Notice2026-08459
Great Basin Gas Transmission Company
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
April 30, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 83 (Thursday, April 30, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23262-23265]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08459]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF26-5-000]
Great Basin Gas Transmission Company
Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental
Issues for the Planned 2028 Expansion Project, and Notice of Public
Scoping Sessions
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the 2028 Expansion Project involving the
construction and operation of new facilities and abandonment of
existing facilities by Great Basin Gas Transmission Company (Great
Basin) in Churchill, Humboldt, Lyon, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe
counties, Nevada. 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 that 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 a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. 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 May 27, 2026. 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.
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 this project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on January 20, 2026, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. PF26-5-000 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 this planned
project 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 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 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 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#7a3c1f081935141613141f290f0a0a15080e3a1c1f0819541d150c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="40062532230f2e2c292e25133530302f323400262532236e272f36">[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 also 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 (PF26-5-
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 one of the public scoping sessions its staff will conduct in
the project area, scheduled as follows:
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Date and time Location
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Monday, May 18, 2026, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 Winnemucca Convention Center,
p.m. PDT. 50 West Winnemucca Boulevard,
Winnemucca, NV 89445.
[[Page 23263]]
Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 Best Western SureStay, 1420
p.m. PDT. Cornell Avenue, Lovelock, NV
89419.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 Courtyard by Marriot Reno
p.m. PDT. Sparks, 505 USA Parkway,
Sparks, NV 89437.
Thursday, May 21, 2026, 6:00 p.m.-8:00 Fernley Senior Center, 105 Lois
p.m. PDT. Lane, Fernley, NV 89408.
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The primary goal of these scoping sessions 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 number of oral comments in a convenient
way during the timeframe allotted.
The scoping sessions on May 18, 19, and 20, 2026, are scheduled
from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pacific Time; the scoping session on May
21, 2026 is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time. You may
arrive at any time after 5:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. on May 21). There will
not be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the session
opens. If you wish to speak, Commission staff will hand out numbers in
the order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until 7:00 p.m. (8:00
p.m. on May 21). 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 30 minutes prior
to the announced closing time. 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="fbbdbea9b8b4959792959ea88e8b8b94898fbb9d9e8998d59c948d">[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 Great Basin 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 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#a7e8f7f7e7c1c2d5c489c0c8d1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="96d9c6c6d6f0f3e4f5b8f1f9e0">[email protected]</span></a>.
Summary of the Planned Project
Great Basin plans to construct and operate natural gas pipeline
facilities in Churchill, Humboldt, Lyon, Pershing, Storey, and Washoe
counties, Nevada. The 2028 Expansion Project would consist of
approximately 195 miles of new 42-inch-diameter pipeline and
approximately 15 miles of new 24-inch-diameter lateral pipelines. As
part of the project, Great Basin would also construct and operate the
new Jungo Road Compressor Station in Humboldt County; a new receipt
point adjacent to Great Basin's existing Opal Valley Receipt Point; and
new delivery points, meter stations, pressure limiting stations, and
other associated appurtenant facilities. The project includes the
planned abandonment of approximately 142 miles of existing, mostly
1960s-era, 8- and 16-inch-diameter pipeline and the existing Rye Patch
and Lovelock Compressor Stations.
The general location of the planned project facilities is shown in
Appendix 2.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the planned facilities and abandonment of existing
facilities would disturb a preliminarily estimated 4,500 acres of land.
Following construction, it is estimated that Great Basin would maintain
about 1,500 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities;
the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. A
majority of the pipeline facilities would be collocated with existing
pipeline, utility, and road rights-of-way.
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 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;
<bullet> socioeconomics;
<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 Great Basin.
This preliminary list of issues may change based on your comments and
our analysis:
<bullet> public land crossings and recreational land use;
<bullet> California National Historic Trail;
<bullet> protected species;
<bullet> air quality, noise, and visual impacts associated with
proposed new aboveground facilities;
<bullet> waterbody crossings, including the Humbolt River and
various canals; and
<bullet> the proposed abandonment of an older pipeline in place.
Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
planned 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.
Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff
have already initiated a NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing
process.
[[Page 23264]]
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.
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 \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 related to 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. Currently, the U.S. Bureau of
Land Management has expressed its intention to participate as a
cooperating agency in the preparation of the environmental document to
satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to this project.
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\3\ Cooperating agency responsibilities are addressed in Section
107(a)(3) of NEPA (42 U.S. Code 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.\4\ The environmental document for this
project will document our findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of consultations under Section 106.
Currently, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has expressed interest in
being a consulting party for Section 106.
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\4\ 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 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 planned 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#b8ffd9cbe8cad7d2dddbccf9dcdccaddcbcbfbd0d9d6dfddf8deddcadb96dfd7ce"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bafddbc9eac8d5d0dfd9cefbdedec8dfc9c9f9d2dbd4dddffadcdfc8d994ddd5cc">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket number PF26-5-000 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 Great Basin files 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 project, after which the Commission will issue a public notice that
establishes an intervention deadline.
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 (<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#387e5d4a5b77565451565d6b4d4848574a4c785e5d4a5b165f574e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ccae9feefc3e2e0e5e2e9dff9fcfce3fef8cceae9feefa2ebe3fa">[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)
[[Page 23265]]
Dated: April 27, 2026.
Carlos D. Clay,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-08459 Filed 4-29-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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