Trailblazer Pipeline System Final Environmental Impact Statement

摘要

This Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), arises from applications for a certificate of public convenience and necessity authorizing, pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act, the construction and operation of facilities to transport natural gas from the Rocky Mountain area to markets in that area, the east, and midwest. Facilities would consist of approximately 797 miles of 36-inch and 12 miles of 24-inch diameter pipeline and 28,700 horsepower of compression. The FEIS assesses the environmental impact of the proposed project, a modification of the project design, several alternative routings, and the use of existing systems modified as necessary to transport similar volumes of gas. It also assesses the primary impact of nonjurisdictional gas conditioning facilities needed to provide some of the gas necessary for this project. Potential effects on land use, vegetation, soils, wildlife, water, air quality, noise levels, geology, cultural resources, and socioeconomic conditions were examined. Based on its examination, the staff concludes that this project would have limited adverse environmental impact. Subject to a determination of the specific facilities required to transport the actual gas supply, no long-term or irreparable impact would result from the approval of this project, providing the alternatives and conditions recommended by the environmental staff in section E of the FEIS are adopted. It was concluded that: (1) the Arapahoe Alternative is superior to the Trailblazer Segment; (2) the MAPC Alternative is superior to a portion of the Overthrust Segment; (3) a 42-inch diameter pipeline should be installed with no compression; or (4) compression should be added to the 36-inch diameter system only if necessary, as determined by the quantity of gas expected from this area. (ERA citation 05:037643)