FERC and FRA Open Comment Periods on Pipeline Project, Rail Safety Waiver, and Water Power License

Pulaski Project Natural Gas Pipeline — FERC Environmental Assessment

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the Pulaski Project, proposed by Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC, in Docket No. CP26-11-000. According to the notice, Columbia Gulf requests authorization to construct, operate, and maintain the project in Lincoln and Pulaski County, Kentucky. The stated purpose of the project is to provide 260,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas transportation service to East Kentucky Power Cooperative's John S. Cooper Power Station.

The EA addresses the potential environmental effects of constructing and operating the following project facilities: 41.3 miles of new 30-inch-diameter greenfield natural gas pipeline; a tie-in to the Columbia Gulf Mainline including a new pig launcher/receiver and bidirectional pig trap; a new meter station and regulator station and tie-in to John S. Cooper Power Station with a new launcher/receiver and bidirectional pig trap; and four 30-inch new mainline valves along the proposed pipeline. The EA concludes that approval of the proposed project would not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.

FERC, as the lead federal agency for authorizing interstate natural gas transmission facilities under the Natural Gas Act of 1938 and for preparation of the EA, conducted the review in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act and the Commission's implementing regulations at 18 CFR 380. The principal purposes of the EA, as the notice states, are to identify and assess potential effects on the natural and human environment, describe and evaluate reasonable alternatives, identify and recommend mitigation measures, and facilitate public involvement. The Commission mailed notice to federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; Native American tribes; environmental and public interest groups; potentially affected landowners and other interested individuals and groups; and media outlets and libraries in the project area. The EA is available only in electronic format at FERC's website.

Norfolk Southern Rail Signal Waiver Extension — FRA Comment Period

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published notice that Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS), by letter dated May 8, 2026, petitioned FRA for an extension of a waiver of compliance from certain provisions of the federal railroad safety regulations contained at 49 CFR part 236, which governs the installation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of signal and train control systems, devices, and appliances. The relevant docket number is FRA-2010-0011.

Specifically, NS seeks an extension of relief from the 2-year periodic testing requirements in 49 CFR sections 236.377 (approach locking), 236.378 (time locking), 236.379 (route locking), 236.380 (indication locking), and 236.381 (traffic locking), as they relate to vital microprocessor-based systems. The existing relief, as the notice explains, extends the testing requirements in these sections from "at least once every 2 years" to every 4 years, after initial testing is completed. In its petition, NS stated that the waiver "supports efficient testing practices while maintaining the integrity and safety of vital signal system operations."

FRA does not anticipate scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings, the notice states, since the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. Any interested party that desires an opportunity for oral comment must notify FRA in writing before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for the request.

Consolidated Water Power Company — FERC License Amendment

FERC has also accepted for filing a notice of application for a non-capacity amendment of license from Consolidated Water Power Company, soliciting comments, motions to intervene, and protests. The matter is before the Energy Department's Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The source document did not provide additional detail beyond the filing acceptance and public solicitation.

What to Watch

• July 22, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time: Deadline for public comments to FERC on the Pulaski Project environmental assessment; the Commission states comments must be received by this time to ensure consideration prior to a decision on the project.
• August 24, 2026: Deadline for FRA to receive comments on Norfolk Southern's petition for extension of waiver of compliance; the notice states that communications received by this date will be considered before final action is taken, and those received after will be considered if practicable.

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