Notice2022-06018
Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Venice Extension Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, Notice of Public Scoping Session, and Schedule for Environmental Review
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Published
March 22, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16173-16176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06018]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-15-000]
Texas Eastern Transmission, LP; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Venice Extension
Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, Notice of Public
Scoping Session, 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 Venice Extension Project
(Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by Texas
Eastern Transmission, LP (Texas Eastern) in Pointe Coupee, Iberville,
Lafourche, and Plaquemines Parishes, Louisiana. The Commission will use
this EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether the
Project is 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.
This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the Project. 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 from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and the EIS section of 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 April 15, 2022. Comments may be submitted in
written or oral form. Further details on how to submit comments are
provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
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 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.
Texas Eastern 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 four 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#5d1b382f3e1233313433380e282d2d322f291d3b382f3e733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="22644750416d4c4e4b4c47715752524d505662444750410c454d54">[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'';
(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-
15-000) 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
[[Page 16174]]
Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland
20852; or
(4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you
to attend one of the virtual public scoping sessions its staff will
conduct by telephone, scheduled as follows:
Date and Time
Tuesday, March 29, 2022, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (EST), Call in number:
800-779-8625, Participant code: 3472916
Wednesday, March 30, 2022, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. (EST), Call in number:
800-779-8625, Participant code: 3472916
The primary goal of these scoping sessions is to have you identify
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be
considered in the environmental document. Individual oral comments will
be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter present on the
line. This format is designed to receive the maximum amount of oral
comments, in a convenient way during the timeframe allotted, and is in
response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
There will not be a formal presentation by Commission staff when
the session opens. Each scoping session is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to
7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. You may call at any time after 5:00 p.m. at
which time you will be placed on mute and hold. Calls will be answered
in the order they are received. Once answered, you will have the
opportunity to provide your comment directly to a court reporter with
FERC staff or representative present on the line. A time limit of three
minutes will be implemented for each commentor.
Transcripts of all comments received during the scoping sessions
will be publicly available on FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page
of this notice for instructions on using eLibrary).
It is important to note that the Commission provides equal
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form
or provided orally at a virtual scoping session.
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
Texas Eastern proposes to (i) construct, install, own, operate and
maintain an approximately 3.0-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter pipeline
segment on its Line 40 in Pointe Coupee Parish; (ii) abandon in place a
2.2-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter existing pipeline segment on Line 40 in
Pointe Coupee Parish; (iii) construct a new 31,900 horsepower (hp)
compressor station and metering and regulating facilities in Pointe
Coupee Parish; (iv) abandon in place the existing, inactive 19,800 hp
compressor unit at its White Castle Compressor Station in Iberville
Parish, and the existing, inactive 19,800 hp compressor unit at its
Larose Compressor Station in Lafourche Parish; (v) install one new
31,900 hp compressor unit and related appurtenances at both the White
Castle and Larose Compressor Stations; and (vi) upgrade a metering and
regulating facility on a platform in Plaquemines Parish.
The Project would reverse natural gas flow on a portion of Texas
Eastern's Line 40 to provide firm natural gas transportation service
for up to 1,260,000 dekatherms per day on its existing Line 40 to an
interconnection with a proposed pipeline lateral, owned and operated by
Venture Global Gator Express, LLC, with ultimate delivery to Venture
Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC's liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.
Texas Eastern states that the Project is needed to provide the
necessary natural gas pipeline infrastructure to ensure the firm
transportation of natural gas to the Plaquemines LNG terminal that
Venture Global Gator Express, LLC is seeking.
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="f7b1b2a5b4b8999b9e9992a4828787988583b791928594d9909881">[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 Texas Eastern,
construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 285.5 acres
of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. Following
construction, Texas Eastern would maintain about 42.2 acres for
operation of the Project facilities; the remaining acreage would be
restored and revert to former uses. About 56 percent of the proposed
pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-
way.
Based on an initial review of Texas Eastern's proposal, Commission
staff have identified several expected impacts that deserve attention
in the EIS. The majority of the Project impacts would be within
waterbodies (with approximately 169.4 acres of potential impacts within
these systems), resulting in further impacts on fisheries and essential
fish habitat. Further, Project construction would impact about 28.6
acres of forested land/wildlife habitat and require 13.6 acres for
operation; multiple residences would be in close proximity to the
abandonment of the existing pipeline segment; and the Project would
increase air emissions.
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> 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. 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
\2\ 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\ 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.\3\ Alternatives currently under consideration include:
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\3\ 40 CFR 1508.1(z).
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[[Page 16175]]
<bullet> The no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not
implemented;
<bullet> system alternatives, meaning using existing facilities to
meet the needs of the Project;
<bullet> pipeline route alternatives, meaning using alternate
pipeline routes that may avoid impacting specific resources or
residences; and
<bullet> compression drive alternatives, meaning using different
equipment to power the compressors, such as electric-driven units.
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 is using this notice to initiate
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s),
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.\4\ 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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\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 November 24, 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 August 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--February 17, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \5\--May 18, 2023
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\5\ 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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U.S. Army Corps of Engineers........... Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service......... Consultation under Section 7 of
the Endangered Species Act
(ESA); Migratory Bird Treaty
Act; Bald and Golden Eagle
Protection Act; and Wildlife
Coordination Act.
U.S. Department of Commerce; National Section 7 of the ESA; Marine
Oceanic and Atmospheric Mammal Protection Act; Section
Administration, National Marine 305 of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fisheries Service. Act.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Section 401 of the Clean Water
Quality (LDEQ). Act, Water Quality
Certification.
Louisiana Division of Historic Section 106 of the National
Preservation. Historic Preservation Act.
Louisiana Department of Natural Coastal Use Permit; Coastal
Resources, Office of Coastal Zone Consistency Review. JPA
Management. filed with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers--New Orleans
District.
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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; environmental and public
interest groups; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties.
This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in 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#9bdcfae8cbe9f4f1fef8efdaffffe9fee8e8d8f3faf5fcfedbfdfee9f8b5fcf4ed"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5e193f2d0e2c31343b3d2a1f3a3a2c3b2d2d1d363f30393b1e383b2c3d70393128">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP22-15-000 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).
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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.,
CP22-15). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#397f5c4b5a76575550575c6a4c4949564b4d795f5c4b5a175e564f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c781a2b5a488a9abaea9a294b2b7b7a8b5b387a1a2b5a4e9a0a8b1">[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: March 16, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-06018 Filed 3-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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