Notice2022-13638
Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Index 130 MS River Replacement Project
Primary source
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Published
June 27, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 122 (Monday, June 27, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38145-38146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13638]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP22-161-000]
Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Index 130 MS River
Replacement Project
On April 8, 2022, Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC (Gulf South)
filed an application in Docket No. CP22-161-000 requesting a
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Sections
7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to replace its existing natural
gas pipeline facilities under the Mississippi River. The proposed
project is known as the Index 130 MS River Replacement Project
(Project) and would involve the replacement of Gulf South's existing
pipelines in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The purpose of the Project is
to accommodate the Mississippi River Ship Channel Deepening Project,
planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
On April 25, 2022, the Commission issued its Notice of Application
for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted agencies
issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all
necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on a request for a
federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the
Commission staff's environmental document for the Project.
This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
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\1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--September 26, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--December 27, 2022
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\2\ 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, additional notice will be
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the
Project's progress.
Project Description
To accommodate the Mississippi River Ship Channel Deepening
Project, Gulf South proposes to replace via horizontal directional
drill its Mississippi River Crossing, consisting of three 20-inch-
diameter pipelines with approximately 5,750 feet of two 30-inch-
diameter pipelines under the Mississippi River and install auxiliary
and appurtenant equipment. Gulf South requests authorization to abandon
three segments of the 20-inch-diameter Mississippi River Crossing
pipeline by removal (combined total of approx. 9,455 feet) and the
remaining pipeline in place (combined total of approx. 7,380 feet).
Gulf South also proposes to reconfigure its existing mainline valve
yards on the west and east banks of the Mississippi River--the Modeste
Valve Site and Sugar Bowl Pig Trap/Valve Site, respectively. Where Gulf
South's Index 804 connects to the Index 130 and Index 130L, the
proposed reconfiguration will require expanding Index 804 by
approximately 730 feet of 6-inch-diameter pipeline to the new tie-in
location, and Gulf South proposes to remove the existing Sugar Bowl Pig
Trap/Valve site.
Background
On May 18, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Index 130
MS River Replacement Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping
was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local
[[Page 38146]]
government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public
interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and
local libraries and newspapers. In response to the Notice of Scoping,
the Commission received a comment from the Louisiana Department of
Transportation and Development, noting that Gulf South is responsible
for obtaining all local, state, or federal permits required for the
Project. The Commission also received comments from IMTT-Geismar, a
landowner affected by the existing Gulf South facilities and the
proposed Project. IMTT-Geismar states concern that the proposed Project
will impact the landowner's current facilities and certain ongoing
construction expansion plans. Comments were also filed by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, providing suggestions on Commission
staff's analysis of the Project's purpose and need, environmental
justice, climate change, greenhouse gases, wetlands, and air quality.
Any substantive comment filed in response to the Notice of Scoping
will be addressed in the EA.
Additional Information
In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to
keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.
Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the
FERC website (<a href="http://www.ferc.gov">www.ferc.gov</a>). Using the ``eLibrary'' link, select
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP22-161), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to
eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-
8659, or at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2a6c6f786965444643444f795f5a5a45585e6a4c4f5849044d455c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a7e1e2f5e4e8c9cbcec9c2f4d2d7d7c8d5d3e7c1c2d5c489c0c8d1">[email protected]</span></a>. The eLibrary link on the FERC
website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by
the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.
Dated: June 21, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-13638 Filed 6-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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