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LNG - Environmental Impact Statements
(EISs)
FERC staff issues Final Environmental Impact Statement
on Dominion Cove Point Expansion Project (Docket Nos. CP05-310-000
et al.)
Issued: April 28, 2006
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has prepared
a final environmental impact statement (EIS) on the natural gas
facilities proposed by Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP and Dominion
Transmission, Inc. (collectively referred to as Dominion) in the
above-referenced dockets. Dominion proposes to expand the existing
Cove Point liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal in Calvert
County, Maryland; construct 48 miles of new natural gas pipeline
in Maryland; and construct 113 miles of natural gas pipeline and
associated facilities in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia,
and New York. The purpose of the Cove Point Expansion Project
is to deliver new gas supplies to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern
states. The proposed facilities in Maryland would bring additional
winter supplies to the Mid-Atlantic region; and the proposed facilities
in Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and New York would allow
additional supplies to be stored in the summer and moved to the
Northeast for use during periods of peak need in the winter.
The final EIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the
National Environmental Policy Act. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(Corps) and the U.S. Coast Guard have participated as cooperating
agencies in the preparation of the EIS.
Staff concludes that if the proposed projects are found to be
in the public interest and is constructed and operated in accordance
with Dominion's proposed mitigation and our recommended mitigation
measures, the proposed facilities would have limited adverse impacts.
The primary reasons for our decision are:
- The LNG terminal facilities would be an expansion of an
existing, fully operating LNG import terminal with an established
deep water dock and established exclusion zones.
- The additional LNG ship traffic would result from the expansion
would utilize an existing shipping corridor used by existing
LNG vessels as well as other deep draft vessels.
- The proposed pipeline facilities would follow existing rights-of-way
for about 90 percent of the proposed pipeline routes.
- Dominion has routed the pipeline facilities to avoid placement
of the construction work area near residences to the maximum
extent practicable.
- Dominion would implement the FERC's Plan and Procedures
to minimize impacts on soils, wetlands, and waterbodies.
- Sensitive waterbodies, such as St. Leonard Creek, Patuxent
River, Hunting Creek, and Mattawoman Creek in Maryland; and
the Juniata River and Bald Eagle Creek in Pennsylvania, would
be crossed using directional drill methodology.
- Noise impacts resulting from aboveground facilities can
be adequately mitigated with our recommended measures.
- Appropriate consultations with the FWS, the Corps, state
historic preservation officers, the Maryland Department of
Environment (for coastal zone management plan and consistency
plan determination) would be required before Dominion would
be allowed to begin construction.
- Safety features would be incorporated into the design and
operation of the LNG terminal expansion facilities and LNG
vessels.
- If the Coast Guard issues a LOR finding the waterway to
be suitable for increased LNG marine traffic, the operational
controls that would be imposed by the local pilots and the
Coast Guard to direct movement of LNG ships, and security
provisions would deter attacks by a potential terrorists.
- The environmental and engineering inspection and mitigation
monitoring program for this project would ensure compliance
with all mitigation measures that become conditions of any
FERC authorization.
- All federal, state and local authorizations would be required
prior to project construction (see table 1.3.5.1 of the final
EIS).
FERC Commissioners will take into consideration staff's recommendations
and the final EIS when they make a decision on the projects.
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