Notice2021-24661
Golden Pass Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed MP66-69 Compression Relocation and Modification Amendment and the Proposed MP33 Compressor Station Modification Amendment and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
Primary source
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Published
November 12, 2021
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 216 (Friday, November 12, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 216 (Friday, November 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62801-62804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24661]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket Nos. CP21-1-000, CP21-458-000]
Golden Pass Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed MP66-69 Compression
Relocation and Modification Amendment and the Proposed MP33 Compressor
Station Modification Amendment and Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss the environmental impacts of the proposed MP66-69
Compression Relocation and Modification Amendment and the proposed MP33
Compressor Station Modification Amendment (Amendments), involving
construction and operation of facilities by Golden Pass Pipeline
Company, LLC (Golden Pass) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana and Orange
County, Texas. The original Golden Pass LNG Export Project and
Expansion Pipeline Project were reviewed in the 2016 Final
Environmental Impact Statement issued in Docket No. CP14-517-000 and
CP14-518-000 for the Golden Pass LNG Export Project (2016 FEIS), and
the Order Granting Authorizations Under Sections 3 and 7 of the Natural
Gas Act was issued on December 21, 2016. The Commission will use this
EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether the Amendments
are in the public convenience and necessity. The schedule for
preparation of the EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental
Review section of this notice.
As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review
process, the Commission takes into account concerns the public may have
about proposals and the environmental impacts that could result
whenever it considers the issuance of an authorization. This gathering
of public input is referred to as ``scoping;'' and staff intends to
prepare an EIS that will address the concerns received in response to
this notice based on Golden Pass's Amendments. The EIS will tier off
Commission staff's EIS and its findings and conclusions for the Golden
Pass LNG Export Project and Expansion Pipeline Project approved in the
December 21, 2016 Order.\1\ Therefore, the Commission requests comments
on potential alternatives and impacts regarding the Amendments, and any
relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning
impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. To ensure that
your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your
comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 6, 2021. Further details on
how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section
of this notice.
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\1\ The EIS for the Golden Pass LNG Export Project and Expansion
Pipeline Project were filed in Docket Nos. CP14-517-000, CP14-518-
000 under Accession No. 20160729-4002.
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Golden Pass provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the
FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do
I Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including
how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet
along with other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing
on the FERC website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>) under the Natural Gas Questions or
Landowner Topics link.
Public Participation
There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and
has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#98defdeafbd7f6f4f1f6fdcbede8e8f7eaecd8fefdeafbb6fff7ee"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="763013041539181a1f181325030606190402361013041558111900">[email protected]</span></a>. Please carefully follow these instructions
so that your comments are properly recorded.
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is also on the Commission's website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>) under
the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments in a
variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your submission.
New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking on
``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you are
making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment on
a Filing''; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the Project docket numbers (CP21-
1-000; CP21-458-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S.
Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A,
Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be
addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings
made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the
documents. Go to <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview">https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview</a> to register
for eSubscription.
Summary of the Proposed Amendments
Golden Pass proposes to relocate, modify, and eliminate certain
pipeline facilities previously approved by the Commission, but not yet
constructed, as part of the Pipeline Expansion Project
[[Page 62802]]
(Docket No. CP14-518-000). According to Golden Pass, the MP66-69
Compression Relocation and Modification Amendment and the MP33
Compressor Station Modification Amendment are required due to are
required due to new supply arrangements and the resulting engineering
design, including pipeline hydraulics and delivery pressure
requirements.
The MP66-69 Compression Relocation and Modification Amendment would
consist of the following facilities in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
(CP21-1-000):
<bullet> Relocating the approved compressor station at Milepost
(MP) 66 approximately 3 miles, to MP 69, and increase the amount of
compression at the relocated facility;
<bullet> adding a meter station near MP 69 to support a new
interconnection (Gulf Run Interconnection and Meter Station) with a
proposed interstate pipeline to be constructed an operated by Enable
Gulf Run Transmission, LLC;
<bullet> removing any bi-directional piping modification to the
interconnect; and
<bullet> minor modifications to existing interconnects at MP 66 and
MP 68 (Transco Interconnection).
The MP33 Compressor Station Modification Amendment would consist of
the following facilities in Orange County, Texas (CP21-458-000):
<bullet> Relocating the MP33 Compressor Station approximately 50
feet north-northwest to avoid an existing pipeline right-of-way;
<bullet> increasing the authorized compression at the MP33
Compression Station from 17,994 horsepower to 37,101 horsepower;
<bullet> constructing three new interconnects and appurtenant
facilities adjacent to the MP33 Compressor Station, one interconnect
with Midcoast Pipelines L.P, and existing Texas intrastate pipeline
that will expand its system to deliver gas on Golden Pass's system, and
two interconnects with Golden Triangle Storage, Inc., a jurisdiction
provider, that would enable deliveries from and receipts into Golden
Pass's system; and
<bullet> eliminating receipt stations at the existing Texoma
delivery interconnect on Golden Pass's existing system.
Based on the environmental information provided by Golden Pass,
construction of the proposed facilities in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana
would disturb about 44 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and
the pipeline. Following construction, Golden Pass would maintain about
35 acres for operation of the Amendment facilities; the remaining
acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. All of the land on
which the proposed MP33 Compressor Station modification would be
located in Orange County, Texas is owned by Golden Pass. Accordingly,
construction of the MP33 Compression Station would not adversely affect
landowners.
In reviewing the Golden Pass' MP66-69 Compression Relocation and
Modification Amendment proposal in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, no
surface waterbodies are in the Amendment footprint, and the proposed
amendment would actually reduce impacts on wetlands compared to the
2016 FEIS. Commission staff have identified several expected impacts
that deserve attention in the EIS.
The general location of the Amendments is shown in appendix 1.\2\
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\2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a> using the link called ``eLibrary''. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact
FERC at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de989b8c9d91b0b2b7b0bb8dabaeaeb1acaa9eb8bbacbdf0b9b1a8">[email protected]</a> or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Based on the previous pre-filing review and a review of Golden
Pass' filings, Commission staff have identified increased greenhouse
gas emissions as an expected impact that deserves attention in the EIS.
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could
occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed
Amendments under the relevant general resource areas:
<bullet> Geology and soils;
<bullet> water resources and wetlands;
<bullet> vegetation and wildlife;
<bullet> threatened and endangered species;
<bullet> cultural resources;
<bullet> land use;
<bullet> socioeconomics and environmental justice;
<bullet> air quality and noise;
<bullet> public safety; and
<bullet> cumulative impacts.
Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help
Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a
significant effect on the human environment.
The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the
issues. Staff will prepare a draft EIS which will be issued for public
comment. Commission staff will consider all timely comments received
during the comment period on the draft EIS and revise the document, as
necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any draft and final EIS will be
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary
\3\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page
(<a href="https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents">https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents</a>). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant
email notification when the environmental document is issued.
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\3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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Alternatives Under Consideration
The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically
and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the
proposed actions. Alternatives currently under consideration include:
<bullet> The no-action alternative, meaning the Amendments are not
implemented and the authorized Golden Pass Pipeline Expansion Project
would remain as certificated.
With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action
or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on
reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites and
pipeline routes) that meet the Amendments purpose, are technically and
economically feasible, and avoid or lessen environmental impact.
Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act
In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s),
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the Amendments' potential
effects on historic properties.\4\ The environmental document for these
Amendments will document findings on the impacts on historic properties
and summarize the
[[Page 62803]]
status of consultations under section 106.
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\4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
On October 19, 2020 and June 23, 2021, the Commission issued its
Notice of Application for the Amendments. Among other things, the
notices alerted other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the
requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final
decision on the request for a federal authorization within 90 days of
the date of issuance of the Commission staff's final EIS for the
Amendments. This notice identifies the Commission staff's planned
schedule for completion of the final EIS for the Project, which is
based on an issuance of the draft EIS in February 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--June 24, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--September 22, 2022
If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are
kept informed of the Amendments' progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations
for the Amendments required under federal law. This list may not be
all-inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it
is not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special
expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's
EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy their NEPA responsibilities
related to these Amendments. Agencies that would like to request
cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing
comments provided under the Public Participation section of this
notice.
Environmental Permits, Approvals, Clearances, and Consultations
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Permit, Approval, or
Agency Consultation
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FEDERAL
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission... Natural Gas Act Section 7.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Clean Water Act Section 404
New Orleans, Louisiana District. Permit.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service........... Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act, Migratory Bird
Treaty Act, Bald and Golden
Eagle Protection Act.
U.S. Department of Transportation...... Pre-construction Notice.
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STATE of LOUISIANA
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Louisiana Department of Natural Coastal Use Permit Coastal Zone
Resources Office of Coastal Management. Management Act Consistency
Determination.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Minor New Source Review (NSR)
Quality (LDEQ)--Air Quality Division. permit for MP 69 Compressor
Station.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Section 401 Clean Water Act
Quality--Water Quality Division. Water Quality Certification.
Louisiana Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System General
Permit LAG670000--Hydrostatic
Test Water Discharge Permit.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Threatened and Endangered
Fisheries. Species Consultation.
Louisiana Department of Culture Section 106 National Historic
Recreation and Tourism/State Historic Preservation Act Consultation.
Preservation Officer.
Louisiana Department of Transportation Review of road easements,
and Development. modifications to state
highways, traffic safety.
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STATE of TEXAS
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EPA, Region VI......................... Issuance of National Pollutant
Discharge Elimination System
permits: <bullet> Industrial
Stormwater Permit <bullet>
Process Waste Water Discharge
Permit <bullet> Stormwater
Construction General Permit
(Notification).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service......... Consultation for Federally
protected threatened and
endangered species.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit for impacts
(``USACE''), Galveston, TX District. on waters of the U.S.,
including wetlands.
Texas Commission on Environmental Minor New Source Review (NSR)
Quality. Permit.
Texas Historical Commission State Section 106 National Historic
Historic Preservation Office. Preservation Act Consultation.
Railroad Commission of Texas and Texas Texas Natural Resource Code
General Land office. Section 91.101 and Texas Water
Code Section 26.131 Water
Quality Certification.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.... Threatened and Endangered
Species Consultation.
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Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the Amendments which includes federal, state, and
local government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; federally recognized Indian
tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers.
This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the
Commission's regulations) who own homes within certain distances of
aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on the
Amendments and includes a mailing address with their comments.
Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the
analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this
environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the
proposed Amendments. State and local government representatives should
notify their constituents of this proposed Amendments and encourage
[[Page 62804]]
them to comment on their areas of concern.
If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
(1) Send an email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#90d7f1e3c0e2fffaf5f3e4d1f4f4e2f5e3e3d3f8f1fef7f5d0f6f5e2f3bef7ffe6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bff8deccefcdd0d5dadccbfedbdbcddaccccfcd7ded1d8daffd9dacddc91d8d0c9">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP21-1-000 or CP21-458-000
in your request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please
be sure to include your name and the correct address. If you are
requesting to delete your address from the mailing list, please include
your name and address as it appeared on this notice. This email address
is unable to accept comments.
OR
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).
Additional Information
Additional information about the Amendments is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website at <a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a> using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number
in the ``Docket Number'' field (i.e., CP21-1, CP21-458). Be sure you
have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact
FERC Online Support at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3f795a4d5c70515356515a6c4a4f4f504d4b7f595a4d5c11585049"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="672102150428090b0e090234121717081513270102150449000811">[email protected]</span></a> or (866) 208-3676, or
for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access
to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as
orders, notices, and rulemakings.
Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events">https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events</a> along with
other related information.
Dated: November 5, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-24661 Filed 11-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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