The pre-filing application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) from the Millennium Pipeline to beef up capacity of the pipeline in several locations by installing 7.8 miles of new looping pipeline, upgrading one compressor station and building a new compressor station. The pipeline is located in New York State and connects to several other interstate pipelines, delivering natural gas to New York's Southern Tier and beyond.
Millennium Pipeline Pre-Filing for Eastern System Upgrade Project
1. www.millenniumpipeline.com
One Blue Hill Plaza, 7th Floor
Post Office Box 1565
Pearl River, NY 10965
845.620.1300 Voice | 845.620.1320 Fax
January 19, 2016
Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street, N.E.
Washington, D.C. 20426
Re: Request for Pre-Filing Review
Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
Eastern System Upgrade
Dear Ms. Bose:
Pursuant to Section 157.21(b) of the regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (“Commission”),1
Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (“Millennium”) hereby
requests approval from the Director of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects to commence
the pre-filing review process with respect to Millennium’s proposed Eastern System Upgrade
(“Project”). Representatives of Millennium met with Commission Staff to discuss the Project
and Millennium’s use of the pre-filing review process. Upon completion of the pre-filing
review, Millennium will file an application with the Commission for authorization to construct
the Project under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (“NGA”).2
The Project consists of the addition of a new compressor unit at Millennium’s existing
Hancock Compressor Station; the construction of a new compressor station in Sullivan County,
New York; the installation of approximately 7.3-miles of pipeline between Millennium’s existing
Huguenot and Westtown meter stations; and the addition of facilities at Millennium’s existing
Ramapo meter station. The Project will permit Millennium to transport an incremental volume
of approximately 200,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/day) of natural gas from Millennium’s
Corning Compressor Station to an existing interconnect with Algonquin Gas Transmission,
L.L.C. located in Ramapo, New York. All of the new capacity is subscribed under executed
precedent agreements for long-term, firm contracts. The Project facilities have been designed to
maintain current operating pressures at intermediate delivery points following the construction of
the Project, to address increased customer demand on Millennium’s system during the summer
months, and to ensure continued deliveries to interconnecting pipelines following pressure
increases on those systems.
1
18 C.F.R. § 157.21(b) (2014).
2
15 U.S.C. § 717f(c) (2012).
2. www.millenniumpipeline.com
2
Pursuant to Section 157.21(d) of the Commission’s regulations,3
Millennium provides the
following detailed Project information in support of its request:
1. A description of the schedule desired for the project including the expected
application filing date and the desired date for Commission approval.
To satisfy its commitments to its shippers under the precedent agreements that
support the construction of the Project, Millennium is proposing an in-service date of
September 1, 2018 for the Project. To complete the proposed Project and place the
facilities into service by this date, Millennium anticipates filing a certificate
application for the Project under Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act in July 2016 and
requests that the Commission issue an order approving the Project by July 31, 2017.
Millennium requests that the Commission set a schedule for review of the Project
consistent with the following milestones:
Schedule Milestone
January 19, 2016 Pre-filing request submitted
February 5, 2016 File initial drafts of Resource Report 1 and alternatives
April 27, 2016 File Drafts of Resource Reports 1 through 12
July 29, 2016 Submit Section 7(c) Application
July 31, 2017 Requested date for FERC Final Order
September 1, 2017 Commence Project construction
September 1, 2018 Place Project facilities into service
2. For LNG terminal facilities, a description of the zoning and availability of the
proposed site and marine facility location.
No LNG terminal facilities are related to or proposed as part of the Project.
3. An explanation of why the prospective applicant is requesting to use the Pre-
Filing process.
Millennium is seeking to participate in the Commission’s pre-filing review process to
facilitate the early identification of affected parties and environmental issues and the
timely resolution of concerns in consultation with Commission Staff and Project
stakeholders. Comments received from the Commission Staff on Millennium’s draft
Resource Reports will minimize the number of technical and environmental data
requests necessary once Millennium’s certificate application is filed. The pre-filing
review process will also establish a coordinated schedule for a complete and thorough
3
18 C.F.R. § 157.21(d).
3. www.millenniumpipeline.com
3
environmental review, which will enable Millennium to achieve its planned in-service
date of September 1, 2018 for the Project facilities.
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.
The Project will involve the addition of an approximately 22,400 horsepower
compressor unit at Millennium’s existing Hancock Compressor Station, the
construction of a new approximately 22,400 horsepower compressor station located
about equidistant between Millennium’s existing Hancock and Minisink compressor
stations, installation of approximately 7.3 miles of 36-inch pipeline parallel to
Millennium’s existing 24 inch line between its Huguenot and Westtown meter
stations and the addition of facilities at Millennium’s existing Ramapo meter station.
The general location of proposed facilities is illustrated on the map provided as
Attachment 1. As part of the pre-filing review process, Millennium is committed to
continuing to work with stakeholders to address their concerns regarding the Project
facilities. As Millennium continues these ongoing efforts to refine and finalize the
exact locations of the various Project facilities, updates to the map will be submitted
to Commission Staff.
The Project will be designed to transport approximately 200,000 Dth/day of natural
gas from Millennium’s existing Corning Compressor Station to its existing Ramapo
meter station and the various points in between. As part of an open season conducted
between March 11 to March 31, 2015 Millennium executed binding precedent
agreements with a number of shippers for 199,500 Dth/day of the Project capacity.
5. A list of the relevant federal and state agencies in the project area with
permitting requirements. 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);
(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 respective
permits or other authorizations.
Millennium has contacted federal and state agencies regarding the Project to provide
information about the Commission’s pre-filing review procedures, to discuss the
agencies’ respective permitting requirements, and to solicit the participation of
federal and state agencies in the pre-filing review process. The table included as
Attachment 2 identifies and provides contact information for the relevant federal and
4. www.millenniumpipeline.com
4
state agencies with potential permitting requirements for the Project. The table also
summarizes the results of Millennium’s consultations with the affected agencies.
Millennium has incorporated the agency-specific schedules for issuance of required
authorizations into its overall Project schedule and expects to receive these
authorizations prior to the commencement of construction. Millennium plans to file
applications for applicable federal and federally-delegated permits
contemporaneously with the filing of the NGA Section 7(c) certificate application.
6. A list and description of the interest of other persons or organizations that have
been contacted about the project (including contact names and telephone
numbers).
Millennium has begun meeting with various stakeholders, including local, state, and
federal officials, to identify and address potential concerns with the Project. A list
identifying the stakeholders that have been contacted about the Project is provided as
Attachment 3. Millennium will continue its public outreach efforts throughout the
pre-filing period, keeping stakeholders and other interested parties informed of the
Project.
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. The description shall also include the identification of the environmental
and engineering firms and subcontractors under contract to develop the project.
A. Stakeholder Contact. Information regarding Millennium’s stakeholder contact
efforts is included in Attachment 3.
B. Agency Consultations. Attachment 2 includes information regarding
Millennium’s consultations with federal and state agencies about the Project.
C. Project Engineering. Millennium has contracted EN Engineering (“ENE”) to
provide engineering services for the project. ENE has completed site surveys,
10% designs, equipment layouts, 10% grading and site plot plans, centerline
survey of the existing 24” line, and 10% alignment sheets for the 7.3 mile
pipeline.
D. Environmental and Engineering Contractor Engagement. Millennium has
retained TRC Environmental Corporation as its environmental contractor and
ENE as its engineering contractor.
E. Environmental Surveys/Studies. A desktop review of available information has
been conducted for the proposed locations for the Project facilities. Resources
reviewed included federally and state-listed threatened and endangered species,
wetlands and waterbodies, existing land use and topography, and soils. There are
5. www.millenniumpipeline.com
5
a total of 47 parcels crossed by the pipeline loop, and 95% (45) of the affected
landowners have granted survey access permission. Millennium has completed
wetland and cultural resource surveys on over 90% of the survey corridor around
the pipeline loop because it was able to complete such surveys on all parcels
where survey access permission has been granted, and within Millennium’s
existing easement on no access parcels. Wetland and cultural resource surveys
have also been completed at all three aboveground facility sites. Pending
completion of initial consultation with federal and state agencies regarding rare
species, additional surveys may be conducted in spring / summer 2016. The data
from these surveys will be included within the final resource reports currently
scheduled to be filed in July 2016.
F. Site Control. As stated above, Millennium has received survey permission from
95% of landowners for the pipeline loop portion of the Project and either owns or
has obtained survey access for all of the above ground facility locations. If route
variations are required based on survey findings, Millennium will request survey
permission from any additional affected landowners (if applicable). Once a final
route for the pipeline loop is determined for the NGA Section 7(c) filing,
Millennium will begin the process of obtaining, on a consensual basis, the land
rights needed to construct, own and operate the Project. Millennium has acquired
the land needed for the new compressor station to be located in Sullivan County.
Millennium is currently negotiating for additional land that may be needed at the
Hancock Compressor Station, and the permanent facilities to be added to the
Ramapo Meter Station, as currently designed, can be located within the property
lines of the current station.
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 National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”)
document.
No LNG terminal facilities are related to or proposed as part of the Project.
9. For non-LNG 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 Section
157.21.
To provide administrative assistance to the Commission Staff during the pre-filing
review and certificate proceeding, Millennium will provide a third-party
environmental contractor to assist Commission Staff in completing the review
process. Millennium conducted an RFP soliciting proposals for a third-party
6. www.millenniumpipeline.com
6
contractor. Contemporaneously with this filing, Millennium is providing Commission
Staff with the top three proposals received in response to the RFP.
10. Acknowledgement that a complete Environmental Report and complete
application are required at the time of filing.
Millennium acknowledges that a complete Environmental Report and a complete
NGA Section 7(c) certificate application are required at the time of filing.
Millennium plans on submitting the final Environmental Report and the application in
July 2016.
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.
Millennium has developed a comprehensive Public Participation Plan, provided as
Attachment 4, setting forth Millennium’s efforts to facilitate stakeholder
communication and to provide effective public outreach for the Project.
Millennium has established a toll-free number, (877) 745-5615, to facilitate
stakeholder communications regarding the Project. Michelle Hook and/or Michael
Armiak will serve as the primary contact for the public regarding the project. Hook
can be reached by phone at 845-570-0862 or email at
hook@millenniumpipeline.com. Armiak can be reached by phone at 845-645-1176 or
email at armiak@millenniumpipeline.com. Information about the Project will also be
available on Millennium’s public website, at www.millenniumpipeline.com,
throughout the pre-filing review process and certificate proceeding.
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.
No LNG terminal facilities are related to or proposed as part of the Project.
7. www.millenniumpipeline.com
7
Accordingly, Millennium hereby requests that the Director of the Office of Energy
Projects approve Millennium’s request to use the pre-filing review process for the Project.
Respectfully submitted,
MILLENNIUM PIPELINE COMPANY, L.L.C.
By: /s/ Gary A. Kruse
Gary A. Kruse
Vice President - General Counsel & Secretary
Millennium Pipeline Company, L.L.C.
(845) 620-1300
(845) 620-1320 (fax)
Attachments
cc: Ann F. Miles
Mike McGehee
John Wood
Terry Turpin
Rich McGuire
9. 14 Gabriel Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Created:
1/14/2016
V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd
")Delaware County
Town of Hancock
Hancock Compressor Station
Proposed Modifications
FISHSEDDY
HORTON
FISHS EDDY
LONG EDDY
HORTON
CALLICOON
LONGEDDY
CALLICOON
!.
")
!.
!.XW")
XW
K0 0.50.25
Miles
") Existing Compressor Station
Proposed Compressor Station Modifications
Existing Millennium Pipeline
US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle
Eastern System Upgrade
US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt
Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC
Page 1 of 6
1:24,000
10. 14 Gabriel Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Created:
1/14/2016
V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd
Sullivan County
Town of Tusten
Town of Highland
Highland
Compressor Station
HIGHLANDLAKE
ELDRED
!.
")
!.
!.XW")
XW
K0 0.50.25
Miles
Potential Access Road
Proposed Compressor Station
Existing Millennium Pipeline
US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle
Eastern System Upgrade
US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt
Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC
Page 2 of 6
1:24,000
11. 14 Gabriel Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Created:
1/14/2016
V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!.XW
Orange County
Town of Mount Hope
Town of Deerpark
Town of Greenville
Huguenot
Meter Station
Wagoner
Interconnect
Pipeyard 1
2.5
1.5
0.5
3
2
1
OTISVILLE
PORTJERVISNORTH
!.
")
!.
!.XW")
XW
K0 0.50.25
Miles
XW Existing Interconnect
!. Existing Meter Station
!!
Milepost (0.1 mile)
Proposed Loop
Potential Access Road
Potential Pipeyard
Existing Millennium Pipeline
US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle
Eastern System Upgrade
US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt
Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC
Page 3 of 6
1:24,000
12. 14 Gabriel Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Created:
1/14/2016
V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
Orange County
Town of Greenville
2.5
3.5
4.5
5.5
3
5
4
2
OTISVILLE
UNIONVILLE
!.
")
!.
!.XW")
XW
K0 0.50.25
Miles
!!
Milepost (0.1 mile)
Proposed Loop
Potential Access Road
Existing Millennium Pipeline
US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade
US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt
Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC
Page 4 of 6
1:24,000
13. 14 Gabriel Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Created:
1/14/2016
V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!!
!.
")
Orange County
Town of Minisink
Town of Greenville
Town of Wawayanda
Westtown
Meter Station
Minisink
Compressor Station
Pipeyard 2
4.5
5.5
7
6
5
4
6.5
OTISVILLE
UNIONVILLE
!.
")
!.
!.XW")
XW
K0 0.50.25
Miles
") Existing Compressor Station
!. Existing Meter Station
!!
Milepost (0.1 mile)
Proposed Loop
Potential Access Road
Potential Pipeyard
Existing Millennium Pipeline
US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle
Eastern System Upgrade
US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt
Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC
Page 5 of 6
1:24,000
14. 14 Gabriel Drive
Augusta, ME 04330
Created:
1/14/2016
V:PROJECTSAUGUSTAMillenniumRamapo_ExpansionMXDUSTopo_8x11Portrait.mxd
!.
XW
Rockland County
Town of Ramapo
Ramapo Meter
Station Modifications
Ramapo
Interconnect
THIELLS
SLOATSBURG
!.
")
!.
!.XW")
XW
K0 0.50.25
Miles
XW Existing Interconnect
!. Existing Meter Station
Existing Algonquin Gas
Existing Millennium Pipeline
US Topo 7.5 Minute Quadrangle Eastern System Upgrade
US Topo Quadrange Map Excerpt
Sources: USGS National Map 2013 (accessed December 2015), ESRI, Millenium, and TRC
Page 6 of 6
1:24,000
16. Pre-File Agency Correspondence Tracking Sheet - Federal Agencies
Agency
Region/
Division Contact Name Contact Address Contact Phone Contact Email Date Sent
Response
Type/Date
Participating
Agency (Y/N)
Responding
Contact
Meeting
Schedule
Additional
Comments
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency
Region 2
Ms. Lingard
Knutson, Sr.
Transportation
and Energy
Environmental
Analyst
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 2
290 Broadway, 25th Floor
New York, NY 10007 - 1866
(212) 637-3747 knutson.lingard@epa.gov
01-08-2016
via email
NOAA
Fisheries
Northeast
Region
Office
Ms. Karen
Greene
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930
karen.greene@noaa.gov 01-06-2016
via email
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife
Service
Region 5
Mr. Tim
Sullivan
USFWS - New York Field
Office
3817 Luker Road
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 753-9334 tim_r_sullivan@fws.gov
01-08-2016
via email
U.S. Army
Corps of
Engineers
New York
District
(Western
Permits
Section)
Mr. Brian
Orzel, Project
Manager
US Army Corps of Engineers
ATTN: Regulatory Branch,
Room 1937
26 Federal Plaza
New York, NY 10278-0090
(917) 790 - 8411
brian.a.orzel@usace.army.
mil
01-08-2016
via email
U.S. National
Park Service
Northeast
Region
Mr. Mike
Caldwell,
Regional
Director
National Park Service
U.S. Custom House
200 Chestnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(215) 597 - 7013 mike_caldwell@nps.gov
01-08-2016
via email
Delaware
River Basin
Commission
Water
Resources
Management
Branch
David Kovach,
Supervisor,
Project Review
Section
25 State Police Drive West
Trenton, NJ 08628-0360
(609) 883-9500 david.kovach@drbc.nj.gov
01-08-2016
via email
01-14-2016
via email
Y
17. Pre-File Agency Correspondence Tracking Sheet - New York State Agencies
Agency
Region/
Division Contact Name Contact Address Contact Phone Contact Email Date Sent
Response
Date/Type
Participating
Agency (Y/N)
Responding
Contact
Meeting
Schedule
Additional
Comments
New York
State
Department of
Agriculture
and Markets
Mr. Matthew
Brower,
Agricultural
Resource
Specialist
10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12235
(518) 457-2851
Office
(518) 527-7685
Cell
matthew.brower@agmkt.st
ate.ny.us
01-08-2016
via email
New York
State
Department of
Environmental
Conservation
(NYSDEC)
New York
Natural
Heritage
Program
Mr. Nicholas
Conrad,
Information
Resources
Coordinator
NYSDEC-DFWMR
NY Natural Heritage
Program
625 Broadway, 5th Floor
Albany, NY 12233-4757
(518) 402-8944 nick.conrad@dec.ny.gov
01-08-2016
via email
NYSDEC
Division of
Environmental
Permits
Ms. Karen
Gaidasz,
Environmental
Analyst II
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-1750
(518) 402-9167 Karen.gaidasz@dec.ny.gov
01-08-2016
via email
New York
State Office of
Parks,
Recreation,
and Historic
Preservation
State Historic
Preservation
Office
Mr. Paul
Archambault
Peebles Island State Park
P.O. Box 189
Waterford, NY 12188-0189
(518) 237-8643 kathy.howe@parks.ny.gov
01-08-2016
via email
c/o Kathy
Howe
New York
State Public
Service
Commission
Office of
Electric, Gas,
and Water
Rajendra
Addepalli,
Director
Empire State Plaza
Agency Building 3
Albany, NY 12223-1350
(518) 473 - 8986
rajendra.addepalli@dps.ny.
gov
01-08-2016
via email
18. Pre-File Agency Correspondence Tracking Sheet - Tribal Historic Preservation Officers
Agency
Region/
Division Contact Name Contact Address Contact Phone Contact Email Date Sent
Response
Date/Type
Participating
Agency (Y/N)
Responding
Contact
Meeting
Schedule
Additional
Comments
Delaware
Tribe of
Indians
Tribal
Historic
Preservation
Office
(THPO)
Ms. Susan
Bachor,
Preservation
Representative
PO Box 64
Pocono Lake, PA 18347
(610) 761-7452 temple@delawaretribe.org
01-08-2016
via email
Delaware
Nation
Cultural
Preservation
Office
Mr. Jason
Ross, Section
106 Manager
PO Box 825
Anadarko, OK 7300531064 State
Highway #281
Building 100
Anadarko, OK 73005
(405) 247 - 8903 jross@delawarenation.com
01-08-2016
via email
St. Regis
Mohawk Tribe
(formerly St.
Regis Band of
Mohawk
Indians of New
York)
THPO Ms. Ann Bero
412 State Route 37
Akwesasne, NY 13655
abero@srmt-nsn.gov
01-08-2016
via email
Stockbridge-
Munsee Band
of Mohican
Indians
Stockbridge-
Munsee
Tribal
Council
Ms. Bonney
Hartley, Tribal
Historic
Preservation
Officer
Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal
Historic Preservation
New York Office
P.O. Box 718
Troy, NY 12181
(518) 326 – 8870
Bonney.hartley@mohican-
nsn.gov
01-08-2016
via email
20. Government Officials
Attachment 3 List of Stakeholders Contacted
Stakeholder Contact Comment
New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation
(518) 402-8545 Tuesday, November 17, 2015
New York Department of Public Service (518) 474-2523 Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Office of State Senator John Bonacic (845) 344-3311 Monday, January 11, 2016
Office of State Senator David Carlucci (518) 455-2991 Monday, January 11, 2016
Office of State Senator Fred Akshar (518) 455-2677 Monday, January 11, 2016
Office of Assemblyman Clifford Crouch (518) 455-5741 Monday, January 11, 2016
Office of Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (518) 455-5355 Monday, January 11, 2016
Office of Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (845) 544-7551 Monday, January 11, 2016
Office of Orange County Executive (845) 291-4000 Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Wawayanda Town Supervisor John Razzano (845) 355-5702 Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (845) 875-4585
(202) 224-4451
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Office of US Congressman Maloney (845) 561-1259
(202) 225-5441
Tuesday, December 15, 2015 (district office)
Thursday January 14, 2016 (D.C. office)
Office of U.S. Congresswoman Lowey (845) 639-3485 Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Town of Deerpark Supervisor Gary Spears (845) 856-2210 ext. 1 Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Town of Minisink Supervisor Ralph Ford (845) 590-3833 Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Town of Greenville Supervisor George Hossann (845) 856‐5064 Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Town of Highland Supervisor Jeff Haas (845) 557-8901 Friday, January 8, 2016
Town of Hancock Supervisor Sam Rowe (607) 637-3651 Thursday, January 7, 2016
Delaware County Chairman of the Board James
Eisel
(607) 832-5110 Thursday, January 7, 2016
22. Public Participation Plan
Millennium Pipeline Company
Eastern System Upgrade
January 2016
I. PROJECT OVERVIEW
Millennium Pipeline Company (Millennium) is proposing a project called the Eastern
System Upgrade to increase capacity on its system by approximately 200,000 Dth/day.
The project will have four main components:
7.3 miles of new, 36” pipeline laid parallel to the current 24” pipeline from Deer
Park to Westtown in Orange County.
Increasing horsepower at the Hancock compressor station in Delaware County
by adding a new compressor unit that will add 22,400 horsepower to the system.
Adding a new compressor station in Highland, located in Sullivan County,
approximately 25 miles east of the Hancock facility, which will add 22,400
horsepower to the system.
Upgrade and modify the existing Ramapo Meter Station in Rockland County.
The customers that would be served by this upgrade are all Northeast utilities that are
seeking to diversify the supply source for the gas their customers use. The additional
capacity will benefit consumers by keeping gas supply prices low.
To ensure that the public is aware of the project and has opportunities for input,
Millennium has developed the following Public Participation Plan that summarizes
scheduled outreach to key stakeholders in the area of the project as well as the general
public. Millennium is committed to enacting a plan that encompasses early public
notification and regular communications with all stakeholders.
II. KEY STAKEHOLDERS
Affected landowners
Federal, state, and local governmental officials
Regulatory and permitting agencies
Community and environmental groups
News media
One Blue Hill Plaza, 7th Floor
Post Office Box 1565
Pearl River, NY 10965
845.620.1300 Voice | 845.620.1320 Fax
23. III. COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIES AND TOOLS
Millennium’s outreach efforts are designed to inform, engage, and build relationships
with all the stakeholders in the regulatory review process, from project inception and
announcement through completion. Millennium will engage with stakeholders and the
public early in the project review process to inform them about the purpose and need of
the project as well as the proposed route and facilities, its key features, opportunities for
public input, the regulatory process as well as the construction process to be employed.
Additionally the outreach efforts are intended to help identify and address stakeholder
concerns about the project.
The project will be located in the eastern portion of Millennium’s current footprint, with
upgrades to our existing facilities in Delaware, Orange and Rockland Counties, and a
new facility in Sullivan County. Millennium will build on the outreach efforts the company
currently maintains in those areas and actively focus on engaging stakeholders and the
community at-large, using a variety of communication methods.
Millennium plans a broad distribution of informational materials, utilizing direct mail,
media outreach, the company’s website, a toll-free information line, local newspaper
ads, and other local resources.
To carry out this plan, Millennium will do the following:
Conduct face to face meetings with landowners, elected officials and key
stakeholders;
Direct mail pieces;
Issue press releases and conduct other media activities that ensure the news
media has information and can report on the project;
Create collateral materials such as fact sheets, maps and other printed materials
that will be made available to the public in a variety of places;
Create a dedicated section on the Millennium web site
(http://www.millenniumpipeline.com/index.html) that contains important public
information and provides information on how the public can contact the company
to provide feedback;
Create several repositories of informational material
Provide a toll-free phone number for the public to call: (877) 745-5615
Provide an email address the public can use to submit comments and questions;
Conduct regular governmental briefings; and
Host an open house meeting to give interested parties access to information and
the opportunity to discuss the project with Millennium officials.
IV. DIRECT MAIL
Within fourteen days after the issuance of the notice approving the use of the pre-filing
process, Millennium will initiate a direct mailing to all stakeholders, including agencies,
elected officials and potentially affected landowners. The mailer will provide specifics on
the location of the facilities to the extent known at that time, and an overview of the
project, including a proposed timeline.
24. V. INFORMATIONAL OPEN HOUSE
Millennium will hold a public open house to introduce the project to host communities.
The format will be structured around information stations, complete with displays and
photographs. Community members and other interested stakeholders will be able to
speak with, and ask questions of, company representatives and Millennium’s
contractors to learn about the various aspects of the project such as potential
environmental impacts, construction processes, project equipment, and other pertinent
facts.
The meeting will be held in an accessible public location, most likely in Sullivan County.
Fact sheets, maps and other collateral materials will be available for people to take
home.
Millennium will publicize the open house by:
Issuing a press release to local media
Placing advertisements in local newspapers; and
Sending direct mail to stakeholders.
VI. INFORMATION REPOSITORIES
In an effort to make information about the project available to the public, Millennium will
place public documents in several to-be-determined public buildings in locations near
Millennium project areas. These information repositories will be in readily accessible
public venues and house public information and regulatory filings on the project.
VII. TOLL-FREE INFORMATION LINES
Millennium will continue to maintain its current toll-free phone line at (877) 213-1944
which will allow stakeholders and residents to contact the company and request
information, share concerns and express opinions about the project.
VIII. WEB PRESENCE
Millennium will update the company’s website (www.millenniumpipeline.com) and use it
to communicate with the public as well. As the project moves through the various stages
of development, Millennium plans to add the following details on the project to the site:
A proposed route map;
A location map for the above-ground facilities;
Expected timeline with key dates;
Facts and bullets on the benefits of the project;
Contact information for Millennium; and
Links to the websites of resources such as regulatory agencies, and other
important sites.
25. IX. MEDIA RELATIONS
Millennium will also announce the project to the media via a press release targeted to
media outlets that cover events in the host communities where the upgrades will be
taking place.
In addition, as the project moves forward, Millennium is committed to keeping the public
informed about the project and from time to time, the company may issue press
releases or statements related to:
New project developments;
Community activities; and
Open house or other public input opportunities.
X. GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
To assist state and local officials in understanding the project objectives and to provide
them with the support they need to respond to constituent inquiries, Millennium will be:
Conducting introductory briefings;
Providing regular updates; and
Inviting officials to attend sponsored events such as the Informational Open
House.
XI. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT
Michelle Hook and/or Michael Armiak will serve as the primary contact for the public
regarding the project. Hook can be reached by phone at 845-570-0862 or email at
hook@millenniumpipeline.com. Armiak can be reached by phone at 845-645-1176 or
email at armiak@millenniumpipeline.com.
XII. INFORMATION REQUESTS FROM FEDERAL & STATE PERMITTING
AGENCIES
Millennium will respond in a timely manner to information requests from federal and
state permitting agencies through its environmental consultants or other designated
representatives.