Notice2024-27474
Texas Connector Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Texas Connector Amendment Project
Primary source
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Published
November 25, 2024
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 227 (Monday, November 25, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 92921-92923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27474]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP24-512-000]
Texas Connector Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Texas
Connector Amendment Project
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document, that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the Texas Connector Amendment Project
(Amendment Project) involving construction and operation of facilities
by Texas Connector Pipeline LLC (Texas Connector), in Jefferson and
Orange Counties, Texas. The Commission will use this environmental
document in its decision-making process to determine whether the
Project is in the public convenience and necessity.
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 an authorizing Order. 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 Environmental
Document section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 18, 2024. Comments may be
submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments
are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission
staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the
environmental document.
If you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on August 12, 2024, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. CP24-512-000 to ensure they are considered
as part of this proceeding.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this Project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this
[[Page 92922]]
proposed Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of
concern.
Public Participation
There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. 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#5a1c3f283915343633343f092f2a2a35282e1a3c3f2839743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d99fbcabba96b7b5b0b7bc8aaca9a9b6abad99bfbcabbaf7beb6af">[email protected]</span></a>.
(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 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 (CP24-
512-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC
20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and
submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These
instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification
and provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of
time you spend researching proceedings. Go to <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview">https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview</a> to register for eSubscription.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners,
environmental justice communities, Tribal members and others, access
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e011e1e0e282b3c2d60292138"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f4bba4a4b492918697da939b82">[email protected]</span></a>.
Summary of the Proposed Project
On November 29, 2016, Port Arthur Pipeline, LLC (PAPL) filed an
application with FERC for the Texas Connector Project in Docket No.
CP17-21-000. In January 2019, FERC issued a final Environmental Impact
Statement (EIS) that analyzed the Texas Connector Project, together
with the Port Arthur Liquefaction Project (Docket No. CP17-20-000), and
the Louisiana Connector Project (Docket No. CP18-7-000). The Commission
issued an Order authorizing those combined projects on April 18, 2019.
In May 2023, in Docket No. CP17-21-003 et al., the Commission issued an
Order, authorizing among other things, the abandonment by transfer of
the certificated Texas Connector Project from PAPL to Texas Connector.
Texas Connector further evaluated the Project and proposes
modifications as part the Amendment Project.
The Amendment Project includes the following modifications to the
previously authorized project.
<bullet> The Southern Compressor Station would not be constructed,
and the original site of the Southern Compressor Station would be
utilized for a laydown yard and access road.
<bullet> The southern pipeline segment (Southern Segment) would
decrease in length from 7.6 miles to 1.4 miles.
<bullet> Compression at the Northern Compressor Station (renamed
Orangefield Compressor Station) would increase from three natural gas-
driven turbine compressors rated at 16,684 hp each, to four SolarTitan
130 Gas Turbine driven compressors rated at approximately 24,009 hp
each.
<bullet> The footprint and configuration of the Orangefield
Compressor Station would shift slightly north and west and increase in
size from 40 acres to 82.4 acres.
<bullet> The northern pipeline segment (Northern Segment) would
increase in length from 26.6 miles to 29.6 miles and include several
modifications to the alignment and workspace to accommodate landowner
requests and development within the previously authorized right-of-way.
<bullet> Texas Connector proposes to use about 16,320 feet of the
Big Hill Bayou south of Taylor Bayou and South Mansfield Ferry Road
Canal as a water access routes. Big Hill Bayou would require dredging
to facilitate vessel transit.
<bullet> The KMPL Meter Station would not be constructed.
The general location of the Project facilities and maps showing the
modifications associated with the Amendment Project are included 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. For
assistance, contact FERC at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection" class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9cdad9cedfd3f2f0f5f2f9cfe9ececf3eee8dcfaf9eeffb2fbf3ea">[email protected]</a> or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Land Requirements for Construction
The modifications associated with the Amendment Project would
result in additional impact footprint of 95.6 acres of land; including
the pipelines; aboveground facilities; additional temporary workspaces;
contractor staging and pipe storage yards/spoil storage areas; and new
or improved access roads. Additionally, the Amendment Project's
proposed water access routes encompass about 94.4 acres. The
modifications associated with the Amendment Project would result in an
additional 94.8 acres of permanent impact for operation of the overall
Texas Connector Project.
NEPA Process and the Environmental Document
Any environmental document issued by the Commission would 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, soils, and sediments;
<bullet> water resources and wetlands;
<bullet> vegetation and wildlife;
<bullet> threatened and endangered species;
<bullet> cultural resources;
<bullet> land use;
<bullet> environmental justice;
<bullet> air quality and noise; and
<bullet> reliability and safety.
Commission staff would also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine
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whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission
staff's independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff
prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an
Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed
Project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued, which will open up an
additional comment period. Staff will then 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 EA
or 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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With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues of this Project to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the environmental document.\3\ 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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\3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at 40 CFR 1501.8.
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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 project's potential
effects on historic properties.\4\ The environmental document for this
Project 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 36 CFR 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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Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list Federal, State, and local government
representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and
public interest groups; 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 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.
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#672006143715080d02041326030315021414240f06090002270102150449000811"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="581f392b082a37323d3b2c193c3c2a3d2b2b1b3039363f3d183e3d2a3b763f372e">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP24-93-000 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. Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86c0e3f4e5c9e8eaefe8e3d5f3f6f6e9f4f2c6e0e3f4e5a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4b0d2e392804252722252e183e3b3b24393f0b2d2e3928652c243d">[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 18, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-27474 Filed 11-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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