Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Texas Gateway Project

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 199 (Friday, October 16, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65742-65745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-21191]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP26-547-000]


Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Texas 
Gateway Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of the Texas Gateway Project 
involving construction and operation of facilities by Gulf South 
Pipeline Company, LLC (Gulf South) in Panola, Shelby, San Augustine, 
Sabine, Jasper, Newton, and San Jacinto counties, Texas and Beauregard 
Parish, Louisiana. The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-
making process to determine whether the project is in the public 
convenience and necessity.
    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. On August 25, 2026, the Commission issued a 
Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Texas Gateway Project, Request for Comments on Environmental 
Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review (NOI). Through the NOI, 
the Commission initiated an initial public scoping period and requested 
comments on the scope of environmental issues to be addressed in the 
EIS. With this current Notice, the Commission is announcing an 
additional scoping period, which will also allow interested 
stakeholders an opportunity to participate in in-person scoping 
sessions. Comments received during the previous and current scoping 
periods will be considered in the Commission staff's environmental 
review and in the development of the EIS. 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 EIS. 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 November 12, 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 EIS. Commission staff will consider 
all written or oral comments during the preparation of the EIS.
    If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before 
the opening of this docket on June 26, 2026, you will need to file 
those comments in Docket No. CP26-547-000 to ensure they are considered 
as part of this proceeding.
    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 proposed 
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 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 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.
    Gulf South 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

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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#ebad8e9988a4858782858eb89e9b9b84999fab8d8e9988c58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c187a4b3a28eafada8afa492b4b1b1aeb3b581a7a4b3a2efa6aeb7">[email&#160;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 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'';
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP26-
547-000) 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; or
    (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you 
to attend one of the four in-person 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, October 26, 2026, 6:00-     Cleveland Reception Hall, 502 N
 8:00 p.m. Central.                  Washington Ave., Cleveland, TX
                                     77327, (832) 241-8929.
Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 6:00-    City of San Augustine Civic Center
 8:00 p.m. Central.                  (Log Cabin), 611 W Columbia St.,
                                     San Augustine, TX 75972, (936) 275-
                                     2121.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 6:00-  Lone Star Community Center, 750
 8:00 p.m. Central.                  Burch St., Jasper, TX 75951, (409)
                                     384-7155.
Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6:00-   The Barn at Promise Ranch, 17734 US-
 8:00 p.m. Central.                  171, Ragley, LA 70657, (337) 485-
                                     7430.
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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 EIS. Individual oral comments will be taken on a one-
on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is designed to receive 
the maximum amount of oral comments in a convenient way during the 
timeframe allotted.
    Each scoping session is scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 
Central Daylight Time. You may arrive at any time after 6:00 p.m. There 
will not be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the session 
opens. If you wish to speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers 
in the order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until 8:00 p.m. 
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 at 7:30 p.m. 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="571112051418393b3e393204222727382523173132253479303821">[email&#160;protected]</a> or call toll 
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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    Your oral 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. 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 Gulf South will also be present to 
answer project-specific questions.
    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 virtual scoping session.
    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#df908f8f9fb9baadbcf1b8b0a9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ca859a9a8aacafb8a9e4ada5bc">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Gulf South proposes to construct, and operate the Texas Gateway 
Project which will comprise approximately 155 miles of new natural gas 
pipelines and associated metering and compression facilities in east 
Texas and southwest Louisiana. Gulf South also proposes to construct a 
new compressor station along its existing Index 129 Legacy System in 
San Jacinto County, Texas and expand two existing compressor stations 
located along Gulf South's existing Index 129 Legacy System, to support 
the proposed new pipeline. Overall, the Project will allow Gulf South 
to transport approximately 1.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural 
gas from existing facilities in Carthage, Texas to delivery points in 
southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.
    According to Gulf South, its project would support liquefied 
natural gas (LNG), industrial, and utility demand by connecting 
shippers to diverse natural gas supplies from the Permian, Eagle Ford, 
and Haynesville basins. Gulf South asserts that the project would 
enhance system reliability, supply security, flow assurance, and long-
term economic development in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas by 
linking these production areas to the

[[Page 65744]]

growing market centers in southeast Texas and southwestern Louisiana, 
including LNG export facilities located near the Gillis Hub and 
surrounding Gulf Coast Region.
    The Texas Gateway Project would consist of the following 
facilities:
    <bullet> New approximate 155-mile-long natural gas pipeline 
comprised of 36-inch- and 42-inch-diameter pipe segments, in Panola, 
Shelby, San Augustine, Sabine, Jasper, Newton, and San Jacinto 
counties, Texas and Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.
    <bullet> Three new delivery meter and regulator (M&R) stations.
    <bullet> A new 13,410 nominal horsepower \2\ (hp) compressor 
station (the Cleveland Compressor Station [CS]) along its existing 
Index 129 Legacy System in San Jacinto County, Texas.
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    \2\ The listed horsepower (hp) is based on the site rating hp at 
95 [deg]F. The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) 
hp is 14,189, and the International Standards Organization (ISO) 
standard conditions hp is 15,876.
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    <bullet> Expansion of compressor capacity at the existing Carthage 
Junction CS and Magasco CS.
    <bullet> A new bi-directional check M&R station at the Carthage 
Junction CS.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
2.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 3,034 
acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline. 
Following construction, Gulf South would maintain about 996 acres for 
permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage 
would be restored and revert to former uses. About 40 percent of the 
proposed pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road 
rights-of-way.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could 
occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed 
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> socioeconomics;
    <bullet> land use;
    <bullet> air quality and noise; and
    <bullet> reliability and safety.
    Based on an initial review of Gulf South's proposal, Commission 
staff have identified several expected effects that deserve attention 
in the EIS. The project would cross 766 waterbodies, including 9 major 
waterbodies, and would disturb about 165.4 acres of wetlands during 
construction and about 29.7 during operation. About 24.3 acres of 
forested wetland would be converted to emergent wetland. Habitat for a 
number of species, including alligator snapping turtle, Louisiana 
pigtoe, Texas heelsplitter, monarch butterfly, tricolored bat, and 
whooping crane, as well as migratory birds would be affected. Flowage 
easements and fee-owned lands managed/owned by the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers and a Clean Water Act Section 10 waterbody would be crossed, 
as well as the Sabine National Forest.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the 
proposed 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 EIS.
    The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the 
issues. The scheduling information contained in the Commission's August 
25, 2026 NOI will be maintained unless revised via additional notice. 
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. The draft and final EIS will be available 
in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary \3\ 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 draft and final EISs are issued.
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    \3\ 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 of this project to formally cooperate in the 
preparation of the EIS.\4\ 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.
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    \4\ Cooperating agency responsibilities are addressed in Section 
107(a)(3) of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4336(a)(3)).
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    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, 
U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, and the Caddo Nation of Oklahoma are 
cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS.\5\
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    \5\ Cooperating agency responsibilities are addressed in Section 
107(a)(3) of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 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.\6\ The EIS for this project will 
document findings on the impacts 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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Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; Native 
American Tribes; environmental and public interest groups; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and media outlets. 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 proposed 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#ce89afbd9ebca1a4abadba8faaaabcabbdbd8da6afa0a9ab8ea8abbcade0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6f280e1c3f1d00050a0c1b2e0b0b1d0a1c1c2c070e01080a2f090a1d0c41080019">[email&#160;protected]</span></a> stating your 
request. You must include the docket number CP26-547-000 in

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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).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from 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. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date 
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0f496a7d6c40616366616a5c7a7f7f607d7b4f696a7d6c21686079"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e4a2819687ab8a888d8a81b79194948b9690a482819687ca838b92">[email&#160;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.
    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: October 13, 2026
Carlos D. Clay,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2026-21191 Filed 10-15-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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