Notice2023-05789
Saguaro Connector Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Border Facilities Project
Primary source
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Published
March 22, 2023
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17208-17209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05789]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP23-29-000]
Saguaro Connector Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Border Facilities
Project
On December 20, 2022, Saguaro Connector Pipeline, L.L.C. (Saguaro)
filed an application in Docket No. CP23-29-000 requesting an
Authorization pursuant to Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act to construct
and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed
project is known as the Border Facilities Project (Project), and would
serve as an interconnection to export natural gas produced in Texas
across the United States-Mexico International Boundary in Hudspeth
County, Texas. The design capacity of the border crossing is 2.834
billion standard cubic feet per day.
On January 5, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(Commission or FERC) 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 August 25, 2023
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ November 23, 2023
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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
[[Page 17209]]
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the
Project's progress.
Project Description
Saguaro proposes to site, construct, connect, operate, and maintain
a 48-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline from the United States (U.S.)
to the Mexico International Border in Hudspeth County, Texas. The
pipeline would extend from State of Texas land to the U.S.-Mexico
international border in the middle of the Rio Grande River. The Project
would consist of the installation of approximately 1,000 feet of 48-
inch-diameter pipeline, establishment of a 50-foot-width permanent
right-of-way, and use of approximately 14.2 acres as temporary
workspaces and 6.9 miles of temporary access road.
Background
On February 3, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed
Borders Facilities Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping
was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local 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 several comments. The primary issues raised by the commenters
are environmental justice, cultural resources, and pipeline safety. The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided recommendations to
FERC regarding air quality, water quality, hazardous waste, and
environmental justice. EPA's recommendations for these resources
included comments regarding cumulative impacts for the non-
jurisdictional pipeline connected to the Project and consultation with
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding Clean Water Act Section 404
waters. All substantive comments 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.,
CP23-29), 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#50161502131f3e3c393e35032520203f222410363522337e373f26"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c3858691808cadafaaada690b6b3b3acb1b783a5a6b1a0eda4acb5">[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: March 15, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-05789 Filed 3-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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