Mountaineer XPress EIS

Summary

Burns & McDonnell is supporting the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) as a third-party contractor to Columbia Gas Transmission LLC on the Mountaineer XPress Project. For this project, we attend open houses, conduct scoping meetings and review the applicant-prepared resource reports to support preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The projects consists of 171 miles of pipeline (164 miles of 36-inch and 6 miles of 24-inch), modifications to three existing compressor stations and one regulating station, three new compressor stations, and 13 modifications at a number of aboveground facility sites. The project spreads to 13 counties of West Virginia.

Services

• Community outreach support
• Scoping meetings
• Interagency meetings
• ERR review and validation
• Preparation of EIS

Background

As part of the FERC review process, Columbia is required to prepare thorough Environmental Resource Reports (ERRs) and background information to support preparation of an EIS. Burns & McDonnell reviewed and validated the ERRs as part of the development of a FERC EIS. This included close coordination with Office of Energy Projects (OEP) project manager and resource specialists to identify and resolve potential issues and concerns so alternatives and design issues can be incorporated early in the review process.

From the ERR review, Burns & McDonnell is preparing an EIS in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, other applicable laws and regulations, and FERC policies and procedures. As part of this effort, our staff works with the OEP staff, cooperating agencies and other interested stakeholders to prepare the NEPA document.

• Kickoff tasks: Initial schedule and work plan outline with OEP PM
• Scoping meetings: Identify potential meeting locations, support OEP PM with logistics, prepare materials, participate in meetings and prepare meeting/comment summaries, arrange with Columbia to participate in inspection of facility locations with OEP staff
• ERR review and validation: Quickly identify any data gaps in Columbia’s ERRs, followed by preparation of draft data request questions
• Prepare EIS: Prepare the draft EIS then the final EIS