Notice2022-03214
Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC; Venture Global CP Express, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed CP2 LNG and CP Express Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
Primary source
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Published
February 15, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8580-8583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-03214]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-21-000; Docket No. CP22-22-000]
Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC; Venture Global CP Express, LLC;
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the
Proposed CP2 LNG and CP Express Project, Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
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 CP2 LNG and CP Express
Project (Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by
Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC (CP2 LNG) and Venture Global CP Express,
LLC (CP Express) in Jasper and Newton Counties, Texas and Calcasieu and
Cameron Parishes, Louisiana. The Commission will use this EIS in its
decision-making process to determine whether the Project is in the
public interest. 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.'' By notice issued on
April 27, 2021 in Docket No. PF21-1-000, the Commission opened a
scoping period during CP2 LNG and CP Express' planning process for the
Project and prior to filing a formal application with the Commission, a
process referred to as ``pre-filing.'' CP2 LNG and CP Express have now
filed an application with the Commission, and staff intends to prepare
an EIS that will address the concerns raised during the pre-filing
scoping process and comments received in response to this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document, including
comments on potential alternatives and impacts, 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 March 11, 2022. Further details on how to
submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section of
this notice.
As mentioned above, during the pre-filing process, the Commission
opened a scoping period which expired on May 27, 2021; however,
Commission staff continued to accept comments during the entire pre-
filing process. Staff also held three virtual scoping sessions to take
oral scoping comments. All substantive written and oral comments
provided during pre-filing will be addressed in the EIS. Therefore, if
you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission during the
pre-filing process in Docket No. PF21-1-000, you do not need to file
those comments again.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed pipeline facilities. The
company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement
agreement. You are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if
the Commission approves the Project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the
right of eminent domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the
company do not reach an easement agreement, the pipeline company could
initiate condemnation proceedings in court. In such instances,
compensation would be determined by a judge in accordance with state
law. The Commission does not grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise
of eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to
handle eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over
these matters.
CP2 LNG and CP Express 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 the use of eminent domain and 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#96d0f3e4f5d9f8fafff8f3c5e3e6e6f9e4e2d6f0f3e4f5b8f1f9e0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4a2819687ab8a888d8a81b79194948b9690a482819687ca838b92">[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 located 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 number (CP22-
21-000 and CP22-22-000) 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
[[Page 8581]]
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, Maryland
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 Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and
Expected Impacts
CP2 LNG plans to construct and operate a new 20 million tonnes per
annum liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Cameron Parish,
Louisiana. The liquefaction and storage facilities would be on the
mainland, while the ship loading and associated facilities would be
constructed on Monkey Island between Calcasieu Pass and the Calcasieu
Ship Channel (collectively referred to as the LNG terminal).
CP Express would construct and operate approximately 85 miles of
new 48-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline originating in Jasper County,
Texas and terminating at the proposed LNG terminal. In addition, a 6-
mile-long, 24-inch-diameter lateral pipeline and 187,000-horsepower
(hp) Moss Lake Compressor Station would be constructed in Calcasieu
Parish, Louisiana. The pipeline facilities would be capable of
transporting 4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day to the LNG
terminal.
CP2 LNG and CP Express would construct the Project in two phases;
Phase 1 would consist of construction of the pipelines, 69,600-hp
compression at the Moss Lake Compressor Station, the LNG terminal
marine loading berths, and about half of the LNG terminal facilities.
Phase 2 would consist of the remaining 117,400-hp compression at the
compressor station and the remaining LNG terminal facilities.
According to CP2 LNG, its Project would transport domestically
produced natural gas for liquefaction, storage, and export to overseas
markets. According to CP Express, its Project would create the firm
transportation capacity needed to transport the quantity of feed gas
required for the proposed LNG export operations from supply points to
the LNG terminal facilities.
The Project would consist of the following facilities:
<bullet> A liquefaction plant consisting of 18 liquefaction blocks
and support facilities, each with a nameplate capacity of 1.1 million
tonnes per annum;
<bullet> six pretreatment systems;
<bullet> four 200,000 cubic meter full containment LNG storage
tanks;
<bullet> carbon capture and sequestration facilities;
<bullet> a combined-cycle natural gas turbine power plant capable
of generating 1,440 megawatts;
<bullet> two LNG loading docks;
<bullet> two marine berths capable of receiving ocean-going LNG
carriers;
<bullet> two 42-inch outside diameter cryogenic LNG transfer lines,
one boil-off-gas pipeline, and one utility line connecting the marine
facilities on Monkey Island to the mainland LNG terminal site;
<bullet> one 85.4-mile-long, 48-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline;
<bullet> one 6.0-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter natural gas lateral
pipeline;
<bullet> one new 187,000-hp compressor station near Moss Lake,
Louisiana;
<bullet> five meter stations at interconnects with existing
pipelines;
<bullet> a gas gate station within the LNG terminal site; and
<bullet> other appurtenant facilities.
The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\1\
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\1\ 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="d69093849599b8babfb8b385a3a6a6b9a4a296b0b3a4b5f8b1b9a0">[email protected]</a> or call toll free, (886) 208-3676
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Based on the environmental information provided by CP2 LNG and CP
Express, construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about
737.3 acres for the LNG terminal and 1,724.3 acres of land for the
pipeline and associated aboveground facilities. Following construction,
CP2 LNG and CP Express would maintain about 645.4 acres for operation
of the LNG terminal and 606.6 acres for operation of the pipeline and
associated aboveground facilities. CP2 LNG and CP Express would restore
the remaining acreage to former uses. About 44 percent of the proposed
pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-
way.
Based on an initial review of CP2 LNG and CP Express' proposal and
public comments received during the pre-filing process, Commission
staff have identified several expected impacts that deserve attention
in the EIS. Construction and operation of the LNG terminal and marine
facilities would result in impacts on waterbodies and wetlands due to
crossings, permanent fill, and dredging, as well as impacts on visual
resources, noise and air quality. The Project pipeline and associated
aboveground facilities would result in impacts on waterbodies,
wetlands, cropland, and forested land, as well as noise and air
quality. In addition to these Project impacts, landowners along the
route may also be affected by construction and operation of other
proposed residential, road improvement, and utility projects. We have
identified five environmental justice communities that could be
affected by the Project. Individuals within these communities have been
included on the Commission's environmental mailing list for the
Project, as further explained in the Environmental Mailing List section
of this notice.
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
Project 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 populations;
<bullet> air quality and noise; and
<bullet> reliability and safety.
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. The U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of
Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and
National Marine Fisheries Service are cooperating agencies in the
preparation of the EIS.\2\ 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,
[[Page 8582]]
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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\2\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR), Section 1501.8. (2021).
\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 action.\4\ Alternatives currently under consideration include:
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\4\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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<bullet> The no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented;
<bullet> LNG terminal site alternatives;
<bullet> pipeline system alternatives;
<bullet> pipeline route alternatives; and
<bullet> compressor station aboveground facility site alternatives.
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 Project objectives, 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 initiated section 106 consultation for
the Project in the notice issued on April 27, 2021, with the applicable
State Historic Preservation Office, and other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their views and
concerns regarding the Project's potential effects on historic
properties.\5\ This notice is a continuation of section 106
consultation for the Project. The Project EIS will document findings on
the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
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\5\ 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 December 16, 2021, the Commission issued its Notice of
Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice 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 Project. 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 July 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--February 10, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \6\--May 11, 2023
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\6\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.
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 Project's progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations
for the Project 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 its NEPA responsibilities related
to this Project. 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.
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Agency Permit
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FERC................................... Section 3 of the Natural Gas
Act.
Section 7 of the Natural Gas
Act.
U.S. Department of Energy.............. Authorization to export LNG by
vessel to Free Trade Agreement
(FTA) and non-FTA nations.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers........... Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act.
Section 10 of the Rivers and
Harbors Act.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service......... Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act Consultation.
National Marine Fisheries Service...... Section 7 of the Endangered
Species Act Consultation.
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation Management Act
Consultation.
Marine Mammal Protection Act
Consultation.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Title V and Prevention of
Quality. Significant Deterioration of
the Clean Air Act.
Section 401 Water Quality
Certification.
Railroad Commission of Texas........... Section 401 Water Quality
Certification.
Louisiana Department of Natural Coastal Use Permit.
Resources.
Louisiana Department of Culture, Section 106 of the National
Recreation, and Tourism. Historic Preservation Act.
Texas Historical Commission............ Section 106 of the National
Historic Preservation Act.
Federal Aviation Administration........ Notice of Proposed Construction
or Alteration of Navigable
Airspace.
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Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the Project which includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in
[[Page 8583]]
the Commission's regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors,
whose property may be used temporarily for Project purposes, or who own
homes within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone
who submits comments on the Project 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 Project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed
project and encourage 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#c483a5b794b6abaea1a7b085a0a0b6a1b7b787aca5aaa3a184a2a1b6a7eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="763117052604191c13150237121204130505351e17181113361013041558111900">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP22-21-000 and CP22-22-000
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 Project 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, excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP22-21 and CP22-22). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#feb89b8c9db1909297909bad8b8e8e918c8abe989b8c9dd0999188"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7e381b0c1d31101217101b2d0b0e0e110c0a3e181b0c1d50191108">[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: February 9, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-03214 Filed 2-14-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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