An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land

8/8/2019 An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land

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An Interstate

Natural Gas Facilityon My Land?

What Do INeed to Know?

Prepared by theFederal EnergyRegulatory Commission
http://www.ferc.gov/


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Cover Photos: (left to right):

Pipe stringing,Lowering the pipe into the trench,Pipeline in the trench,Restored right-of-way


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An Interstate Natural GasFacility on My Land?

What do I

Need to know?

Te Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is charged by Congress

with evaluating whether interstate natural gas pipeline projects

proposed by private companies should be approved. Te Federal

government does not propose, construct, operate, or own such

projects. Te Commissions determination whether to approve such

a project may afect you i your land is where a natural gas pipeline,

other acilities, or underground storage elds might be located. We

want you to know:

n How the Commissions procedures work;n What rights you have;

n How the location o a pipeline or other acilities is decided; and

n What saety and environmental issues might be involved.


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Background

The Commission approves the location, construction and operation

o interstate pipelines, acilities and storage felds involved in movingnatural gas across state boundaries. Te Commission also approves the

abandonment o these acilities.

Interstate pipelines crisscross the United States, moving nearly a quarter o the

nations energy long distances to markets in the 48 contiguous states, and are

vital to the economy. Although pipelines generally are buried underground,

they may have associated acilities that are above-ground such as taps, valves,

metering stations, pig launchers, pig receivers, or compressor stations. A naturalgas storage feld includes subsurace gas storage rights and there may be storage

feld pipelines and gas wells associated with the storage rights. A Pipeline

Glossary is provided at the end o this brochure to help you understand some

o the technical terms that are associated with pipeline construction and above-

ground acilities.

I a proposed pipeline route is on, or abuts your land, you will probably

frst learn o this rom the company concerned as it plans and studies theroute during either the Commissions voluntary Pre-fling Process or in the

application development process. Once a company fles an application

requesting the Commission to issue a certifcate authorizing the construction

o a pipeline project, the company will mail you a copy o this brochure and

other inormation within three days o the Commission issuing a Notice o

Application. Te Commissions sta will prepare an environmental study o

the proposal; either an Environmental Impact Statement or an Environmental

Assessment, depending on the scope o the project. For major construction

projects, local media may be notifed and public meetings may be held. You

will have an opportunity to express your views and to have them considered.

You will also have the opportunity to learn the views o other interested parties.

Te Commission may approve the project, with or without modifcations, or

reject it. I it is approved and you ail to reach an easement agreement with the

company, access to and compensation or use o your land will be set by a court.

Understandably, the location o pipelines and other acilities may be o concern to

landowners. Te Commissions process or assessing pipeline applications is open

and public, and designed to keep all parties inormed.

Tis brochure generally explains the Commissions certifcate process and

addresses some o the basic concerns o landowners. Te Commissions Oce o


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External Aairs at 1-866-208-3372 will be happy to answer any urther

questions about the procedures involved.

How the Process Begins

Q: How will I rst hear about proposed facility construction?

A:I you are located in the vicinity o the project you may frst learn o itthrough newspaper notices. I you are an owner o property which may be

aected by the project, you will probably frst hear o it rom the pipeline

company as it prepares environmental studies required or the Commission

application. It is also possible that the company may seek to obtain an easemen

t

rom you prior to fling the application. In the case o a compressor station or

other above-ground acility, the pipeline company will oten seek to purchase,

or obtain an option to purchase, the property it wishes to use or the station or

acility. Tis usually occurs prior to the fling o the application.

For a storage feld, rights on certain parcels o land may only involve subsurace

storage rights. Te company will also notiy you o the fling o the application

with the Commission.

Q: How can I obtain more details aboutthe companys application?

A:A copy o the companys application can be obtained rom the companyi you are an intervener (see next two questions and answers), although the

company is not obligated to provide voluminous material or material that isdicult to reproduce. You may also obtain a copy or a nominal copying charge

rom the Commissions Public Reerence Room. Call 202-502-8371 or details.

Te application may also be obtained through the Commissions Web site,

www.ferc.gov, using the eLibrary link and the projects docket number. User

assistance is available at 1-866-208-3676. Within three days o assignment o a

docket number, the application will also be available in at least one location in

each county in which the acility is located.Note that in some cases you will not be able to view or print copies o large-

scale maps or similar inormation about the location o the project rom the

Commissions Web site. However, the Web site will provide instructions or

obtaining the material.


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Q: How do I make my views known?

A:You may contact the company through the contact person listed in the

notifcation letter you receive rom the company.Tere are two ways to make your views known to the Commission: frst, i you

want the Commission to consider your views on the various environmental

issues involved in the location o the acility, you can do so by simply writing

a letter. When submitting a letter to the Secretary o the Commission, you

should identiy the projects docket number in order or the comment to be

successully entered into the record on the eLibrary system.

Te Commission undertakes several levels o environmental analysis. TeCommission aords you the opportunity to comment at various stages in

this process. Details are available rom the Commissions Oce o External

Aairs at 1-866-208-3372. Check the Commissions Web site or details on fling

electronically. By fling comments, your views will be considered and addressed

in the environmental documents or a fnal order. Additionally, you will be

placed on a mailing list to receive environmental documents in the case. You

can also use eRegistration and eSubscription (see www.ferc.gov) to keep track

o individual proceedings at FERC. Users with an eRegistration account may

subscribe to specifc dockets and receive email notifcation when a document is

added to eLibrary or the subscribed docket.

Q: What is an intervener?

A: You may fle to become what is known as an intervener. You may obtaininstructions on how to do this rom the Oce o External Aairs or on our

Web site athttp://www.erc.gov/help/how-to/intervene.asp . Becoming an

intervener is not complicated and gives you ocial rights. As an intervener, you

will receive the applicants flings and other Commission documents related

to the case and materials fled by other interested parties. You will also be able

to fle bries, appear at hearings and be heard by the courts i you choose to

appeal the Commissions fnal ruling. However, along with these rights come

responsibilities. As an intervener, you will be obligated to mail copies of what

you le with the Commission to all the other parties at the time of ling. Inmajor cases, there may be hundreds of parties. You may fle to become an

intervener by sending a request to intervene by mail or overnight services to:

SecretaryFederal Energy Regulatory Commission888 First Street, N.E.Washington, DC 20426
http://www.ferc.gov/http://www.ferc.gov/http://www.ferc.gov/help/how-to/intervene.asphttp://www.ferc.gov/help/how-to/intervene.asphttp://www.ferc.gov/http://www.ferc.gov/help/how-to/intervene.asp


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You should include 14 copies of your request. Your request should include

the docket number for the proceeding for which you are requesting

to intervene. Alternatively, you may use eFiling to submit your request

electronically through the Commissions Web site. If you use eFiling you donot need to send paper copies.

You must normally le for intervener status within 21 days of our notice of

the application in the Federal Register, although the Commission may accep

t

late intervention if good reasons are given. Visit the Federal Register at

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html. You may also le for intervener status

for the purposes of environmental issues during the comment period for a draft

environmental impact statement.

Please note: PF dockets are assigned to projects that are in the pre-ling or

planning stage. Tere is no provision for becoming an intervener in PF dockets.

However, once the pre-ling stage has been completed and an application has

been led, you may le for intervener status.

C

ustomerA

ssistanceFor urther assistance and public inquiries, please contact:

Oce o External Afairs

1-202-502-8004

1-866-208-3372 (Toll-ree)

[email protected]

For assistance with erc.gov or eFiling, please contact:

FERC Online Technical Support

1-202-502-6652

1-866-208-3676 (Toll-ree)

[email protected]

For materials and copying assistance, please contact:

Public Reerence Room

1-202-502-8371

1-866-208-3676 (Toll-ree)[email protected]

Your projects docket number
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.htmlmailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html


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Key Issues Involving Locationof the Project

Q: How is the pipeline route, compressor station or storage eldlocation selected?

A: Te pipeline company proposes the route or location, which is thenexamined by the Commission. Te applicant must study alternative routes or

locations to avoid or minimize damage to the environment. Te Commission,

interveners, or any commenter may also suggest alternatives and modifcations

to reduce the eects on buildings, ences, crops, water supplies, soil, vegetation,

wildlie, air quality, noise, saety, landowner interests and more. Te Commission

stas Alternatives analysis will consider whether the pipeline can be placed

near or within an existing pipeline, power line, highway or railroad right-o-way.

Storage felds are usually located in depleted oil or natural gas production felds

or in salt deposits. Tereore, their location is fxed by geologic conditions.

However, the acilities needed to develop and use a storage feld can be moved

to some extent.

Q: How do pipelines obtain a right-of-way?

A: Te pipeline company negotiates a right-o-way easement and compensationor the easement with each landowner. Landowners may be paid or loss

o certain uses o the land during and ater construction, loss o any other

resources, and any damage to property. I the Commission approves the project

and no agreement with the landowner is reached, the pipeline may acquire

the easement under eminent domain (a right given to the pipeline companyby statute to take private land or Commission-authorized use) with a court

determining compensation.

Q: Who pays taxes on the right-of-way?

A: Te landowner pays taxes on the right-o-way unless a local taxing authoritygrants relie. Te pipeline simply has an easement across a portion o the land.

Q: How large is the right-of-way and how is it maintained?

A: It is generally 75 to 100 eet wide during construction, although extra space isusually required at road or stream crossings or because o soil conditions.


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Te permanent right-o-way is usually about 50 eet wide. Routine mowing

or cutting o vegetation is done no more than once every three years. A ten-

oot-wide corridor, centered on the pipeline, may be mowed or cut annually. In

cropland and residential areas the right-o-way is maintained by the landownerconsistent with the presence o a pipeline.

Q: How large is a compressor station or storage eld?

A: Usually the pipeline purchases tento orty acres or a compressor station,

o which about fve acres are actually

used or construction. A storage feldcould encompass many hundreds or

even thousands o acres, depending

on the geologic structure. Storage

felds also requently include a buer

zone or protection area orming

a halo o some hundreds o acres

surrounding the storage feld itsel.

Compressor Station

Q: Must the company obey local, county and state laws andzoning ordinances?

A: Generally, yes. I there is a conict, however, between these ordinances andwhat the Commission requires; the Commission requirement prevails.

Q: How close can I build to the facilities?

A: For a pipeline, usually up to the edge o the right-o-way.

For a compressor station, the site is usually owned by the company. I you own

property adjacent to the site, you may build on it.

For storage felds, unless there are surace acilities or pipelines, you may build

anywhere on the surace. I you or someone else wishes to drill wells which

would penetrate the storage ormation, you must coordinate that activity with

the company, and usually the state authority regulating well drilling.


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Q: What about bushes, trees, fences, driveways and so forth?

A: rees with roots that may damage the pipeline or its coating and other

obstructions that prevent observation rom aircrat during maintenance areusually not allowed. Driveways and other improvements without oundations

are normally allowed. All improvements are subject to the terms o the

easement and are subject to negotiation as long as the pipeline maintenance

and saety are not aected.

Q. How long will the right-of-way be there?

A. Part o it is temporary and will be restored immediately ater construction.Te permanent right-o-way will remain until the Commission determines it maybe abandoned by the pipeline company. Tis can be 20 to 50 years or more.

Q. In general, will I still be able to use the right-of-way?

A. Te easement agreement will speciy restricted uses on or across the right-o-way and any types o uses or which the companys permission must be

sought. Te continuation o past agricultural uses and practices on or acrossthe right-o-way would be permitted. Buildings and large trees are usually not

allowed. Special uses or activities that might have an impact on pipeline design

(such as planned logging roads or drain tiles) should be negotiated with the

pipeline company to minimize uture conicts.

Q: To what depth would the pipeline be buried underground?

A. Te depth o cover would vary rom 2 eet deep (in excavated rock) tousually 3 eet deep in soils. In special cases, the trench could be up to 5 eet deepin agriculture felds where deep tilling or other issues warrant a deeper trench.

Q: What if I have problems with erosion or other issues duringrestoration and/or maintenance of the right-of-way?

A. Te landowner should frst contact the pipeline company to address

and resolve the issue. I the landowner is not satisfed that the problemhas been adequately addressed, he or she can contact the Commissions

Dispute Resolution Service Helpline at (877) 337-2237 or send an email

[email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Pipeline Installation Sequence

After a company has received authorization from FERC as well as all

necessary permits, and has an easement on a property, constructionwould proceed as follows:

1) Te civil survey (and any uncompleted environmental surveys) would be

completed and the construction right-o-way would be marked/staked

or the clearing crew.

2) Te clearing crew would remove any trees or brush within the right-o-

way that would interere with construction.

3) emporary erosion control devices would be installed as required.

4) Next, the right-o-way would be graded.

5) opsoil would be separated rom subsoil in agricultural/residential areas

(or in other areas requested during the easement negotiations).

6) Heavy equipment, such as backhoes or trenching machines, would then

dig the trench. In areas where bedrock is near the surace, blasting may

be required.

7) Te pipe would be delivered to the right-o-way in segments (called

joints).

8) Te pipe would be bent to ft the trench and welded together. All welds

would be tested prior to placing the pipe in the trench.

9) Te trench would be back flled and i topsoil was removed it would be

returned.

10)Construction debris would be removed.

11) Te right-o-way would be regraded; seeded; and temporary and

permanent erosion control devices would be installed.

12)Ater the right-o-way has revegetated the temporary erosion control

devices would be removed.

13)Prior to gas owing, the pipeline would be pressure tested (normally

with water) to ensure it does not leak.

A graphical representation o the pipeline installation sequence has

been prepared on the ollowing two pages.


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Pipeline Construction

Moving a ssembly l ine

( g r a p h i c n ot to sc a l e )

Clearingand grading

Ditching (rock-free) Ditching (rock) Padding ditch bottom

Stringing

Bending

continued below

WeldingX-ray and weld repair Coat ing welds Inspec tion and

repair of coating Lowering in Backll Pressure testingfor leaks

Cleanup Restoring residential area

Reseeding the right-of-way Restored right-of-way

1110


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Abandonment

Q: If the pipeline is being abandoned will it be removedfrom my property?

A: Te Commission may decide there are environmental or other conditionsthat should determine the disposition o the pipeline. I not, the easement

agreement which you or previous owners o the land signed may stipulate

whether the pipeline is to be removed. You may also come to some agreement

with the company on what they will do with the pipeline. Usually, above-ground

acilities are removed.

Q: If a company abandons a pipeline, can it keep an easementon my property?

A: It depends on the terms o the easement and may be subject to negotiationbetween the landowner and the pipeline company. I there is more than one

pipeline, the pipeline company will keep the easement.

Q: Will I be notied if abandonment is proposed?

A: You will probably be notifed by the company i it proposes to relinquishthe easement as part o the abandonment and the easement is not being

transerred to another company. Otherwise, you may be notifed by the

Commission as part o the environmental analysis o the project.

Stor age Fields

Q: What will happen to my property if a storage eldis located beneath it?

A: Possibly nothing, since the storage feld itsel is usually thousands o eetbeneath the ground surace. Wells are needed to inject and withdraw the stored

natural gas or to monitor feld conditions (observation wells). Te wells require asurace site o roughly one acre or drilling and less than one tenth o an acre or

the surace wellhead piping and other acilities.

I there are no acilities to be constructed on your property, the company will

only need the storage rights to the geologic ormation in which the natural gas


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would be stored. Tis is also the case or any property within

any designated buer zone or protective area around the actual

storage feld.

Q: Why is storage important?

A: Underground natural gas storage can be used to balance the loadrequirements o gas users. Storage felds are the warehouses that provide a

ready supply o natural gas to serve the market during periods o high demand.

For example, in the Midwest and the Mid-

Atlantic regions, natural gas is primarily used

during the winter because many homes areheated by natural gas. o accommodate

this load profle, natural gas is injected

into storage felds during the warmer

months (April - October), and withdrawn

in the colder months (November - March).

However, since the 1980s, most new power

generation equipment has been fred by

natural gas, which has created summer

peaking requirements or natural gas to

accommodate air conditioning loads in

many areas o the country. Storage helps to

meet peak demand requirements both in

winter and in summer.Well drilling rig

Q: What types of facilities are associated with storage?A: Most natural gas acilities in the U.S. consist o underground ormations,combined with above-ground equipment. Tese acilities include wells

(injection/withdrawal and observation, water supply, water disposal), wellhead

valve assemblies, gathering lines (feld lines, headers), metering and compression

acilities, dehydration units, generators or transormers, associated electric

equipment, roads, sheds/buildings and pipeline pigging acilities. A list o natural

gas acilities that all under FERC jurisdiction is available on the agencys Website athttp://www.erc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/storage/elds-by-owner.

pd. Natural gas storage acilities that are owned and operated by natural gas

distribution systems and used to deliver gas to their customers all under the

authority o state regulatory agencies.
http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/storage/fields-by-owner.pdfhttp://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/storage/fields-by-owner.pdfhttp://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/storage/fields-by-owner.pdfhttp://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/storage/fields-by-owner.pdfhttp://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/storage/fields-by-owner.pdfhttp://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/indus-act/storage/fields-by-owner.pdf


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Natural gas can also be converted to liquefed natural gas (LNG) and stored

in above-ground tanks. Facilities or making LNG are usually used by gas

distribution companies or short-term peaking requirements, and are regulated

under state authority. Te Federal Energy Regulatory Commission hasjurisdiction over a small number o these acilities.

Te United States also has several large LNG import terminals, which include

large LNG tanks as part o their operations. However, these terminals have no

liqueaction capability, so they are not able to be used to store natural gas that

is produced in the United States. Instead, the LNG that is imported is regassifed

beore it enters the system o interstate natural gas pipelines or delivery to

consumers.

Te Gul Coast area has the countrys highest concentration o existing and

planned LNG import terminals. In this region, the use o salt cavern and

depleted reservoirs may be used as storage or the LNG imports.

Q: Are there dierent types of underground storage elds?

A: Most storage o natural gas takes advantage o natural geologic ormations(reservoirs). Tere are three types o underground storage felds: (1) depleted oil

and/or gas felds, (2) aquiers, and (3) salt caverns.

Depleted Oil and/or Gas Fields: Most o the natural gas storage in the

United States consists o naturally-occurring oil or gas reservoirs that have

been depleted through production. Tese consist o porous and permeable

underground rock ormations (usually 1,000 to 5,000 eet thick) that are

confned by impermeable rock barriers and identifed by a single natural

pressure. ypically, this type o feld has one injection / withdrawal cycle each

year -- gas is injected in summer and withdrawn in winter. Tis type o storage

acility is normally used or long term or seasonal system supply, although in

some instances it is used or peak day deliveries. Tese ormations contain

volumes o gas that are permanently stored in the feld (called cushion or

base gas) that help to maintain the underground pressure required to operate

the feld. Storage gas is then added to the feld. In feld storage the base gas is

generally about 50% o the total reservoir capacity.

Aquifer Storage Fields: Tis type o storage feld uses a permeable rock

ormation containing water, called an aquier. Te nature o the water in

the aquier may vary rom resh water to saturated brine. An aquier would


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have a high cushion gas requirement, generally between 50% and 80%,

as the water in the portion o the reservoir being used or storage must be

displaced constantly. Tey also have high deliverability rates but are limited to

one injection/withdrawal cycle each year.

Salt Cavern Storage: Tis type o storage feld uses caverns that are leached or

mined out o underground salt deposits (salt domes or bedded salt ormations)

.

Salt caverns usually operate with about 20% to 30% cushion gas and the

remaining capacity as working gas. Working gas can be recycled more than once

per year (some up to 10 12 times per year), the injection and withdrawal rates

being limited only by the capability o the surace acilities. Salt cavern storage

has high deliverability and injection capabilities and is usually used or peakdeliverability purposes, daily or even hourly. Most o the naturally-occurring

salt caverns in the United States lie closer to the producer regionin Louisiana,

exas, and the Gul Coast.

For more detailed inormation about natural gas storage, visit these Web sites:

FERC Sta Report on Underground Natural Gas Storagehttp://www.erc.gov/EventCalendar/Files/20041020081349-nal-gs-report.pd

EIA: Basics o Underground Natural Gas Storagehttp://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/natural_gas/analysis_publications/

storagebasics/storagebasics.html

NaturalGas.org: Storage o Natural Gashttp://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/storage.asp

Te Energy Inormation Administration (EIA)http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/ino_glance/natural_gas.html

Q: How are storage eld boundaries determined?

A: Boundaries are determined by the geologic characteristics o the ormationin which the gas will be stored. Most also have buer zones surrounding the

portion o the reservoir to limit migration o the stored gas and to protect the

integrity o the feld.

Q: Can companies use the ground under my property withoutpaying for it? Am I required to sign an easement?

A: A company that owns/operates a storage feld can not use the undergroundportion o storage acilities without either owning mineral rights or having
http://www.ferc.gov/eventcalendar/files/20041020081349-final-gs-report.pdfhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/matural_gas/analysis_publications/storagebasics/storagebasics.htmlhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/matural_gas/analysis_publications/storagebasics/storagebasics.htmlhttp://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/storage.asphttp://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/info_glance/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/natural_gas/info_glance/natural_gas.htmlhttp://www.naturalgas.org/naturalgas/storage.asphttp://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/matural_gas/analysis_publications/storagebasics/storagebasics.htmlhttp://www.ferc.gov/eventcalendar/files/20041020081349-final-gs-report.pdf


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some orm o agreement with the owner o the mineral rights. Compensation

or that use will come as a result o the property/mineral rights conveyed to

the company by the current owner or attached to the deed rom a previous

property owner. Tose property/mineral rights, depending on the acts othe particular situation, will most likely be in the orm o a storage lease or an

easement agreement.

A FERC certifcate is not required in order or a company to negotiate the

acquisition o a storage lease or easement. However, i FERC has issued a

certifcate approving the creation o a new storage feld (or expansion o an

existing feld), that indicates that the agency has concluded that the storage

feld is needed and is in the public interest. In accordance with the Natural GasAct (a law passed by the United States Congress in 1938), the FERC certifcate

gives the company the right to ask a state or ederal court to award the needed

property rights to the company where voluntary good aith negotiation has

ailed.

I the owner o the property/mineral rights and the company do not reach an

agreement, the company can go to court to obtain the necessary rights through

eminent domain. In such cases, the court will determine the amount that thecompany must pay to the owner o these rights. Similarly, i the storage feld

operations aect the surace property through construction o acilities or by

reserving access rights, the company must also reach an agreement with the

owner o the surace rights or go to court to obtain any necessary property

rights through eminent domain. Te court will determine the amount that the

company must pay the owner o the surace rights. Te state or ederal court

procedure is known as condemnation (or the exercise o eminent domain).

Q: How far from my home can a storage facility be located?If the company is just using the area under my land, do theyrequire access to my land?

A: Te storage reservoir itsel is underground and does not require suraceacilities on every property within the storage feld boundaries. However, the

company may need to construct and operate acilities on the surace, including

injection and withdrawal wells to get the gas into and out o the subsurace rock

ormations, well lines that connect those wells to other pipelines in

the storage feld, compressor stations to pump the gas, and acilities that

are used to clean and monitor the interior o certain underground pipelines.

Where surace acilities are needed, the storage lease or easement agreements


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developed between the landowner and the storage acility operator

usually indicate minimum spacing o the acilities with respect to existing

structures, like your home.

In most cases, i the company does not have any surace acilities on your

property, the company would not need access to your property. However,

the company may need access to your land to check the integrity o a pipeline

crossing your property or to monitor the eects o previously abandoned

acilities (such as an old gas well) or acilities owned by another company

to insure that those acilities do not interere with the companys storage

operations. Because the need or access cannot be predicted, the storage lease

or easement agreement typically reerences the right o the company to enteryour property when needed. Te company should inorm the property owner

when its employees plan to enter the property.

Q: Is all storage in the U.S. under the jurisdiction of the FederalEnergy Regulatory Commission?

A: No. Only natural gas storage that is used in interstate commerce is under

FERC jurisdiction. Tere are approximately 500 existing underground natural gasstorage acilities in the United States. O those acilities, approximately 50% are

under FERC jurisdiction, the remaining are under state and/or local jurisdiction.

NOISE ISSUES

Q: How noisy is a new compressor station?A: Te noise attributable to any new compressor station, compression addedto an existing station, or any modifcation, upgrade or update o an existing

station, must not exceed a day-night average noise level o 55 decibels at any

pre-existing noise-sensitive area (such as schools, hospitals, or residences).

Companies conduct noise surveys during initial operation o the approved

acilities and report the results to FERC to document compliance.

Q: How much noise is permitted from horizontal drilling?

A: Horizontal drilling is used to drill wells in dierent directions rom onesurace location. It can also be used to install underground pipeline through

sensitive areas. Any horizontal directional drilling or drilling o wells should be


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conducted with the goal o keeping the perceived noise rom the drilling at any

pre-existing noise-sensitive area (such as schools, hospitals, or residences) at or

below a day-night level o 55 decibels. States may have their own allowable noise

level requirements or construction sites.

The Responsibilities of Gas Companies

Q: Must companies post bonds to guarantee performance?

A: No, but the Commission inspects the right-o-way during and ater

construction to ensure that the terms o its certifcate have been met.

Q: Can the pipeline company come on my land without mypermission?

A: State or local trespass laws prevail until a certifcate is issued by theCommission. Some states have laws that allow a company to get access to

property or survey purposes. Procedures vary by state. Once a certifcate is

issued or an easement/survey agreement or court order is obtained, the companymay come onto your land. Usually the company will notiy you in advance.

Q: When can they start to build?

A: Construction cannot commence until the Commission issues a certifcate,the applicant accepts it, and the applicant receives all other necessary permits

and authorizations, including compliance with environmental conditions

attached to the certifcate. For most large pipelines, the time rom fling anapplication to approval ranges rom one year to two years. Once a certifcate

is issued, construction may start within a ew weeks o the company having

completed any outstanding studies or having met other preconditions set by

the Commission.

Q: Why would the company approach me before the project

is approved?A: Because o planning and lead time the company may try to obtain easementagreements in advance. Also, a company must conduct environmental studies

beore it fles an application with the Commission. For these studies to be as

complete as possible, the company will try to obtain access to all o the proposed


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right-o-way. I Commission approval is ultimately denied, or the route

changes, the initial easement agreement with the landowner is usually void

(depending on the wording o the right-o-way or access contract). Further,

disputes over the wording o an easement agreement are subject to state law.

Q: Can the company place more than one pipeline on myproperty? Can the pipeline and the easement be used foranything other than natural gas?

A: Te Commission grants a certifcate and states that eminent domain mayonly be used or the proposed pipeline and related acilities in the exact location

described and only or the transportation o natural gas. I the company wishesto install another natural gas pipeline under Commission jurisdiction, it must

obtain additional approval rom the Commission. Other utilities may wish

to use an adjacent or overlapping easement, but they would have to obtain

approval rom you or rom another permitting authority which can grant

eminent domain (usually the state). O course, you may agree to other uses.

Q: Can the company construct above-ground facilities on the right-of-way?

A: Yes, i they have been approved by theCommission. Above-ground acilities, such as valves,

pig launchers and pig receivers, are commonly placed

in the right-o-way and are strategically placed along

the pipeline system or operation and saety purposes.

ValveQ: How close can the pipeline be to otherpipelines or utility facilities?

A: Pipelines must be at least a oot rom any underground structure and twoto three eet below ground. Companies usually want their pipelines to be 25

eet rom another pipeline. I space permits, pipelines can be placed in another

utilitys right-o-way.

Q: Can I receive service from the pipeline?

A: No, not in most cases. Generally speaking, interstate pipelines are operatingat pressures incompatible with direct residential use, which is provided by local

distribution companies.


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Q: Can a pipeline be placed in a river or the ocean?

A: A pipeline can be placed in the ocean or across a river; however, it is usually

not acceptable to place one longitudinally down a river or other stream. Tereare dierent environmental, cost, design and saety issues associated with

construction in a water body.

Q: How soon after construction will the company restorethe land?

A: Commission rules require restoration as soon as the trench is backflled and

weather permits.

Q. What authorization allows the pipeline company to use eminentdomain?

A: I the Commission authorizes the project and the necessary easementscannot be negotiated, an applicant is granted the right o eminent domain

(section 7(h) o the Natural Gas Act and the procedures set orth under the

Federal Rules o Civil Procedure (Rule 71A)). Under these conditions, thelandowner could receive compensation as determined by the courts.

Important Safety Issues

Q: Who is responsible for safety?

A: While the Commission has oversight in ensuring thatpipeline and above-ground acilities are saely constructed

and installed, once the natural gas is owing in the new

system, the U.S. Department o ransportation (DO) takes

over the responsibility during the operation or the lietime

o the pipeline. Te DO is also responsible or setting the

ederal saety standards or natural gas (and other) pipelines

and related acilities. Te Pipeline and Hazardous Materials

Saety Administration can be contacted at 202-366-4595

or athttp://www.phmsa.dot.gov.Safety Inspectors

Q: Are pipelines safe?

A: Accidents are rare and usually result rom outside orces or unauthorized
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action by someone other than the pipeline company. Te DO enorces

strict saety standards and requires saety checks.

Q: Does natural gas smell?

A: Natural gas is odorless. An odorant, which smells like rotten eggs, isgenerally added or quick leak detection in more populated areas on interstate

transmission pipelines and in local distribution pipelines in accordance with

DO saety regulations.

Further Environmental Issues

Q: What if my property contains endangered species, wetlands,or archeological sites?

A: Endangered species must be protected rom the eects o construction and

this could aect the location o the pipeline or other acilities. In the case o

wetlands, i proper crossing procedures are used and no alternatives are available,

they may be used or a pipeline right-o-way. I an archeological or historic site

is eligible or listing in the National Register o Historic Places, impact to it must

be minimized. It will either be excavated and studied, or the pipeline will be

rerouted to avoid it. Landowners who want them usually are permitted to keep

any artiacts ater they are properly studied, subject to state law.

Q: Environmental studies were mentioned earlier.

How do they work?A: A Notice o Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or anenvironmental impact statement (EIS) is issued or most major proposals. It is

sent to ederal, state and local agencies, local media and libraries, environmental

groups, and, where the Commission is able to identiy them, the aected

owners o any land that would be crossed. For some major projects the NOI

may announce a schedule o public meetings along the proposed route. Te

NOI seeks comments rom interested parties on the scope o the environmentaldocument, and the comments must be submitted to the Commission, normally

within 30 days. Ater the comment period, the Commission sta will prepare

an EA or a Drat EIS outlining its fndings and recommendations. For major

proposals, urther comments are sought during 45 days allotted or review o a

Drat EIS or 30 days in the case o an EA. Tese comments are addressed in the

Final EIS or the fnal order granting or denying the application.


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Glossary of Terms

(Glossary of Terms supplied courtesy of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials

Safety Administration. For further information, please consult their Web site athttp://www.phmsa.dot.gov.)

Compressor Stations

Compressor Stations are facilities located along a natural gas pipeline which

house and protect compressors. Compressors are used to compress (or pump)

the gas to move it through the system. Compressor stations are strategically

placed along the pipeline to boost the system pressure to maintain required

ow rates.

Easement

An easement is an acquired privilege or right, such as a right-of-way, aorded a

person or company to make limited use of another persons or companys real

property. For example, the municipal water company may have an easement

across your property for the purpose of installing and maintaining a water

line. Similarly, oil and natural gas pipeline companies acquire easements fromproperty owners to establish rights-of-way for construction and operation of

their pipelines.

Lateral

A lateral is a segment of a pipeline that branches o the main or transmission

line to transport the product to a termination point, such as a tank farm or a

metering station.

Launcher

A launcher is a pipeline component that is used

for inserting an inline inspection tool, cleaning

pig, or other device into a pressurized pipeline.

After performing its task, the tool or pig is

removed via receiver.

LauncherLoop

A loop is a segment of pipeline installed adjacent to an existing pipeline and

connected to it at both ends. A loop allows more gas to be moved through the

system.
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Metering and Regulating (M&R) Stations

Metering and regulating stations are installations

containing equipment to measure the amount

of gas entering or leaving a pipeline system and,sometimes, to regulate gas pressure.

Metering and RegulatingStation

Pig

A pig, also known as a smart pig, is a generic

term signifying any independent, self-contained

device, tool, or vehicle that is inserted into and

moves through the interior of a pipeline forinspecting, dimensioning, or cleaning. ese tools are commonly

referred to as pigs because of the occasional squealing noises that

can be heard as they travel through the pipe.

Receivers

A pipeline component used for removing an inline inspection tool,

cleaning pig, or other device from a pressurized pipeline. e device

is inserted into the pipeline via a launcher.

Rights-of- Way (ROW)

A right-of-way is a dened strip of land on which an operator has the

rights to construct, operate, and/or maintain a pipeline. A ROW may

be owned outright by the operator or an easement may be acquired

for specic use of the ROW.

Trench

A trench is a long narrow ditch dug into the

ground and embanked with its own soil. ey

are used for concealment and protection of

pipeline. Trenches are usually dug by a backhoe

or by a specialized digging machine.

Pipeline in trench

ValveA valve is a mechanical device installed in a pipeline and used to

control the ow of gas or liquid.

Seehttp://www.phmsa.dot.govfor additional pipeline-related

terminology denitions.
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Additional Information

For additional information, contact:

Federal Energy Regulatory CommissionOce of External Aairs

888 First Street NE, Washington, DC 20426

Toll Free: 1-866-208-3372

E-mail: [email protected]

www.ferc.gov

Dispute Resolution Service Helpline

Toll Free: 1-877-337-2237E-mail:[email protected]

Other related FERC documents you may nd helpful

are listed below. ese are available on our Web site.

e following can be found at:

http://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/guidelines.asp

n Guidance Manual for Environmental Report Preparation

n Guidelines for Reporting On Cultural Resources Investigations

n Handbook for Using ird-party Contractors to Prepare EnvironmentalAssessments & Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)

n Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation and Maintenance Plan

n Wetland and Waterbody Construction andMitigation Procedures

http://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/citizen-guides.asp

n Your Guide to Electronic Information at FERC
mailto:[email protected]://www.ferc.gov/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/guidelines.asphttp://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/citizen-guides.asphttp://www.ferc.gov/for-citizens/citizen-guides.asphttp://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/guidelines.aspmailto:[email protected]://www.ferc.gov/mailto:[email protected]


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PROCESS FOR NATUR ALGAS CERTIFICATES

Use of the Pre-FilingEnvironmental Review (PF)

Process is Approved (voluntary)

Conduct Scoping toDetermine Environmental

Issues and Attempt toResolve Issues

Applicant les FERCApplication

FERC Issues Noticeof Application

Conduct Scoping(if the PF Process is not used)

Issue EA orDraft EIS

Respond to environmentalcomments / Issue Final EIS

CommissionIssues Order


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Your projects docket number
http://www/ferc/gov/industries/gas.asp

Documents

An Interstate Natural Gas Facility on My Land