The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff has issued a draft environmental impact statement for the Delta Lateral Project recently, stating the project would disturb a total 540.5 acres of land and open water.
The Nov. 4 FERC statement recommended approval for the Kern River Transmission Co.'s pipeline project, stating construction could increase the potential for erosion, compaction and rutting, though mitigation efforts by Kern River would minimize any impacts on surface water and soil.
“We conclude that, if constructed and operated in accordance with applicable laws and regulations, Kern River’s proposed mitigation, and our recommendations presented in the EIS, the project would result in some adverse environmental impact; however, with the exception of climate change impacts, those impacts would not be significant,” the FERC executive summary said.
Among these impacts, the summary adds, residents could experience traffic delays, air emissions and noise pollution during construction of the pipeline segment, including exhaust emissions and fugitive dust that would result in short-term, localized impacts in the immediate vicinity of construction work areas.
According to the release, the Delta Lateral Project will consist of a 35.84-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline, two mainline taps with automated lateral inlet valve assemblies, an in-line inspection device launcher and receiver, an automated lateral block valve assembly, a delivery meter station and ancillary facilities. It will also provide transportation for 140,000 dekatherms of natural gas per day from Opal, Wyoming, to the Intermountain Power Project in Delta, Utah, the proposal states.
FERC commissioners will consider staff recommendations as they work toward a final decision on the project, the release states. Comments on the draft must be received in Washington by Dec. 27.
