Notice2026-07122
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Viola Project
Primary source
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Published
April 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 70 (Monday, April 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18841-18842]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-07122]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP26-74-000]
Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Schedule for
the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Viola Project
On January 21, 2026, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.
(Southern Star) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-74-000
requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity
[[Page 18842]]
pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act for the Viola Project
(Project) in Sumner County, Kansas. Southern Star proposes to construct
a new meter station, flow station, compressor station, and the Line UA
natural gas pipeline, in order to flow up to 116,296 dekatherms per day
of natural gas. The Viola Project would support and supply the 710-
megawatt combined cycle power generation Viola Plant, which is
currently under construction in Sumner County, and would be owned and
operated by Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. (Evergy).
On February 4, 2026, 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\ The EA will be
issued for a 30-day comment period.
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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-019-20-000-1774341286.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--October 9, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--January 7, 2027
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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
The Project would consist of the facilities and activities detailed
below, all in Sumner County, Kansas:
<bullet> approximately 19.33 miles of new 16-inch-diameter natural
gas pipeline (Line UA), which would connect to Southern Star's existing
20-inch-diameter Line U;
<bullet> the new Wellington Compressor Station, consisting of three
compressor units totaling 12,375 horsepower, along with ancillary
station equipment;
<bullet> a new mainline valve on Line U; and
<bullet> the Evergy Meter Setting, a meter station which would
connect Line UA to the new Evergy Viola Plant.
Background
On March 4, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Viola
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.
The Commission received a comment regarding concerns over air and noise
emissions, as well as potential safety risks of a compressor station
and pipeline within 1 mile of a residence. All substantive comments
received 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.
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#450a151505232037266b222a33"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de918e8e9eb8bbacbdf0b9b1a8">[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., CP26-74), 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#d3959681909cbdbfbabdb680a6a3a3bca1a793b5b6a1b0fdb4bca5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d79192859498b9bbbeb9b284a2a7a7b8a5a397b1b2a5b4f9b0b8a1">[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: April 7, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-07122 Filed 4-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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