northern natural gas - senior director, certificates … postings/2017_09_29...for the 36inch-...

Northern Natural Gas Company P.O. Box 3330 Omaha, NE 68103-0330 402 398-7200

October 5, 2017 Via eFiling Ms. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 888 First Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20426 RE: Northern Natural Gas Company Northern Lights 2017 Docket No. CP16-472-000 Biweekly Report #15 Dear Ms. Bose;

Pursuant to Condition 8 of the Order Issuing Certificate issued by the Federal

Energy Regulatory Commission September 1, 2017, in the above-referenced docket, Northern Natural Gas Company hereby submits for filing its biweekly status report for the period ending September 29, 2017.

Any questions regarding the filing should be directed to the undersigned at (402)

398-7138 or Mike Loeffler at (402) 398-7103. Respectfully Submitted, /s/ Michael T. Loeffler Michael T. Loeffler Senior Director, Certificates and External Affairs Attachment

Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Project Biweekly Status Report No. 15

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Northern Natural Gas Northern Lights 2017 Expansion Project (CP16-472-000) Biweekly Status Report No. 15 September 16, 2017 – September 29, 2017 PROJECT DESCRIPTION The project consists of a 2.0-mile Princeton branch line loop extension (Princeton Loop) in Sherburne County, a 2.8-mile St. Cloud branch line loop extension (St. Cloud Loop) in Isanti County, and the addition of a 15,900-hp compressor unit at the existing Faribault compressor station in Rice County, Minnesota. New valve settings will be installed at the end of each pipeline loop. FEDERAL AUTHORIZATION STATUS Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) began consultation with the applicable agencies and tribes in September 2015. The status of all federal authorizations are listed in the table below.

Federal Authorization Status Agency Name Permit/Authorization/Letter of Concurrence Status Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Certificate (Docket No. CP16-472-000) Received 1/30/2017

U.S. Army Corp of Engineers – Saint Paul District

Section 404 authorization under RGP-003-MN (MVP-2016-00742-MLV)

Received 10/31/2016

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Twin Cities Field Office

Obtained USFWS concurrence of no impact to threatened and endangered species

Completed 04/22/2016

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Twin Cities Field Office

Northern long-eared bat streamlined consultation form

Completed 04/22/2016

USDA FSA Isanti County

1. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) 2. Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) 3. Lands subject to Debt for Nature Contracts and Easements 4. Lands subject to Farm Service Agency mortgages 5. Land subject to restrictive easements to protect resources such as wetlands and threatened or endangered species.

Sent 01/27/16 Consultation complete.


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Agency Name Permit/Authorization/Letter of Concurrence Status USDA FSA Sherburne County

1. Known locations of noxious and/or invasive weed species

2. Identification of any lands/easements that may be enrolled in programs administered by the FSA


USDA FSA Rice County


USDA NRCS – Cambridge Service Center

Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) and Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) easements


USDA NRCS – Elk River Service Center

Received 02/19/2016 Consultation complete.

USDA – NRCS - Faribault Service Center

Received 02/1/2016 Consultation complete.

MN Pollution Control Agency

401 Water Quality Certificate Authorized 02/12/2016


Clean Air Act, Major Amendment, State; Limits to avoid Part 70/ True minor for New Source Review

Received 03/28/2017


General Permit Authorization to Discharge Stormwater Associated with Construction Activities under the NPDES/State Disposal System (SDS) Permit

Received 02/27/2017

MN Department of Natural Resources

Water Appropriation General Permit Authorization for construction trench dewatering

Received 04/10/2017 and 06/05/2017

Minnesota Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office

Section 106 Consultation Completed 08/12/2016


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PIPELINE SEGMENTS One contractor will construct the two branch line loop extensions in sequence. The environmental training totals listed below reflect all training conducted on the pipeline segments. On-site Contractor: Michels Corporation, Inc. Overall Construction Start Date: 5/8/2017 Environmental Training Conducted: This reporting period: 1 Total to date: 73 St. Cloud Branch Line Loop Extension Construct a 2.8-mile extension of Northern’s existing 12-inch-diameter St. Cloud branch line loop (MNB77502) in Isanti County, Minnesota. Construction Status The temporary workspace owned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) from MP 0.5 to MP 0.7 was returned to original grade and the top soil was spread. The bridge and timber mat road were removed. This area was seeded with the requested MN DNR seed mixes, mulched, and erosion blankets installed. These seeded areas are now closed to contractor access. The workspace between MP 0.7 and 0.8 to Holly Street was returned to original grade and topsoil was spread, but the area was not seeded or mulched at the request of the Isanti County Parks Department. Michels tied-in the Rum River bore pipe with the Larch Street bore pipe at MP 1.7 September 19, 2017. The 2.8-mile St. Cloud Loop pipeline was hydrostatic tested September 21, 2017. The open-ended riser west of the tie-in fabrication at MP 2.8 was tied into the west end of the bore/line pipe September 27, 2017. One skillet remains within each of the two flanges to prevent the introduction of natural gas into the new piping. The west end is ready to be tied-in. The area north of the driveway at MP 2.8 had the subsoil and topsoil returned to original grade. This approximately two-acre area was seeded, mulched and crimped. Construction Modifications No construction modification occurred during this reporting period. Stream Crossings and Environmentally Sensitive Areas The bridges over an unnamed stream at MP 0.5 and over a wetland at MP 1.7 were removed September 16 and 22, 2017, respectively and the areas were seeded. Rain Events One rain event occurred during this reporting period of 0.60 inch, September 26, 2017. The weekly storm water inspections found the project to be in full environmental compliance. To date, the project has received 13.45 inches of rain.

St. Cloud Branch Line Loop Extension Construction Progress Activity Start Date Completed Notes

Survey 6/21/2017 99% Clearing 6/22/2017 100% Grading 6/22/2017 100% Stringing 7/13/2017 100% Welding 7/22/2017 99% Ditching 8/22/2017 100%


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Lower-in 8/22/2017 100% Backfill 8/23/2017 90% Tie-ins 8/22/2017 90% Clean-up 8/29/2017 75% Seeding 8/29/2017 80% Additional seeding occurred at MP 2.7 (2 acres) *Completed totals include either percentage completed or date all completed. All totals are approximate.

Two-Week Projection

1. Conduct stoppling of 12-inch-diameter MNB77502 C-Line to control gas flow and conduct the tie-ins to place the 12-inch-diameter St. Cloud branch line loop extension into service.

2. Backfill east tie-in area and replace top soil. 3. Backfill west tie-in and complete final two acres of seeding. 4. Install pipeline markers. 5. Commence clean-up of the west yard.

Princeton Branch Line Loop Extension Construct a 2.0-mile extension of Northern’s existing 8-inch-diameter Princeton branch line loop (MNB91902) in Sherburne County, Minnesota. Construction Status All construction activities on the Princeton Loop project are complete, including the installation of the pipe and replacement and subsequent seeding of soils. Pipeline markers and cattle guards around the above ground pipe fabrication were installed. The ROW was returned to preconstruction contours, de-compacted, seeded, and mulched where necessary. Erosion control blanket was installed in road ditches. Temporary erosion control devices (ECDs), such as silt fence, straw wattles, and hay bales will remain installed on the ROW until the project reaches final stabilization. Ninety percent of the project has reached final stabilization. Construction Modifications No construction modifications occurred during this reporting period. Stream Crossings and Environmentally Sensitive Areas No stream crossings were conducted and no construction occurred within other environmentally sensitive areas during this reporting period. Rain Events No rain events occurred during this reporting period in excess of 0.50 inch. The weekly storm water inspections found the project to be in full environmental compliance. In total, the project has received 12.10 inches of rain.

Princeton Branch Line Loop Extension Construction Progress Activity Start Date Completed Notes

Survey 5-8-17 100% Clearing 5-9-17 100% Grading 5-9-17 100% Stringing 5-18-17 100% Welding 5-16-17 100% Ditching 6-5-17 100% HDD 5-30-17 100%


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Lower-in 6-5-17 100% Backfill 6-5-17 100% Tie-ins 6-7-17 100% Clean-up 6-21-17 100% Seeding 6-21-17 100% *Completed totals include either percentage completed or date all completed. All totals are approximate.

Two-Week Projection

1. Monitor revegetation and check the functionality of ECDs weekly and within 24 hours of a rain event in excess of 0.5 inch.

COMPRESSOR STATION One contractor will construct the Faribault compressor Unit No. 2 project. The environmental training totals listed below reflect all training conducted for the compressor station project. The training was conducted for Northern employees, survey crew members, third-party inspectors and contractor personnel in preparation for the start of construction. On-site Contractor: Michels Corporation Overall Construction Start Date: 3/13/17 Environmental Training Conducted: This reporting period: 5 Total to date: 204 Faribault Compressor Unit No. 2 Install an additional natural-gas-driven 15,900-hp Solar Mars turbine unit (Unit No. 2) at the Faribault compressor station located in Rice County, Minnesota. Construction Status

• Civil: The contractor completed installation of the compressor building trench grating. Grouting of trench grating supports is complete. The contractor continued cleaning and finished rub on concrete foundations. The compressor building doorway exterior platform steps and crossover steps on the suction and discharge lines were installed. Compressor building piping penetration flashing is complete. Final grading, base stabilization geo-grid installation, and spreading gravel throughout the station is complete.

• Electrical: The contractor installed three exit/emergency lights in the control building. The gas flow meter was installed in the compressor building for the fuel gas skid to the generator and terminated. Three light poles, five exterior wall pack light fixtures, and four exterior door lights fixtures on the compressor building were installed. The contractor mounted and terminated four emergency light fixtures in the compressor building near the man door exits.

• Mechanical: The contractor continued installing tubing and instruments in the compressor building. Installation of fiberglass reinforcement plastic pads on building penetrations and smaller pipe supports continued. Insulation was installed for the 36-inch-diameter piping above-grade crossover at the two E-discharge intersections. Installation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, gas detector, and the lube oil cooler vent back tubing continued. Pipe supports were installed under the 4-inch-diameter fuel gas piping to the generator. Sandblasting and painting the station scrubber and above ground piping commenced. Tarps were used to capture all sandblast media and painting drips for proper disposal.


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• Environmental: The contractor continued to haul out construction material and equipment. Hydro-seeding around the gas coolers and the northeast workspace area, north of the generator and south of the station access road, and inside the station with the landowners recommended seed is complete. Sediment control devices inside and outside the compressor station that were no longer necessary were removed.

Construction Modifications No construction modifications occurred during this reporting period. Stream Crossings and Environmentally Sensitive Areas No stream crossings were conducted and no construction occurred within other environmentally sensitive areas during this reporting period. Rain Events One rain event in excess of 0.50 inch occurred during this reporting period; September 19, 2017, the project received 1.4 inches of rain. The weekly and rain event storm water inspections found the project to be in full environmental compliance. To date, the project has received 26.51 inches of rain.

Faribault Compressor Unit No. 2 Construction Progress Activity Start Date Completed Notes

Site Preparation 3/13/17 100% Civil 3/23/17 90% Structural 4/28/17 95% Mechanical 5/26/17 95% Compressor Building Piping

4/17/17 95%

Mainline Tie-Ins Hydrostatic Testing

6/12/17 100%

Electrical 4/17/17 98% Instrumentation 8/7/17 90% Commissioning 8/14/17 50% Clean-Up and Restoration

9/7/17 30%

*Completed totals include either percentage completed or date all completed. All totals are approximate. Two-Week Projection

1. Continue piping trim out, instrumentation, and tubing installation. 2. Continue station commissioning. 3. Commence above ground piping touch-up and finish painting. 4. Commence site cleanup and restoration. 5. Commence final grading and seeding. 6. Continue piping sound attenuation insulation.

PROJECT-WIDE SPILL TOTALS All project derived waste will be properly managed and every effort will be made to eliminate spills. Michels has arrangements with OSI Environmental in Anoka, Minnesota, to dispose of all waste generated on-site. There were no spills during this reporting period.

This reporting period: 0 Quantity: 0.00 gallons


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Total to date: 6 Total quantity: 1.81 gallons

Spill No. Date Segment Volume Notes

1 4/28/2017

Compressor Station 0.78 gallon

Hydraulic fluid leak from power-take-off unit on truck delivering water

2 5/5/2017 Compressor Station 0.23 gallon Hydraulic hose leak on truck delivering a Conex box

3 6/2/17 Princeton Loop 0.002 gallon Oil leak from a hydro-vacuum motor

4 6/6/17 Princeton Loop 0.72 gallon Hydraulic fluid leak from belly pan of a track hoe

5 6/27/17 Compressor Station 0.016 gallon Hydraulic hose failure to the vacuum boom control

6 8/14/17 Compressor Station 0.05 gallon Residual lube oil flush in a 4-inch jumper hose

*The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) will be notified of all spills that result in a “hazardous condition” as defined by the MDNR.

PROJECT-WIDE AGENCY COMMUNICATIONS Communication: Mr. Tim Marion, Cambridge Area Wildlife Manager, Fish and Wildlife for the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Cambridge, MN. The DNR is a property owner on the St. Cloud project from MP 0.3 to 0.7. Mr. Marion inspected the park area after seeding and mulching was completed. Mr. Marion stated that he was happy with the project seeding and erosion blanket installations. Mr. Mao Lin of TetraTech conducted a compliance inspection at the Faribault compressor station and the St. Cloud Loop project September 26, 2017, on behalf of the FERC. No other agency communications occurred during this reporting period. Permit Approvals No permit approvals were received during this reporting period PROJECT-WIDE LANDOWNER CONCERNS No landowner issues occurred during this reporting period.

Landowner: Date: Segment: Tract: Location: Problem/Concern: Resolution:

PROJECT-WIDE NON-COMPLIANCE CONCERNS No project-wide non-compliance concerns occurred during this reporting period.


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St. Cloud Loop Photos

Mat bridge removal over creek at MP 0.5

Erosion blanket installation at MP 0.5 following seeding the creek banks


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Looking east, the creek was seeded and protected with blanket

Seeding and erosion blanket installation near MP 1.7


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Tie-in at MP 1.7 between the Rum River bore and the bore between MP 0.7 and 1.7

Timber mats and sound suppression walls were hauled away from MP 1.7


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Subsoil returned to original line and grade at MP 1.7

Looking east, topsoil returned to original line and grade north of driveway at MP 2.8


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Princeton Loop Photos

Facing south, vegetation is growing well near MP 0.21

Facing east, the landowner of the north staging area tilled their field


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Facing west, vegetation in the road ditch near MP 2.0 is growing well

Compressor Station Photos

Facing northwest, east of Unit #1, insulating 36-inch-diameter suction line


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Facing northwest, east of Unit #2, tarps used to capture sandblast media and paint drips

Facing northeast, east of gas coolers, hydro-seeded with landowner seed recommendation


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Facing west, from station access road, hydro-seeded with landowner seed

recommendation

Facing west, east of compressor building, final grading and rock


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Facing east, east of compressor building, final grading and rock

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