FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION (FERC) DOCS/ATLANTIC SUNRISE EXPANSION OF THE TRANSCO: NOTICE OF INTENT, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS)

Pipeline construction, CYNOG Compressor, Sullivan County, PA
Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

LIST OF CITIZEN DEMANDS

For FERC EIS DOC, DOCKET PF14-8-000:  ELibrary File List

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a Notice of Intent that it will be preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Atlantic Sunrise Expansion of the TRANSCO natural gas pipeline. This pipeline will entail about 177 miles of new 30 to 42 inch, high-pressure natural gas transmission line and will bisect at least 8 counties in Pennsylvania. The environmental and socio-economic impacts associated with this project pose a grave threat to the integrity and security of our region. You can find the notice in full here: ELibrary File List.

As a citizen, you have a right to demand FERC develop a thorough and complete EIS. Unfortunately, FERC has a history of producing inadequate and substandard analyses of impacts. Now is the time to insist that FERC fully account for all the social-economic and environmental consequences of yet another massive natural gas transmission line. What we know from experience is that a full account will show that the only sensible course of action is to STOP THE PIPELINE.

CITIZEN DEMANDS 

Ø  FERC consistently refuses to address the full cumulative consequences of expanding interstate transmission pipelines. A recent circuit court decision has found this to be  inadequate and unlawful.

() DEMAND that FERC account for the increased upstream drilling activity, and ultimate climate instability, that will result from expanding natural gas transmission capacity!

http://www.cadc.uscourts.gov/internet/opinions.nsf/30B6F48600A85C1E85257CEF004E34F1/$file/13-1015-1496336.pdf

Ø  FERC is required to develop an “alternatives analysis” that considers other options besides the construction of the proposed pipeline. DEMAND an alternatives analysis that includes decentralized power generation (a model based upon private homeowner and community solar panels and wind turbines).

Ø  FERC has a history of ignoring the full impacts associated with fragmenting interior forest and creating new forest edge environments. DEMAND that FERC include 300 feet on each side of the pipeline as acreage impacted WHEREVER the pipeline crosses interior forest!

Ø  FERC has repeatedly allowed the pipeline companies to avoid paying for replanting of removed forest vegetation when “temporary workspaces” (often another 60 feet of right-of-way width) are cleared. DEMAND that FERC require a full restoration and replanting plan for EACH forest area “temporarily” denuded!

Ø  FERC often requires that agricultural soils be separated, stockpiled, and replaced during pipeline construction. However, they devalue and destroy forest soils, despite the inherent fragility of these resources. DEMAND that FERC require the pipeline company fully protect ALL soil systems.

Ø  FERC consistently fails to provide for adequate and comprehensive invasive species control. DEMAND that FERC require the same level of invasive suppression in both wetland and upland systems for the ENTIRE service life of the pipeline AND for newly created forest edge habitat adjacent to the maintained right-of-way!

Ø  FERC repeatedly allows open trenching of small and medium size streams during pipeline construction. Yet they require directional drilling under LARGE streams. This preferential treatment of watercourses is arbitrary and ultimately damaging to watershed health. The cumulative linear footage of water crossings involving smaller streams is potentially orders of magnitude greater than that associated with one or two larger water bodies. DEMAND that FERC require directional drilling during all stream crossings!

Ø  FERC allows pipeline companies to permanently maintain and mow a right-of-way width of 50 feet in upland systems. Yet they restrict the width to 10 foot in wetlands. There is no ecological rationale behind this arbitrary difference in right-of-way width. If a smaller right-of-way is possible for wetlands, it is possible for uplands. DEMAND that FERC respect the private property rights of upland land owners!

HOW TO FILE FERC COMMENT?

Citizen comments are due on or before August 18, 2014. We encourage you to submit your comments electronically using the “eComment” feature located on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the link “Documents and Filings.”

WHY TO FILE?

FERC has a long history of advancing virtually every project seeking approval. Hence, it is unrealistic to expect FERC to deny the Atlantic Sunrise Expansion solely based upon community concerns or the comments of private citizens. If, however, citizens DEMAND that FERC develop a thorough and comprehensive EIS that addresses the full spectrum of socio-economic and environmental impacts associated with this pipeline, it will become apparent to both FERC and Williams Partners that this project is cost-prohibitive. 

In other words, if FERC took seriously its responsibility to assess the actual impacts of the proposed Atlantic Sunrise expansion,  it would become clear that Williams' Partners' intent is to externalize the risks and the cost onto the taxpayers and communities who will bear the environmental, health, property value and divisive community impacts of this project--but enjoy few if any of the benefits.

The only sound conclusion to draw is not that the pipeline can be moved, relocated, made more efficient. but that the pipeline should not and must not be built.

Kevin Heatley, Restoration Ecologist

Wendy Lynne Lee, Professor of Philosophy

FERC's Public Scoping Meetings: 7-10PM; 

Williams Partner's Open House, 6-7PM

8.4.14: Millersville University, Student Memorial Center, 21 South George StreetMillersville, PA 17551. 8.5.14: Lebanon Valley College, Arnold Sports Center, 101 North College Ave.Anneville, PA 17003. 8.6.14: Bloomsburg University, Haas Center for the Arts, 400 East Second StreetBloomsburg, PA 17815. 8.7.14: Lake Lehmon High School, 1128 Old Route 115, Dallas, PA 18612

FERC TEXT: NOTICE  OF  INTENT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company, LLC

Docket No. PF14-8-000

NOTICE OF INTENT TO PREPARE AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE PLANNED ATLANTIC SUNRISE EXPANSION PROJECT REQUEST FOR COMMENTS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, AND NOTICE OF PUBLIC SCOPING MEETINGS

(July 18, 2014)

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that will address the environmental impacts of the Atlantic Sunrise Expansion Project (Project). This planned Project would involve construction and operation of facilities by Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Company, LLC (Transco), a subsidiary of Williams Partners L.P. (Williams), in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity.

This notice announces the opening of the scoping process that the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies on the Project. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EIS. Please note that the scoping period will close on August 18, 2014.

Williams staff will be available for an open house from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, prior to the public scoping meetings at the listed locations.

This notice is being sent to the Commission’s current environmental mailing list for this Project. State and local government representatives are asked to notify their constituents of this planned Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.

If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if the Commission approves the Project, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings where compensation would be determined in accordance with state law.

A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled “An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?” is available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet addresses a number of typically-asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission’s proceedings.

Summary of the Planned Project

Transco plans to construct and operate certain facilities in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina which would provide about 1,700,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation service from various receipt points in Pennsylvania to various delivery points along Transco’s existing interstate pipeline system.

The planned Project would consist of the following components:

␣ construction of approximately 177.3 miles of new 30- and 42-inch-diameter pipelines in Columbia, Lancaster, Lebanon, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, and Wyoming Counties, Pennsylvania;

␣ construction of approximately 12 miles of new 36- and 42-inch-diameter pipeline loops1 in Clinton and Lycoming Counties, Pennsylvania;

␣ replacement of 2.5 miles of 30-inch-diameter pipeline in Prince William County, Virginia;

␣ construction of two new compressor stations:

␣ Compressor Station 605 – installation of two electric-driven Solar Mars 100S 15,000-horsepower compressors in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania; and

␣ Compressor Station 610 – installation of one electric-driven Solar Titan 250S 30,000-horsepower compressor and one electric-driven Solar Titan 130S 20,500-horsepower compressor in Columbia County, Pennsylvania;

␣ installation of additional compression at three existing compressor stations: ␣ Compressor Station 520 – installation of one 16,000-horsepower

Solar Mars 100S gas turbine in Lycoming County, Pennsylvania;

␣ Compressor Station 517 – installation of one 16,000-horsepower Solar Mars 100S gas turbine in Columbia County, Pennsylvania; and

␣ Compressor Station 190 – installation of one 25,000-horsepower electric-driven compressor in Howard County, Maryland;

␣ modifications at six existing compressor stations in Virginia and North Carolina to allow bi-directional flow and/or installation of supplemental odorization, odor detection, and odor masking/deodorization equipment;

construction of two meter stations and three regulator stations:

␣ Zick Meter Station – a new receipt meter station and pig 2 launcher in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania;

␣ Oswego Meter Station – a new receipt meter station in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania;

␣ Regulator Station – a new regulator station at milepost (MP) L92.7 along the Transco Leidy Line system;

␣ Regulator Station – a new regulator station and pig launcher/receiver at MP L113.8 along the Transco Leidy Line system; and

␣ Regulator Station – a new regulator station and pig receiver at MP 1682.7 along the Transco Mainline system;

␣ installation of mainline valve assemblies at multiple locations along the planned pipeline segments; and

␣ installation of supplemental odorization, odor detection, and odor masking/deodorization equipment at various meter stations and valve sites in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The general location of the planned project facilities is shown in Appendix 1. 3 Land Requirements for Construction

Transco is still in the planning phase of the Project and workspace requirements have not been finalized. However, Transco is planning on using a 100-foot-wide construction right-of-way for the 42-inch-diameter pipeline segments and a 90-foot-wide construction right-of-way for the 30- and 36-inch-diameter pipeline segments. Following construction, Transco would retain a 50-foot-wide easement for operation of the pipelines. Transco would also require land for additional workspaces at road, railroad, waterbody, and wetland crossings; topsoil storage; access roads; storage or pipeyards; and other purposes during construction.

The EIS Process

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us4 to discover and address concerns the public may have about proposals. This process is referred to as scoping. The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EIS on important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of issues to address in the EIS. We will consider all filed comments during the preparation of the EIS.

In the EIS, we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the planned Project under these general headings:

␣ geology; ␣ soils; ␣ water resources and wetlands; ␣ vegetation and wildlife; ␣ fisheries and aquatic resources; ␣ threatened, endangered, and other special-status species; ␣ land use, recreation, special interest areas, and visual resources; ␣ socioeconomics; ␣ cultural resources; ␣ air quality; ␣ noise; ␣ reliability and safety; and ␣ cumulative environmental impacts.

We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned Project or portions of the Project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas.

Although no formal application has been filed, we have already initiated our NEPA review under the Commission’s Pre-filing Process. The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage early involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before the FERC receives an application. As part of our pre-filing review, we participated in public Open House meetings sponsored by Transco in the project area in May and June 2014 to explain the environmental review process to interested stakeholders. We have also begun to contact federal and state agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EIS.

The EIS will present our independent analysis of the issues. We will publish and distribute the draft EIS for public comment. After the comment period, we will consider all timely comments and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. To ensure we have the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please follow the instructions in the Public Participation section beginning on page 7.

With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues related to this Project to formally cooperate with us in the preparation of the EIS5. Agencies that would like to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this notice. Currently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has expressed its intention to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to this Project.

Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act

In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public on the Project’s potential effects on historic properties.6 We will define the project-specific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPOs as the project develops. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include the construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, compressor stations, and access roads). Our EIS for this Project will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

We have already identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities, comments filed with the FERC, comments made to us at Transco’s open houses, preliminary consultations with other agencies, and the environmental information provided by Transco. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis:

␣ ␣ ␣

impacts on forested areas including fragmentation; impacts on agricultural areas including impacts to soils; impacts on residential areas;

impacts ␣ impacts ␣ impacts ␣ impacts ␣ impacts ␣ impacts ␣ impacts

on property values; on recreational areas including parks and nature preserves; on the Appalachian Trail; on surface water including the Chesapeake Bay; on groundwater including wells and springs; on wildlife and vegetation; on federal and state-listed threatened, endangered, and sensitive on quarries or mining; ␣ geologic hazards including karst and seismic areas;

␣ impacts on air quality due to construction and operation; ␣ impacts related to noise during construction and operation; ␣ assessment of alternatives including the no action alternative and system

alternatives consisting of various combinations of looping Transco’s existing system and/or replacing existing pipeline with larger diameter pipeline and adding compression;

␣ assessment of alternative pipeline routes and compressor station locations; ␣ visual and other impacts from forest clearing; ␣ eminent domain; and ␣ cumulative impacts.

Public Participation

You can make a difference by providing us with your specific comments or concerns about the Project. Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before August 18, 2014.

For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the project docket number (PF14-8-000) with your submission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.

Environmental Mailing List

The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined by the Commission’s regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the Project. We will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the planned Project.

Copies of the completed draft EIS will be sent to the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of a CD version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached Information Request (appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

Once Transco files its application with the Commission, you may want to become an “intervenor” which is an official party to the Commission’s proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are in the User’s Guide under the “e-filing” link on the Commission’s website. Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor status at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a formal application for the project.

Additional Information

Additional information about the Project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on “General Search” and enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., PF14- 8). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.

In addition, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.

Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

Finally, Transco has established a toll-free phone number (1-844-785-0455) and an email support address (AtlanticSunrise@Williams.com) so that parties can contact it directly with questions about the Project.

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary.

For a version of the list of demands including photographs, please see: 

THE WRENCH: The Atlantic Sunrise Pipeline EIS: Demand FERC Do it Right!

FOR A PRINTABLE FLIER VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT, PLEASE EMAIL WENDY LYNNE LEE AT: wlee@bloomu.edu

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Docs/Atlantic Sunrise Expansion of the TRANSCO: Pre-filing, PF 14-8

ELibrary File List

*This ELibrary File List contains all of the FERC filings for the WPX ATlantic Sunrise Project. The March 31 Pre-Filing is the first of these.

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC

2800 Post Oak Boulevard (77056) P.O. Box 1396 Houston, Texas 77251-1396 713-215-2000

March 31, 2014

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20426

Attention: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary

Reference: Request for Pre-Filing Review Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC

Atlantic Sunrise Project Docket No. PF14-

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Company, LLC (“Transco”) respectfully requests that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“Commission”) Staff initiate a pre-filing review of Transco’s proposed Atlantic Sunrise Project (sometimes referred to herein as the “Project”). The Project is an expansion of Transco’s existing natural gas transmission system that will enable Transco to provide incremental firm transportation capacity for growing supplies of natural gas from northern Pennsylvania to markets along the Transco pipeline system stretching from Transco’s Zone 6 in the northeastern U.S. to Zone 5 and terminating in Zone 4. The proposed Project is targeted to be placed in service by July 1, 2017.

As a result of significant interest expressed by shippers, the Project will be designed to provide 1,700,000 dekatherms per day (“dt/day”) of incremental firm transportation capacity along two project paths:

850,000 dt/day of firm transportation capacity from various points along Transco’s Leidy Line in north central Pennsylvania to Station 85 in Choctaw County, Alabama; and

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

850,000 dt/day of firm transportation capacity from a proposed interconnection in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (the “Zick Interconnection”) to as far south as 

Transco’s existing point of interconnection between Transco’s mainline and Dominion Transmission’s Pipeline located in Fairfax County, Virginia.

In accordance with Section 157.21(d) of the Commission’s regulations, Transco submits the following:

1. A description of the schedule desired for the project including the expected application filing date and the desired date for Commission approval.

Transco requests approval to commence the pre-filing process by April 14, 2014. During the pre-filing process, Transco will conduct field surveys for cultural resources, wetlands, and endangered species to identify and address relevant issues, and will meet with regulatory agencies and seek landowner input. Transco will coordinate with Commission Staff in order to develop complete Resource Reports and expects to use a third-party contractor to prepare a draft environmental document.

Transco expects to submit a complete draft of Resource Report 1, a list of alternatives, and a list of affected landowners in May 2014. Transco anticipates filing its NGA Section 7(c) certificate application in March 2015. The application will request that the Commission approve the Project by May 2016 with a target in-service date of July 1, 2017.

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

To summarize, the proposed Project timeline is as follows:

Transco is seeking to use the Commission-approved pre-filing process in order to develop its certificate application and obtain timely processing of the certificate application. In that regard, Transco will provide to Commission Staff the information set forth in Section 157.21(f) of the Commission’s regulations. Transco anticipates resolving issues raised during the scoping process and submitting a complete application.

2. For LNG terminal facilities, a description of the zoning and availability of the proposed site and marine facility location.

There are no LNG terminal facilities related to or proposed as part of the Project.

April 2014

Pre-filing process begins

May - June 2014

Open Houses

March 2015

Submit 7(c) Application

May 2016

Requested Date for FERC Order

June 2016

Anticipated Construction Start

July 1, 2017

Target In-Service

3. For natural gas facilities other than LNG terminal facilities and related jurisdictional natural gas facilities, an explanation of why the prospective applicant is requesting to use the pre-filing process under this section.

The Commission Staff’s early review of the environmental document and its involvement in Transco’s public participation plan will allow Transco, interested stakeholders, and the Commission Staff to discuss and address routing, siting, and other environmental issues before developing and filing the certificate application for the Project. In particular, Transco believes that the pre-filing process will be beneficial in the following ways:

Facilitating issue identification, study needs, and issue resolution;  Conducting site visits, examining alternatives, meeting with agencies and stakeholders, and participating in the public information meetings (open houses);  

PhotoWendy Lynne Lee

Issuing a scoping notice and conducting scoping for the Project; and Assisting in the review and comment on the Resource Reports comprising Transco’s draft Environmental Reports prior to filing, to ensure that the Commission’s filing requirements are satisfied and that all of the information needed to complete the environmental document is included.

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.

Transco conducted an initial Open Season for the Project that commenced in August 2013. As a result of the Open Season, Transco executed binding precedent agreements with nine shippers for 1,700,000dt/day. Eight shippers committed to 850,000 dt/day of firm transportation capacity from various points along Transco’s Leidy Line to Station 85. Due to the significant interest expressed by these shippers, Transco has designed, in addition to certain incremental mainline facilities, a greenfield pipeline, referred to as the “Central Penn Line,” in order to provide the firm transportation service under the Project.

One shipper committed to 850,000 dt/day of firm transportation capacity from a new interconnection in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (“the Zick Interconnection”) to the proposed terminus of the Central Penn Line at Transco’s mainline in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (“the River Road Interconnection”) and to the existing point of interconnection between Transco’s mainline and Dominion Transmission’s Pipeline located in Fairfax County, Virginia (the “Pleasant Valley Interconnection”). This additional commitment will require Transco to extend the Central Penn Line northward from the Leidy Line to the Zick Interconnection.

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

In February 2014, Transco announced a binding, supplemental open season for up to 150,000 dt/day of firm transportation capacity under the Project. This additional capacity would begin at the Zick Interconnection and extend through the Central Penn Line tovarious delivery points along Transco’s mainline from the River Road Interconnection in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to as far south as the Pleasant Valley Interconnection in Fairfax County, Virginia. No shippers expressed interest in the supplemental open season.

The Project facilities currently under review include the following (all mileages are approximate):

A 56.4-mile, 30-inch greenfield pipeline from the proposed Zick Interconnect in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania to MP L113.75 on Transco’s Leidy Line in Columbia County, Pennsylvania (“Central Penn Line North”);

A 122.2-mile, 42-inch greenfield pipeline from MP L113.75 on Transco’s Leidy Line in Columbia County, Pennsylvania to Transco’s mainline in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (“Central Penn Line South”);

 5.5 miles of 36-inch diameter pipeline and 9.0 miles of 42-inch diameter pipeline in two loops on Transco’s Leidy Line in Clinton and Lycoming counties Pennsylvania;

Replacement of 2.5 miles of 30-inch diameter pipeline (1.2 miles on Mainline “A” and 1.3 miles on Mainline “B”) in Prince William County, Virginia;

A 30,000 horsepower greenfield compressor station on the Central Penn Line North, in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania (“Compressor Station 605”); 

A 40,000 horsepower greenfield compressor station on the Central Penn Line South, in Columbia County, Pennsylvania (“Compressor Station 610”); 

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

The addition of 57,000 (ISO) horsepower at three of Transco’s existing

compressor stations: 

16,000 (ISO) horsepower at Compressor Station 520 in

Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; 

16,000 (ISO) horsepower at Compressor Station 517 in

Columbia County, Pennsylvania; and o 25,000 (ISO) horsepower at Compressor Station 190 in

Howard County, Maryland. 

Replacement and re-wheeling of various compressors at these facilities, andrelated compressor station modifications; 

Miscellaneous modifications at various compressor stations along the Projectpaths to enable compression for bi-directional flow; 

Supplemental odorization, odor detection, and odor masking / deodorization equipment at various compressor stations, meter stations, and valve sites inNorth Carolina and South Carolina; 

New receipt points and interconnections in Pennsylvania;  New regulator stations at various locations along the Project paths; and Appurtenant underground and aboveground facilities.

The general location of the proposed facilities is illustrated on the attached map.

5. A list of the relevant federal and state agencies in the project area with permitting requirements. For LNG terminal facilities, the list shall identify the agency designated by the governor of the state in which the project will be located to consult with the Commission regarding state and local safety considerations. 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);

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

(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 respectivepermits or other authorizations.

Transco has contacted federal and state agencies regarding the Project to introduce the Commission’s pre-filing process and asked the agencies to participate in the process. Please refer to the attached Initial Regulatory Contacts table, which identifies the agencies that have been contacted regarding the pre-filing process and the results of those consultations. Transco has incorporated into its overall project schedule the agency- specific schedules for issuance of required federal and state authorizations. Transco expects to file applications for all necessary federal permits concurrent with the filing of the Section 7(c) certificate application.

6. A list and description of the interest of other persons and organizations who have been contacted about the project (including contact names and telephone numbers).

Transco has begun meeting with various stakeholders, including landowners and local, state, and federal authorities, to identify and address their concerns. In January 2014, Transco began contacting interested stakeholders, including state legislative, county, and municipal government officials. In the coming months, Transco will contact all U.S. congressional representatives whose districts will be affected by the project. A list of stakeholders who have been contacted about the project is attached.

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. This description shall also include the identification of the environmental and engineering firms and sub-contractors under contract to develop the project.

Transco initiated development of the Project in 2013. Hydraulic modeling simulations were completed to identify the Project facilities, and existing mapping resources and aerial photography depicting current land use were used for preliminary pipeline routing. In March2014, after notifying landowners, Transco’s engineering personnel began conducting ground surveys to identify various constraints, including residentialneighborhoods, businesses, other pipelines, high tension power lines, and significant environmental features, to further refine the Project route.

Civil surveys, biological surveys, and cultural resource surveys are expected to commence in May/June 2014 as soon as weather conditions allow. The drawings identifying the route and construction workspace are scheduled for completion prior to filing the Section 7(c) certificate application.

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

Transco will select a preferred route for the Project that takes into consideration impacts on the community and the environment. In order to reduce potential impacts, approximately 36 percent of the initial Project corridor has been co-located within or adjacent to Transco’s existing pipeline right-of-way or other existing utility rights-of- way.

Transco has already contacted numerous federal and state agencies to initiate consultation regarding potential impacts to resources. As noted on the attached Initial Regulatory Contacts table, Transco is attempting to schedule meetings with all of these federal and state agencies.

Transco has contracted with various consulting engineering and environmental firms to complete the surveys, studies, and drawings needed to support the filing of the permits and clearances required for the Project. These include:

Pipeline Engineering – Mustang Engineering, L.P. Wetland Surveys and Resource Report Preparation – TRC Environmental Corp. Cultural Resource Surveys – URS Corporation.

Transco is in the process of selecting contractors for compressor station, meter station, and valve site engineering.

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 NEPA document.

There are no LNG terminal facilities related to or proposed as part of the Project.

9. For natural gas facilities other than LNG terminal facilities and related jurisdictional 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 this section.

Transco prepared a Request for Proposal (“RFP”) for a third party contractor to prepare environmental documents. The draft RFP was reviewed by FERC Staff and issued tofour prospective contractors. Transco is submitting to Staff under separate cover copies of three proposals and its comments on the proposals.

PhotoWendy Lynne Lee

10. Acknowledgement that a complete Environmental Report and complete application are required at the time of filing.

Transco acknowledges that a complete Environmental Report and a complete application under Section 7(c) of the NGA will be required at the time of filing. Transco anticipates submitting the report and application to the Commission by March 2015.

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.

Transco’s commitment to stakeholder communications and effective public outreach on the Project is set forth in the Atlantic Sunrise Project – Stakeholder Outreach Plan, a copy of which is attached. Transco will respond to requests for information from participating federal and state agencies in a timely manner. Transco plans to host ten open houses in May and June 2014 at locations near the proposed facilities.

For stakeholder communications, Transco has established a toll-free information telephone line at (866) 455-9103 as well as an e-mail address at AtlanticSunrise@Williams.com. Transco’s land agents will serve as points of contacts with landowners; they will also assist, as necessary, in public outreach efforts with local constituents affected by the Project.

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

In addition, Transco has established a public website for the Project at http://www.williams.com/atlanticsunrise. Items on the website include:

Project overview 
Project location maps 
Route selection process 
Answers to frequently-asked questions 
Regulatory overview, with links to the Commission website Construction procedures 
Pipeline safety 
 News 
Contact information

This website will be maintained throughout the Project.

In order to further inform interested parties, Transco will periodically distribute Project Update newsletters to interested stakeholders.

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.

There are no LNG terminal facilities related to or proposed as part of the Project.

Accordingly, Transco hereby requests that the Commission Staff initiate a pre-filing review of the Atlantic Sunrise Project.

Respectfully submitted, TRANSCONTINENTAL GAS PIPE LINE COMPANY, LLC

PhotoWendy Lynne Lee

By: William H. Hammons Regulatory Analyst, Lead Rates and Regulatory 713-215-2130 713-215-3483 (fax)

Enclosures

cc: Lauren O’Donnell, Director, Division of Gas – Environment and Engineering Jennifer Kerrigan, Geologist, Division of Gas – Environment and Engineering

WARREN MCKEAN

TIOGA

BRADFORD SUSQUEHANNA 12 SULLIVAN

FOREST VENANGO ELK

Atlantic Sunrise

External Communications Plan

March 31, 2014

Public Outreach Overview

Public outreach is the first step on the critical path for project management and execution and requires collaboration with every discipline needed to plan, design, build, operate and maintain pipeline facilities.

Both the company and FERC believe that early involvement from stakeholders can help develop better overall project solutions. Stakeholders include any formal or informal group, organization, agency, elected official, community leader, and landowner or identified individual who has a direct interest and/or involvement in the regulatory process and outcome of the project. An effective public outreach program can help neutralize opposition before, during and after the construction of a pipeline project.

To that end, the FERC pre‐filing process and our project management strategies are directed toward engaging stakeholders early in the pipeline expansion project process. The company’s guiding principal is that stakeholders should hear about our projects from the company first and they should hear from us often.

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

 Public outreach strategy includes: 
 Early contact 
 Frequent communication 
 Listening and learning

 Being flexible when possible

Public outreach is much more than mere notification. It is an opportunity to educate and provide information regarding the project and to develop active support wherever possible. A strong and credible outreach program requires building integrity and trust with members of the public who live and work in the project area as well as maintaining an effective coordinated communication effort between all disciplines needed to successfully execute the project.

This strategic plan is organized using the major regulatory milestones of a Natural Gas 7c Certificate Application process including prior to pre‐filing, during pre‐filing, the 7c certificate application process, the issuance of the draft EIS, the final EIS, construction and post construction.

Operating objective

Our primary objective is to build credibility and trust by positioning as:

 A developer of critical infrastructure necessary to connect Marcellus supply with market demand along Transco’s entire system and customers along the eastern seaboard.

 A communicative company that is responsive to public concerns.  Committed to working with landowners, as well as local, state and federal agencies, to designand construct the project in a manner that minimizes environmental and landowner impacts. 
Additionally, we must:

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

 Effectively articulate the importance of the project to the region, and communicate the vital role the new pipeline system will play by transporting much needed natural gas supply to markets along the Transco pipeline system.

 Conduct market analysis on the need for infrastructure to help alleviate spot price spikes and provide reliability of natural gas to customers along the eastern seaboard.

 Communicate how the local economies will benefit from economic activity associated with all phases of the project especially construction; and will likely bring a modest 
increase in the number of permanent jobs in the project area.

 Work with communities and stakeholders to educate them about our company, the proposed project and the regulatory process.

 Educate communities where existing facilities are located to help them understand that co‐ locations minimize impact to landowners and communities.

 Attempt to achieve win‐win solutions to issues and concerns.

Before the FERC Pre‐filing Process

 As with any greenfield pipeline project, the project is best served by having outreach activities begin prior to any other activity in the project area. Local and county officials, business and community leaders and emergency responders need to receive a ‘heads up’ about the initial activities that will be undertaken before we formally initiate our regulatory process including land and survey activities that will impact local landowners and other constituents.

Target audiences

A complete listing of impacted communities and key stakeholders are available on the Atlantic Sunrise Project Stakeholder List.

Local Public Officials, Town/Township Administrators, Emergency Responders, Law Enforcement, Planning Commissions, etc.

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

Lancaster County, PA

Drumore Township Martic Township Conestoga Township Manor Township West Hempfield Township

East Donegal Township Mount Joy Township

Lebanon County, PA

South Londonderry Township South Annville Township North Annville Township Annville Township

East Hanover Township Union Township

Schuylkill County, PA

Pine Grove Township Tremont Township Frailey Township Hegins Township Eldred Township Barry Township Butler Township

East Cameron Township Mount Carmel Township Cleveland Township

Northumberland County, PA

East Cameron Township Coal Township Ralpho Township

Columbia County, PA

Cleveland Township Franklin Township Montour Township Hemlock Township

Mount Pleasant Township Orange Township Greenwood Township Jackson Township Sugarloaf Township

Luzerne County, PA

Fairmount Township Ross Township Lake Township Lehman Township Dallas Township

Wyoming County, PA

Monroe Township Northmoreland Township Eaton Township Falls Township Overfield Township Clinton Township Nicholson Township Tunkhannock Township Overfield Township

Susquehanna County, PA

Lenox Township

Clinton County, PA

Gallagher Township

Lycoming County, PA

Jordan Township Franklin Township

Penn Township Mifflin Township

Prince William County, PA

Gainesville Township Brentsville Township

Howard County, MD

West Friendship District

Orange County, VA

District 3

Appomattox County, VA

Falling River District

Rockingham County, NC

New Bethel Township

Davidson County, NC

Reedy Creek Township

Iredell County, NC

Davidson Township

Cleveland County, NC

Cleveland Township

Spartanburg County, NC

Fairmont Mills

Madison County, GA

Danielsville

State & Federal Officials

Pennsylvania

U.S. Senators U.S. Representatives State Senators State Representatives

Virginia

U.S. Senators U.S. Representatives State Senators State Representatives

Media

Susquehanna County, PA

Susquehanna County Independent Montrose, PA www.independentweekender.com (570) 278‐NEWS

Susquehanna County Transcript Susquehanna, PA www.susquehannatranscript.com (570) 853‐3134

Scranton (PA) Times Scranton, PA www.scrantontimes.com (570) 348‐9135

Wyoming County, PA

Wyoming County Press Examiner Tunkhannock, PA http://wcexaminer.com/ 570‐836‐2123

Page 6 of 11

Luzerne County, PA

Times Leader Wilkes‐Barre, PA http://timesleader.com 570‐970‐7311

Citizen's Voice Wilkes‐Barre, PA http://citizensvoice.com 570‐821‐2072

Standard Speaker Hazleton, PA http://standardspeaker.com 570‐455‐3636

Clinton County, PA

Lockhaven Express Lockhaven, PA www.lockhaven.com 570‐748‐6791

Columbia County, PA

Press Enterprise Bloomsburg, PA www.pressenterpriseonline.com 570‐387‐1234

Northumberland County, PA

The Daily Item Sunbury, PA www.dailyitem.com 570‐286‐5671

Schuylkill County, PA

Republican Herald Pottsville, PA

Page 7 of 11

http://republicanherald.com 570‐622‐3456

Lebanon County, PA

Lebanon Daily News Lebanon, PA http://www.ldnews.com 717‐272‐5611

Lancaster County, PA

The Southern Lancaster Chronicle Quarryville, PA www.heraldandchronicle.com 410‐658‐5740

Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era Lancaster, PA http://lancasteronline.com 717‐291‐8622

Prince William County, VA

Prince William Times Leesburg, VA www.northernvatimes.com 703‐777‐1111

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

Federal / State Officials

Purpose and need for the project— the need to connect Marcellus supply with market demand along Transco’s entire system and customers along the eastern seaboard.

Need for infrastructure to help alleviate spot gas prices and provide reliability of natural gas to customers along the eastern seaboard.

Seek early input from citizens and local governmental entities to identify and address local issues.

Educate elected officials about the FERC process and public input opportunities.

Communications Timeline

January 2014

Began to identify stakeholder
Develop stakeholder list

February 2014

Begin requesting survey permission from landowners

February 2014

Notify PA state officials

Jan ‐ April 2014

Begin notifying local stakeholders about project and upcoming field activities

 Township administrators, county commissioners, emergency responders, etc.

 Request FERC pre‐filing

April 2014

Website available

April 2014

Notifications to stakeholders and landowners of FERC pre‐filing process
Landowner newsletter

May & June 2014
Newspaper ads and invitations to open houses

Open houses (10)

May 2015
FERC filing

Notification of 7c filing to stakeholders and landowners

Landowner newsletter

June 2016

Proposed start of construction

July 2017

Proposed in‐service

Photo Wendy Lynne Lee

Personalize the company. In order to carry out community outreach activities in the pre‐siting stage, Williams needs to work with potentially impacted communities and local officials to communicate with them on a personal level.

Build relationships. Develop a list of key stakeholder contacts. An essential key to managing the flow of information to relevant parties is to first define which individuals, groups or opinion leaders are important in the siting process. Conduct early meetings with key stakeholders so that they are not confronted with “surprises.” Listen to the stakeholders’ thoughts, questions or concerns and proactively work with them to reach win‐win solutions.

Educate stakeholders. Educate stakeholders about the “big picture.” It’s critical that stakeholders understand (1) the FERC process and (2) how our expansion can help them maintain – or enhance – their quality of life. Also, identify direct economic benefits that will accrue to the local community as a result of the project.

Maintain openness. Williams should go out of its way to demonstrate it has nothing to hide. By making stakeholders aware of new developments and providing them with timely information, they will begin to perceive Williams as an important information source. The absence of information from the company opens the door to speculation and misinformation.

Build third‐party endorsement. Third‐party support is vital to building credibility. Earning endorsements from third parties lends credibility to the pipeline company and its key messages. In addition, the effectiveness of project key messages is greatly increased when delivered by a third‐ party. This support gives a pipeline project the support it needs to survive the battle of public opinion.

Training the Project Team

Everyone who “touches the right of way” or speaks on behalf of the company and/or project will be properly trained how to conduct public meetings, deal with difficult people, target messages to specific audiences and other training as necessary. Project team members will be expected to adhere to INGAA’s Commitment to Landowners.

If stakeholder concerns are not identified and addressed early in the project, then those concerns will likely lead to public and political opposition.

Photo WEndy Lynne Lee

Expectations must be managed properly. Pre‐mature communication will frustrate stakeholders who expect more solidified answers to siting questions.

Credibility will be permanently damaged if commitments are made, but not followed through. Communication vehicles

The most effective way to communicate and build relationships is face‐to‐face meetings. Additionally, we should rely on other proven communication vehicles including:

Website www.williams.com/atlanticsunrise Social Media Toll‐free hotline (866‐455‐9103) (844‐785‐0455) E‐mail address: AtlanticSunrise@Williams.com