Notice2026-08654
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P; Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC; Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage 4 Project and the CCPL Expansion Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review
Primary source
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Published
May 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24224-24227]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08654]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP18-513-000; Docket No. CP26-82-000; Docket No. CP26-87-
000]
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P; Corpus Christi
Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC; Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC: Notice of
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage 4 Project and the CCPL 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 effects of the Corpus Christi
Liquefaction, LLC (CCL) Stage 4 Project and the Corpus Christi Pipeline
L.P. (CCPL) Expansion Project (Projects) involving construction and
operation of facilities by Corpus Christi Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC,
CCL, and CCPL (collectively, the Applicants) in San Patricio and Nueces
Counties, Texas.\1\ Additionally CCPL has requested a limited amendment
to CCPL's certificate of public convenience and necessity granted in
Docket No. CP18-513-000 for the Stage 3 Pipeline Project, to vacate the
authorization for the 21-mile-long, 42-inch-diameter pipeline loop. The
Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making process to
determine whether the Projects are 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-019-20-000-1775047149.
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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 effects that could result
whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity/authorization. This gathering of public input
is referred to as ``scoping.'' By notice issued on November 24, 2025,
in Docket No. PF25-10-000, the Commission opened a scoping period
during the Applicant's planning process for the Projects and prior to
filing a formal application with the Commission, a process referred to
as ``pre-filing.'' The Applicants have now filed an 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 effects, and any relevant
information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning effects
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 May 29, 2026. 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 a scoping period which expired on December 24, 2025; however,
Commission staff continued to accept comments during the entire pre-
filing process. Staff also held a scoping session to take oral scoping
comments. This session was held in Portland, Texas on December 10,
2025. 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. PF25-10-000 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 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 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.
[[Page 24225]]
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#b2f4d7c0d1fddcdedbdcd7e1c7c2c2ddc0c6f2d4d7c0d19cd5ddc4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="11577463725e7f7d787f74426461617e636551777463723f767e67">[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 number (CP18-
513-000, CP26-82-000 and CP26-87-000) 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.
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#2f607f7f6f494a5d4c01484059"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="39766969795f5c4b5a175e564f">[email protected]</span></a>.
Summary of the Proposed Projects, the Project Purpose and Need, and
Expected Effects
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 Stage 4 Project consists of four new liquefaction trains,
two liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks, three ground flares, a
third marine berth, and other associated infrastructure. Corpus Christi
Liquefaction Stage IV, LLC and Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC
anticipate 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. 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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Specifically, 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; and
<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.
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 of compression;
<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.
The general location of the Projects 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="a9efecfbeae6c7c5c0c7ccfadcd9d9c6dbdde9cfccdbca87cec6df">[email protected]</a> or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Construction of the CCL Stage 4 Project would disturb up to 2,319.8
acres of land, of which 1,765 acres include the existing CCL Terminal
and Marine Facilities, and 554.8 acres include land outside the
previously approved CCL Terminal site. Following construction, 366.9
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
573.7 acres of land, which includes 484.5 acres for pipeline
construction, 51.5 acres for aboveground facility construction, and
37.7 acres for temporary pipeline contractor yards. Following
construction, CCPL would maintain and operate 156.5 acres of pipeline
right-of-way and 51.5 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 2,893.5 acres
of land and 2,078.1 acres of land would be operated as the CCL
Terminal, pipeline right-of-way, and pipeline aboveground facilities.
Based on an initial review of the Applicant's proposal and public
comments received during the pre-filing process, Commission staff have
identified several expected effects that deserve attention in the EIS.
The Projects would affect seven waterbodies, as well as 1.6 acres of
wetlands within Corpus Christi Bay. Construction and operation of the
CCL Stage 4 Project would result in the loss of 0.5 acre of floodplain
and would affect 9.1 acres of seagrasses. Additionally, the Projects
would result in 50.9 tons per year of total hazardous air pollutant
emissions.
[[Page 24226]]
The NEPA Process and the EIS
The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss effects that could
occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed
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> 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 effects 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, Department of Energy, U.S.
Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Fisheries, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 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 Projects are not
implemented;
<bullet> system alternatives;
<bullet> pipeline route alternatives; and
<bullet> 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 Projects objectives, are technically and
economically feasible, and avoid or lessen environmental effects.
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 initiated section 106 consultation for
the Projects in the notice issued on November 24, 2025, 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 Projects' potential effects on
historic properties.\6\ This notice is a continuation of section 106
consultation for the Projects. The EIS will document findings on the
effects 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 February 17, 2026, the Commission issued its Notice of
Application for the Projects. 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 Projects. This
notice identifies the Commission staff's planned schedule for
completion of the final EIS for the Projects, which is based on an
issuance of the draft EIS in September 2026, opening a 45-day comment
period.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS, March 12, 2027
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline,\7\ June 10, 2027
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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.
If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are
kept informed of the Projects' progress.
Permits and Authorizations
The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations
for the Projects 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 these Projects. 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.
Federal and Federally Delegated Permits
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Agency Permit
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission... Section 3 and 7 of the NGA.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers........... Section 404 of Clean Water Act
and Section 10 of Rivers and
Harbors Act.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service......... Section 7 of Endangered Species
Act; Migratory Bird Treaty
Act; and Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Administration Fisheries. Conservation and Management
Act; Marine Mammal Protection
Act; Fish and Wildlife
Coordination Act; and Section
7 of the Endangered Species
Act.
Federal Aviation Administration........ Notice of Proposed Construction
or Alteration of Navigable
Airspace.
U.S. Coast Guard....................... Letter of Intent; and Ports and
Waterways Safety Assessment.
U.S. Department of Energy.............. LNG Export Authorization.
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Railroad Commission of Texas........... Section 401 Water Quality
Certification.
Texas Historical Commission............ Section 106 National Historic
Preservation Act Consultation.
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Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the Projects 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 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 proposed Projects. State and local government representatives
should notify their constituents of these proposed projects 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#e3a48290b3918c89868097a2878791869090a08b828d8486a385869180cd848c95"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2364425073514c4946405762474751465050604b424d444663454651400d444c55">[email protected]</span></a> stating your
request. You must include the docket numbers CP18-513-000, CP26-82-000,
and CP26-87-000 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 Projects is available 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., CP18-
513-000, CP26-82-000, and CP26-87-000). Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance with eLibrary, please contact
FERC Online Support at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c88eadbaab87a6a4a1a6ad9bbdb8b8a7babc88aeadbaabe6afa7be"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d395b6a1b09cbdbfbabdb680a6a3a3bca1a793b5b6a1b0fdb4bca5">[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.
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.
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: April 29, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-08654 Filed 5-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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