Notice2025-15362
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C.; Sabine Pass Liquefaction Stage V, L.L.C.; Sabine Crossing, L.L.C.; Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Sabine Pass Stage 5 Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
Primary source
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Published
August 13, 2025
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 154 (Wednesday, August 13, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 154 (Wednesday, August 13, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38971-38974]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15362]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP24-75-001; Docket No. CP25-505-000; Docket No. CP25-506-
000]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C.; Sabine Pass Liquefaction Stage
V, L.L.C.; Sabine Crossing, L.L.C.; Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline,
L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Proposed Sabine Pass Stage 5 Expansion 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 Sabine Pass Stage 5
Expansion Project, (Project) involving construction and operation of
facilities by Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C., Sabine Pass
Liquefaction Stage V, L.L.C., Sabine Crossing, L.L.C., and Cheniere
Creole Trail Pipeline, L.P. (the Applicants) in Cameron, Beauregard,
and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana; and Liberty, Jefferson, and Chambers
Counties, Texas.\1\ The Commission will use this environmental document
in its decision-making process to determine whether the planned
pipeline project is in the public convenience and necessity and if the
planned liquified natural gas facility expansion is in the public
interest. The schedule for preparation of the EIS is discussed in the
Schedule for Environmental Review section of this notice.
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\1\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EISX-019-20-000-1751972136.
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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 a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity and authorization. This gathering of public
input is referred to as ``scoping.'' By notices issued on October 6,
2023 and August 1, 2024 in Docket No. PF23-2-000, the Commission opened
scoping periods during Sabine Pass Liquefaction, L.L.C., Sabine Pass
Liquefaction Stage V, L.L.C. and Sabine Crossing, L.L.C.'s planning
process for the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Stage 5 Expansion project and
the Sabine
[[Page 38972]]
Crossing Pipeline project and prior to filing a formal application with
the Commission, a process referred to as ``pre-filing.'' The Applicants
have now filed a joint 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 September 8, 2025. Comments may be submitted
in written form. 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 scoping periods for the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Stage 5
Expansion project and the Sabine Crossing Pipeline project which
expired on November 6, 2023, and September 3, 2024 respectively;
however, Commission staff continued to accept comments during the
entire pre-filing process. Staff also held scoping sessions to take
oral scoping comments. Those sessions were held in Cameron, Louisiana
on October 24, 2023; Port Arthur, Texas on October 25, 2023; and
Winnie, Texas, on August 28, 2024. 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. PF23-2-000 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 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.
The Applicants 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, 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#55133027361a3b393c3b30062025253a272115333027367b323a23"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ebad8e9988a4858782858eb89e9b9b84999fab8d8e9988c58c849d">[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 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 numbers (CP24-
75-001, CP25-505-000, and CP25-506-000) 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. 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.
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,
community organizations, 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#79362929391f1c0b1a571e160f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d021d1d0d2b283f2e632a223b">[email protected]</span></a>.
Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and
Expected Impacts
The Applicants propose to expand the existing Sabine Pass Liquefied
Natural Gas (SPLNG) Terminal facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana;
construct and operate a new, 48-inch-diameter, 55.6-mile-long natural
gas pipeline (Sabine Crossing Pipeline) in Liberty and Jefferson
Counties, Texas, and into the SPLNG Terminal; and as part of the
existing Creole Trail Pipeline System, construct and operate the new
greenfield Tarpon Compressor Station in Cameron Parish, Louisiana,
expand the existing Gillis Compressor Station in Beauregard Parish,
Louisiana, and modify an existing delivery meter station in Cameron
Parish, Louisiana. The Sabine Crossing Pipeline would deliver up to 2.7
billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas to the SPLNG Terminal
facility. The Tarpon Compressor Station would help deliver
approximately 908 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscf/d) of
natural gas to the SPLNG Terminal facility. According to the
Applicants, the Project would expand the Applicants' liquified natural
gas (LNG) production capabilities to meet immediate and future global
demand for LNG.
The Project would consist of the following facilities:
SPLNG Terminal Expansion
<bullet> three Liquefaction Trains (Trains 7, 8 and 9) and
appurtenant facilities; Sabine Crossing Pipeline
<bullet> approximately 55.6 miles of 48-inch-diameter pipeline;
<bullet> six-meter stations along the pipeline route;
[[Page 38973]]
<bullet> the new Hamshire Compressor Station along the pipeline
route;
<bullet> four pig traps,\2\ and three mainline valves along the
pipeline route; Creole Trail Pipeline System
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\2\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline,
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes. A pig trap is an
ancillary item of pipeline equipment, with associated pipework and
valves, for introducing a pig into a pipeline or removing a pig from
a pipeline.
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<bullet> two 23,470-horsepower compressor packages and appurtenant
facilities at the Gillis Compressor Station;
<bullet> one 52,500-horsepower modular compressor package and
appurtenant facilities at the new Tarpon Compressor Station; and
<bullet> one new 16-inch-diameter meter and flow control run, and
one new filter within an existing meter station.
The general location of the Project facilities is shown in appendix
1.\3\
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\3\ 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="20666572636f4e4c494e45735550504f525460464552430e474f56">[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 the Applicants,
construction of the proposed facilities for the SPLNG Terminal
Expansion would disturb about 263.5 acres of new land outside of the
existing SPLNG facility, and operation of these facilities would
maintain about 248.7 acres outside the existing SPLNG facility.
Construction of facilities for the Sabine Crossing Pipeline would
require about 1209.5 acres of land, while the operation of these
facilities would require 431.5 acres of land. About 35.6 miles (64
percent) of the Sabine Crossing Pipeline would be collocated with
existing pipelines. Construction of aboveground facilities along the
Creole Trail Pipeline System would affect 54 acres during construction,
including 6.1 acres of overlap with the existing SPLNG facility.
Operation of the facilities for the Creole Trail Pipeline System would
require 52.5 acres of land.
Based on an initial review of the Applicants' proposal and public
comments received during the pre-filing process, Commission staff have
identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS.
The Project would affect 614 acres of wetlands during construction and
would result in the loss of 91.9 acres of wetlands. It would also
result in 52.3 tons of total hazardous air pollutant 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 and socioeconomics;
<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. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of
Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration--National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S.
Department of Energy are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the
EIS.\4\ 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
\5\ 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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\4\ Cooperating agency responsibilities are addressed in Section
107(a)(3) of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4336(a)(3)).
\5\ 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. Alternatives currently under consideration include:
<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 is using this notice to initiate
section 106 consultation for the Project 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.\6\ 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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\6\ 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 June 18, 2025, 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
April 2026, opening a 45-day comment period.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--September 25, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \7\--December 24, 2026
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\7\ 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.
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If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an
additional
[[Page 38974]]
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.............. LNG Export Authorization.
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.
U.S. Coast Guard....................... Letter of Intent.
Ports and Waterways Safety
Assessment.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Section 7 of the Endangered
Administration--National Marine Species Act Consultation.
Fisheries Service.
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.
U.S. Department of Transportation-- Letter of Determination.
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farmland Protection Policy Act.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
(NRCS)--Louisiana.
USDA NRCS--Texas....................... Farmland Protection Policy Act.
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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 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#f4b39587a4869b9e919780b5909086918787b79c959a9391b492918697da939b82"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4d0a2c3e1d3f2227282e390c29293f283e3e0e252c232a280d2b283f2e632a223b">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP24-75-001, CP25-505-000,
and CP25-506-000 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.,
CP25-505). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aee8cbdccde1c0c2c7c0cbfddbdedec1dcdaeec8cbdccd80c9c1d8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de98bbacbd91b0b2b7b0bb8dabaeaeb1acaa9eb8bbacbdf0b9b1a8">[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: August 8, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-15362 Filed 8-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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