Environmental Compliance Monitoring Program Report for Cumberland Project

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Environmental Compliance Monitoring Program recently released a report for the Cumberland Project, which spans August 10 through August 16, 2025. The report provides an update on the project's environmental compliance and performance during this period. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC (TGP) agreed to fund an Environmental Compliance Monitoring Program as part of its application for the Cumberland Project. The Compliance Monitor (CM) was responsible for conducting daily reviews of TGP's construction activities and documenting compliance with the FERC Certificate. The CM issued 12 Daily Monitoring Reports, with 10 Acceptable Reports and 2 Communication Reports.

Key Takeaways:

  • TGP's construction activities were reviewed daily by the CM, with a total of 12 Daily Monitoring Reports issued during the reporting period.
  • 10 of the reports were Acceptable, indicating compliance with the project's environmental requirements, while 2 reports were Communication Reports.
  • No Problem Area Reports or Noncompliance Reports were issued by the CM during this period.
  • The CM inspected various activities in progress along the Cumberland Project, including HDD crews drilling the pilot hole for SDKA048, grading crews continuing work, and road bore crews completing the bore under Butcher Ridge Road.
  • The contractor completed pipe storage at Contractor Yard 1 and operation and maintenance continued at Contractor Yard 2.
  • One communication report was issued by the CM, documenting a meeting between the Compliance Manager and the Lead Environmental Inspector regarding disposal facilities for drilling waste.
  • The FERC Environmental Project Manager and FERC Staff Archaeologist visited the site to conduct a project-wide review with the Compliance Manager and Tennessee Gas Pipiline representatives.
  • No variance requests were approved during this reporting period.

Statistics:

  • 12 Daily Monitoring Reports were issued by the CM during the reporting period.
  • 10 of the reports were Acceptable, while 2 reports were Communication Reports.
  • No Problem Area Reports, Noncompliance Reports, or variance requests were issued by the CM during this period.
  • A total of 2 Communication Reports were issued by the CM, one of which documented a meeting regarding disposal facilities for drilling waste.
  • The Compliance Monitor inspected various activities in progress, including HDD crews drilling the pilot hole for SDKA048 and grading crews continuing work.

Sources:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2025, August 21). Environmental Compliance Monitoring Program August 10 Through August 16, 2025 Summary Report. Document Accession #: 20250821-3030 Filed Date: 08/21/2025 Cumberland Project, Docket No.: CP22-493-000.
  • Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC. (2024, January 18). Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the Cumberland Project. Docket No.: CP22-493-000.