Notice2025-21489
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P.; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned CCL Stage 4 Project and CCPL Expansion Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Session
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
November 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 227 (Friday, November 28, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 227 (Friday, November 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54658-54661]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21489]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF25-10-000]
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC, Corpus Christi
Liquefaction, LLC, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P.; Notice of
Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the
Planned CCL Stage 4 Project and CCPL Expansion Project, and Notice of
Public Scoping Session
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the planned CCL Stage 4 Project and CCPL
Expansion Project (projects) involving construction and operation of
facilities by Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC, Corpus Christi
Liquefaction, LLC, and Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P.
(collectively, the Applicants) in San Patricio and Nueces Counties,
Texas. The Commission will use this environmental document in its
decision-making process to determine whether the projects are in the
public interest.
This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the projects. 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 authorization. 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 24, 2025. 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.
[[Page 54659]]
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 or oral comments during the preparation
of the environmental document.
If you submitted comments on these projects to the Commission
before the opening of this docket on July 17, 2025, you will need to
file those comments in Docket No. PF25-10-000 to ensure they are
considered.
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 these planned
projects and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
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 planned 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 projects, 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 subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these
matters.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' 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 four 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#81c7e4f3e2ceefede8efe4d2f4f1f1eef3f5c1e7e4f3e2afe6eef7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="da9cbfa8b995b4b6b3b4bf89afaaaab5a8ae9abcbfa8b9f4bdb5ac">[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 (PF25-
10-000) 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, MD 20852.
(4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you
to attend a public scoping session its staff will conduct in the
project area, scheduled as follows:
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Date and time Location
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Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 5:00-8:00 Portland Community Center,
p.m. CST 2000 Billy G. Webb Drive,
Portland, TX 78374, 361-777-
4670.
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The primary goal of the scoping session 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. This format is designed to
receive the maximum amount of oral comments in a convenient way during
the timeframe allotted.
The scoping session is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CST.
You may arrive at any time after 5:00 p.m. There will not be a formal
presentation by Commission staff when the session opens. If you wish to
speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers in the order of your
arrival. Comments will be taken until 8:00 p.m. However, if no
additional numbers have been handed out and all individuals who wish to
provide comments have had an opportunity to do so, staff may conclude
the session at 7:30 p.m. Please see appendix 1 for additional
information on the session format and conduct.\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="da9c9f889995b4b6b3b4bf89afaaaab5a8ae9abcbfa8b9f4bdb5ac">[email protected]</a> or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Your scoping comments will be recorded by a court reporter (with
FERC staff or representative present) and become part of the public
record for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on
FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page of this notice for
instructions on using eLibrary). If a significant number of people are
interested in providing oral comments in the one-on-one settings, a
time limit of 5 minutes may be implemented for each commentor.
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 scoping session. Although there will not be a
formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout the
scoping session to answer your questions about the environmental review
process. Representatives from Cheniere will also be present to answer
project-specific questions.
Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription, which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances
and submittals regarding the
[[Page 54660]]
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.
For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office
of Public Participation at (202)502-6595 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c736c6c7c5a594e5f125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="125d424252747760713c757d64">[email protected]</span></a>.
Summary of the Planned Project
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC and Corpus Christi
Liquefaction, LLC plan to construct and operate an expansion of the
existing Corpus Christi Liquefaction Terminal (CCL Terminal) in San
Patricio and Nueces Counties, Texas on the La Quinta Ship Channel. The
proposed CCL Terminal expansion consists of four new liquefaction
trains, two liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks, three ground
flares, a third marine berth, and other associated infrastructure
(collectively, the ``CCL Stage 4 Project''). CCL Stage 4 Project
anticipates an additional 390 LNG vessels per year, increasing the
approximate number at the CCL Terminal from the currently authorized
480 LNG vessels per year to 870 per year.
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. plans to construct and
operate a 26-mile-long, 42-inch-diameter interstate natural gas
pipeline loop \2\ (partially collocated with its existing 48-inch-
diameter pipeline), as well as additional compression and interconnect
facilities, all within San Patricio County, Texas (collectively the
``CCPL Expansion Project''). The CCPL Expansion Project would provide
feed gas on an integrated basis to the CCL Terminal and include receipt
meters to allow it to interconnect with pipelines to be developed by
others in the future. The CCPL Expansion Project would increase gas
delivery capacity to the CCL Terminal by approximately 3.0 billion
standard cubic feet per day.
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\2\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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The CCL Stage 4 Project would consist of the following facilities:
<bullet> four large-scale liquefaction trains (Trains 4-7);
<bullet> four inlet air chilling units;
<bullet> two full containment, aboveground 220,000-cubic-meter LNG
storage tanks;
<bullet> a new marine berth;
<bullet> one marine loading jetty;
<bullet> seven boil-off-gas compressors (BOG);
<bullet> one new main substation;
<bullet> one marine totally enclosed ground flare;
<bullet> three multi-point ground flares;
<bullet> a new 48-inch-diameter, approximately 1-mile-long pipeline
from the Stage 4 Custody Meter Station to the CCL Terminal custody
meter station where the existing 48-inch diameter pipeline intersects
the terminal;
<bullet> new flare knockout drums and other new utilities and
appurtenant facilities; and
<bullet> tie-ins to the existing CCL Terminal, including shared
utilities, LNG rundown header, elevated flares, BOG, LNG loading lines,
and the project's feed gas header.
The CCPL Expansion Project would consist of the following
facilities:
<bullet> a new compressor station (Sinton 2 Compressor Station)
adjacent to the existing Sinton Compressor Station (previously
authorized in Docket No. CP12-508-000) with a proposed 105,000
horsepower;
<bullet> a new 42-inch-diameter, approximately 26-mile-long
pipeline loop from the Sinton and Sinton 2 Compressor Stations to the
Stage 4 Custody Meter Station; and
<bullet> interconnect, metering, and flow control infrastructure
between the existing and planned facilities.
According to the Applicants, the purpose of the planned projects is
to liquefy and export additional LNG volumes from the CCL Terminal to
meet increased international demand for natural gas. The general
location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 2.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the CCL Stage 4 Project would disturb up to 2,203
acres of land, of which 1,465.2 acres include the existing CCL Stage 4
Terminal and Marine Facilities, and 414.7 acres include land outside
the previously approved CCL Terminal site. Following construction,
365.0 acres of land would be added to the current CCL Terminal
footprint; the remaining acreage would be restored and reverted to
former uses.
Construction of the CCPL Expansion Project would disturb about
581.4 acres of land, which includes 520.5 acres for pipeline
construction, 26.7 acres for aboveground facility construction, and
34.2 acres for temporary pipeline contractor yards. Following
construction, Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. would maintain and
operate 165.4 acres of pipeline right-of-way and 26.7 acres of
aboveground facility. About 95 percent of the planned pipeline route
parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-way.
In total, construction of the projects would disturb 2,784.4 acres
of land and 2,022.3 acres of land would be operated as the CCL
Terminal, pipeline right-of-way, and pipeline aboveground facilities.
NEPA Process and the Environmental Document
Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation
of the planned projects 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> socioeconomics;
<bullet> land use;
<bullet> air quality and noise; and
<bullet> reliability and safety.
Commission staff have already identified several issues that
deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the planned
facilities and the environmental information provided by the
Applicants. This preliminary list of issues may change based on your
comments and our analysis:
<bullet> visual effects from increased flare activity;
<bullet> increased emissions from operation of the CCL Terminal;
<bullet> increased ship transit and potential shoreline effects
from wake waves; and
<bullet> marine berth construction and ship transit effects on
marine species.
Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
planned projects or portions of the projects 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.
Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff
have already initiated a NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing
process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve
issues before the Commission receives an application. As part of the
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the
preparation of the environmental document.
[[Page 54661]]
If a formal application is filed, Commission staff will then
determine 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 environmental 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 determination on
the proposed project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of
Intent to Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued once an
application is filed, which will open an additional public comment
period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS that 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 \3\ 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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\3\ 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 related to these projects to formally cooperate in
the preparation of the environmental document.\4\ 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. Currently, the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers has expressed its intention to participate as a cooperating
agency in the preparation of the environmental document to satisfy its
NEPA responsibilities related to these projects.
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\4\ Cooperating agency responsibilities are addressed in Section
107(a)(3) of NEPA (42 U.S. Code Sec. 4336(a)(3)).
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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.\5\ The environmental document for these
projects will document our findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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\5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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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Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list 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 projects 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 planned projects.
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#1156706241637e7b747265507575637462625279707f767451777463723f767e67"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="df98beac8fadb0b5babcab9ebbbbadbaacac9cb7beb1b8ba9fb9baadbcf1b8b0a9">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number (PF25-10-000) 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 3).
Becoming an Intervenor
Once the Applicants file its application with the Commission, you
may want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the
Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek
rehearing of the Commission's decision and be heard by the courts if
they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. An intervenor
formally participates in the proceeding by filing a request to
intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully
described at <a href="https://www.ferc.gov/how-intervene">https://www.ferc.gov/how-intervene</a>. Please note that the
Commission will not accept requests for intervenor status at this time.
You must wait until the Commission receives a formal application for
the projects, after which the Commission will issue a public notice
that establishes an intervention deadline.
Additional Information
Additional information about these projects are available on the
FERC website (<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#cb8daeb9a884a5a7a2a5ae98bebbbba4b9bf8badaeb9a8e5aca4bd"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1b382f3e1233313433380e282d2d322f291d3b382f3e733a322b">[email protected]</span></a> or toll free at (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.
Authority: 18 CFR 2.1.
Dated: November 24, 2025
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-21489 Filed 11-26-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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