Notice2026-00988
Leaf River Energy Center LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Leaf River Capacity Expansion Project
Primary source
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Published
January 20, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 12 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 2350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-00988]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP26-17-000]
Leaf River Energy Center LLC; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Leaf River Capacity
Expansion Project
On October 31, 2025, Leaf River Energy Center LLC (LREC) filed an
application in Docket No. CP26-17-000 requesting a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the
Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline
facilities. The proposed project is known as the Leaf River Capacity
Expansion Project (Project) and would increase the certificated natural
gas storage capacity at its existing New Home Salt Dome storage
facility by 17.62 billion cubic feet.
On November 13, 2025, 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\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1767100220.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--May 1, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--July 30, 2026
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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
As described above, LREC proposes to expand existing natural gas
storage cavern capacity and create a new natural gas storage cavern,
along with adding three new compressors at existing facilities in
Smith, Jasper, and Clarke counties, Mississippi. The Leaf River
Capacity Expansion Project would allow LREC to increase the
certificated natural gas storage capacity at its existing New Home Salt
Dome storage facility by 17.62 billion cubic feet. According to LREC,
the project would help satisfy market demand for incremental natural
gas storage and is needed to provide critical natural gas grid
reliability, and to help reduce price volatility and physical supply
and demand imbalances in the Gulf Coast natural gas market.
Background
On December 12, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed
Leaf River Capacity Expansion Project and Notice of Public Scoping
Session (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 did not receive
any comments.
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.
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#28677878684e4d5a4b064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="abe4fbfbebcdced9c885ccc4dd">[email protected]</span></a>.
Additional information about the Project is available from 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., CP26-17), 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#55131007161a3b393c3b30062025253a272115333027367b323a23"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b1f7f4e3f2fedfddd8dfd4e2c4c1c1dec3c5f1d7d4c3d29fd6dec7">[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.
(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)
Dated: January 14, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-00988 Filed 1-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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