-DFWMR NY Natural Heritage Program 625 Broadway, 5th Floor Albany, NY 12233-4757 (518) 402-8944 nick.conrad@dec.ny.gov 01-08-2016 via email NYSDEC Division of Environmental Permits Ms. Karen Gaidasz, Environmental Analyst II 625 Broadway Albany, NY 12233-1750 (518) 402-9167 Karen.gaidasz@dec.ny.gov 01-08-2016 via email New York State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation State Historic Preservation Office Mr. Paul Archambault Peebles Island State Park P.O. Box 189 Waterford, NY 12188-0189 (518) 237-8643 kathy.howe@parks.ny.gov 01-08-2016 via email c/o Kathy Howe New York State Public Service Commission Office of Electric, Gas, and Water Rajendra Addepalli, Director Empire State Plaza Agency Building 3 Albany, NY 12223-1350 (518) 473 - 8986 rajendra.addepalli@dps.ny. gov 01-08-2016 via email
- 18. Pre-File Agency Correspondence Tracking Sheet - Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Agency Region/ Division Contact Name Contact Address Contact Phone Contact Email Date Sent Response Date/Type Participating Agency (Y/N) Responding Contact Meeting Schedule Additional Comments Delaware Tribe of Indians Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) Ms. Susan Bachor, Preservation Representative PO Box 64 Pocono Lake, PA 18347 (610) 761-7452 temple@delawaretribe.org 01-08-2016 via email Delaware Nation Cultural Preservation Office Mr. Jason Ross, Section 106 Manager PO Box 825 Anadarko, OK 7300531064 State Highway #281 Building 100 Anadarko, OK 73005 (405) 247 - 8903 jross@delawarenation.com 01-08-2016 via email St. Regis Mohawk Tribe (formerly St. Regis Band of Mohawk Indians of New York) THPO Ms. Ann Bero 412 State Route 37 Akwesasne, NY 13655 abero@srmt-nsn.gov 01-08-2016 via email Stockbridge- Munsee Band of Mohican Indians Stockbridge- Munsee Tribal Council Ms. Bonney Hartley, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Historic Preservation New York Office P.O. Box 718 Troy, NY 12181 (518) 326 – 8870 Bonney.hartley@mohican- nsn.gov 01-08-2016 via email
- 19. Attachment 3 - List of Stakeholders Contacted
- 20. Government Officials Attachment 3 List of Stakeholders Contacted Stakeholder Contact Comment New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (518) 402-8545 Tuesday, November 17, 2015 New York Department of Public Service (518) 474-2523 Tuesday, November 17, 2015 Office of State Senator John Bonacic (845) 344-3311 Monday, January 11, 2016 Office of State Senator David Carlucci (518) 455-2991 Monday, January 11, 2016 Office of State Senator Fred Akshar (518) 455-2677 Monday, January 11, 2016 Office of Assemblyman Clifford Crouch (518) 455-5741 Monday, January 11, 2016 Office of Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (518) 455-5355 Monday, January 11, 2016 Office of Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (845) 544-7551 Monday, January 11, 2016 Office of Orange County Executive (845) 291-4000 Wednesday, January 6, 2016 Wawayanda Town Supervisor John Razzano (845) 355-5702 Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (845) 875-4585 (202) 224-4451 Thursday, January 14, 2016 Office of US Congressman Maloney (845) 561-1259 (202) 225-5441 Tuesday, December 15, 2015 (district office) Thursday January 14, 2016 (D.C. office) Office of U.S. Congresswoman Lowey (845) 639-3485 Tuesday, December 15, 2015 Town of Deerpark Supervisor Gary Spears (845) 856-2210 ext. 1 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Town of Minisink Supervisor Ralph Ford (845) 590-3833 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Town of Greenville Supervisor George Hossann (845) 856‐5064 Tuesday, January 12, 2016 Town of Highland Supervisor Jeff Haas (845) 557-8901 Friday, January 8, 2016 Town of Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe (607) 637-3651 Thursday, January 7, 2016 Delaware County Chairman of the Board James Eisel (607) 832-5110 Thursday, January 7, 2016
- 21. Attachment 4 - Public Participation Plan
- 22. Public Participation Plan Millennium Pipeline Company Eastern System Upgrade January 2016 I. PROJECT OVERVIEW Millennium Pipeline Company (Millennium) is proposing a project called the Eastern System Upgrade to increase capacity on its system by approximately 200,000 Dth/day. The project will have four main components: 7.3 miles of new, 36” pipeline laid parallel to the current 24” pipeline from Deer Park to Westtown in Orange County. Increasing horsepower at the Hancock compressor station in Delaware County by adding a new compressor unit that will add 22,400 horsepower to the system. Adding a new compressor station in Highland, located in Sullivan County, approximately 25 miles east of the Hancock facility, which will add 22,400 horsepower to the system. Upgrade and modify the existing Ramapo Meter Station in Rockland County. The customers that would be served by this upgrade are all Northeast utilities that are seeking to diversify the supply source for the gas their customers use. The additional capacity will benefit consumers by keeping gas supply prices low. To ensure that the public is aware of the project and has opportunities for input, Millennium has developed the following Public Participation Plan that summarizes scheduled outreach to key stakeholders in the area of the project as well as the general public. Millennium is committed to enacting a plan that encompasses early public notification and regular communications with all stakeholders. II. KEY STAKEHOLDERS Affected landowners Federal, state, and local governmental officials Regulatory and permitting agencies Community and environmental groups News media One Blue Hill Plaza, 7th Floor Post Office Box 1565 Pearl River, NY 10965 845.620.1300 Voice | 845.620.1320 Fax
- 23. III. COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES AND TOOLS Millennium’s outreach efforts are designed to inform, engage, and build relationships with all the stakeholders in the regulatory review process, from project inception and announcement through completion. Millennium will engage with stakeholders and the public early in the project review process to inform them about the purpose and need of the project as well as the proposed route and facilities, its key features, opportunities for public input, the regulatory process as well as the construction process to be employed. Additionally the outreach efforts are intended to help identify and address stakeholder concerns about the project. The project will be located in the eastern portion of Millennium’s current footprint, with upgrades to our existing facilities in Delaware, Orange and Rockland Counties, and a new facility in Sullivan County. Millennium will build on the outreach efforts the company currently maintains in those areas and actively focus on engaging stakeholders and the community at-large, using a variety of communication methods. Millennium plans a broad distribution of informational materials, utilizing direct mail, media outreach, the company’s website, a toll-free information line, local newspaper ads, and other local resources. To carry out this plan, Millennium will do the following: Conduct face to face meetings with landowners, elected officials and key stakeholders; Direct mail pieces; Issue press releases and conduct other media activities that ensure the news media has information and can report on the project; Create collateral materials such as fact sheets, maps and other printed materials that will be made available to the public in a variety of places; Create a dedicated section on the Millennium web site (http://www.millenniumpipeline.com/index.html) that contains important public information and provides information on how the public can contact the company to provide feedback; Create several repositories of informational material Provide a toll-free phone number for the public to call: (877) 745-5615 Provide an email address the public can use to submit comments and questions; Conduct regular governmental briefings; and Host an open house meeting to give interested parties access to information and the opportunity to discuss the project with Millennium officials. IV. DIRECT MAIL Within fourteen days after the issuance of the notice approving the use of the pre-filing process, Millennium will initiate a direct mailing to all stakeholders, including agencies, elected officials and potentially affected landowners. The mailer will provide specifics on the location of the facilities to the extent known at that time, and an overview of the project, including a proposed timeline.
- 24. V. INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSE Millennium will hold a public open house to introduce the project to host communities. The format will be structured around information stations, complete with displays and photographs. Community members and other interested stakeholders will be able to speak with, and ask questions of, company representatives and Millennium’s contractors to learn about the various aspects of the project such as potential environmental impacts, construction processes, project equipment, and other pertinent facts. The meeting will be held in an accessible public location, most likely in Sullivan County. Fact sheets, maps and other collateral materials will be available for people to take home. Millennium will publicize the open house by: Issuing a press release to local media Placing advertisements in local newspapers; and Sending direct mail to stakeholders. VI. INFORMATION REPOSITORIES In an effort to make information about the project available to the public, Millennium will place public documents in several to-be-determined public buildings in locations near Millennium project areas. These information repositories will be in readily accessible public venues and house public information and regulatory filings on the project. VII. TOLL-FREE INFORMATION LINES Millennium will continue to maintain its current toll-free phone line at (877) 213-1944 which will allow stakeholders and residents to contact the company and request information, share concerns and express opinions about the project. VIII. WEB PRESENCE Millennium will update the company’s website (www.millenniumpipeline.com) and use it to communicate with the public as well. As the project moves through the various stages of development, Millennium plans to add the following details on the project to the site: A proposed route map; A location map for the above-ground facilities; Expected timeline with key dates; Facts and bullets on the benefits of the project; Contact information for Millennium; and Links to the websites of resources such as regulatory agencies, and other important sites.
- 25. IX. MEDIA RELATIONS Millennium will also announce the project to the media via a press release targeted to media outlets that cover events in the host communities where the upgrades will be taking place. In addition, as the project moves forward, Millennium is committed to keeping the public informed about the project and from time to time, the company may issue press releases or statements related to: New project developments; Community activities; and Open house or other public input opportunities. X. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS To assist state and local officials in understanding the project objectives and to provide them with the support they need to respond to constituent inquiries, Millennium will be: Conducting introductory briefings; Providing regular updates; and Inviting officials to attend sponsored events such as the Informational Open House. XI. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT Michelle Hook and/or Michael Armiak will serve as the primary contact for the public regarding the project. Hook can be reached by phone at 845-570-0862 or email at hook@millenniumpipeline.com. Armiak can be reached by phone at 845-645-1176 or email at armiak@millenniumpipeline.com. XII. INFORMATION REQUESTS FROM FEDERAL & STATE PERMITTING AGENCIES Millennium will respond in a timely manner to information requests from federal and state permitting agencies through its environmental consultants or other designated representatives.