Notice2026-18993
Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Permian Basin Expansion Project
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
September 16, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy DepartmentFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 178 (Wednesday, September 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58666-58667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18993]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP26-534-000]
Northern Natural Gas Company; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Permian Basin
Expansion Project
On May 28, 2026, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an
application in Docket No. CP26-534-000 requesting a Certificate of
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to
[[Page 58667]]
Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain
natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the
Permian Basin Expansion Project (Project) and would provide about
361,600 dekatherms per day of firm natural gas transportation service
to a new natural gas-fired generation facility located in Gaines
County, Texas.
On June 9, 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\
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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-019-20-000-1785148514.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--February 19, 2027
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--May 20, 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
Northern proposes to construct and operate approximately 16.2 miles
of interstate, natural gas transmission pipeline and associated
facilities, and a new compressor station, in Lea County, New Mexico and
Gaines County, Texas. Northern also proposes to modify facilities
within the fence line of the existing Plains Compressor Station in
Yoakum County, Texas.
Background
On July 8, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Permian
Basin Expansion 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. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission
received comments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the Laborer's International Union of North America. Generally, the
EPA recommended that the environmental document address water quality
and quantity, floodplains, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
System permit coverage, impaired waters, tribal coordination,
Endangered Species Act, ambient air conditions and air quality, solid
and hazardous waste generated, and compliance with Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act. The Laborer's International Union
stated that the environmental document address their concerns on the
shortage of skilled labor in the local area. All substantive comments
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#c58a959585a3a0b7a6eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e7a8b7b7a781829584c9808891">[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., CP26-534), 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#63252631202c0d0f0a0d06301613130c111723050611004d040c15"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="682e2d3a2b27060401060d3b1d1818071a1c280e0d1a0b460f071e">[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: September 11, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-18993 Filed 9-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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