Freeport McMoRan Energy L.L.C. Main Pass Energy Hub Liquefied Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application Amendment; Final Public Hearings, Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact, 56219-56221 [E6-15756]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 26, 2006 / Notices
implementation of a close call reporting
system, public and railroad safety will
be improved.
Interested parties are invited to
participate in these proceedings by
submitting written views, data, or
comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in
connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a
hearing. If any interested party desires
an opportunity for oral comment, they
should notify FRA, in writing, before
the end of the comment period and
specify the basis for their request.
All communications concerning these
proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number (e.g., Waiver
Petition Docket Number 2006–25862)
and must be submitted to the Docket
Clerk, DOT Docket Management
Facility, Room PL–401 (Plaza Level),
400 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC
20590. Communications received within
20 days of the date of this notice will
be considered by FRA before final
action is taken. Comments received after
that date will be considered as far as
practicable. All written communications
concerning these proceedings are
available for examination during regular
business hours (9 a.m.–5 p.m.) at the
above facility. All documents in the
public docket are also available for
inspection and copying on the Internet
at the docket facility’s Web site at https://
dms.dot.gov.
Anyone is able to search the
electronic form of all comments
received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the
comment (or signing the comment, if
submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (Volume
65, Number 70; Pages 19477–78). The
Statement may also be found at https://
dms.dot.gov.
Issued in Washington, DC on September
20, 2006.
Grady C. Cothen, Jr.,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Safety
Standards and Program Development.
[FR Doc. E6–15754 Filed 9–25–06; 8:45 am]
pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
BILLING CODE 4910–06–P
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:03 Sep 25, 2006
Jkt 208001
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[USCG–2004–17696]
Freeport McMoRan Energy L.L.C. Main
Pass Energy Hub Liquefied Natural
Gas Deepwater Port License
Application Amendment; Final Public
Hearings, Environmental Assessment
and Draft Finding of No Significant
Impact
Maritime Administration, DOT.
Notice of availability; notice of
public hearings; request for comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration
(MARAD) and U.S. Coast Guard
announce the availability of the
Environmental Assessment (EA) and
Draft Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) on the Main Pass Energy Hub
(MPEH) Deepwater Port Amended
License Application. We are also
announcing the dates and locations of
public hearings for input regarding the
approval or denial of the license
application.
The application and the amendment
describe a project that would be located
in the Gulf of Mexico in Main Pass
Lease Block 299 (MP 299),
approximately 16 miles southeast of
Venice, Louisiana. Draft and final
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)
evaluating the original application were
published on June 17, 2005 and March
14, 2006, respectively.
The Main Pass Energy Hub Deepwater
Port License Application originally
proposed the use of ‘‘open-loop’’ open
rack vaporization (ORV). In the
amended application, the applicant is
proposing a ‘‘closed-loop’’ system using
submerged combustion vaporization
with selective catalytic reduction (SCV/
SCR). Though similar, a more generic
SCV/SCR system was analyzed in detail
in the Final EIS (FEIS) as an alternative.
The amended application provides
expanded and refined design
information regarding the proposed
changes. The EA was prepared to
provide analysis of the actual SCV/SCR
design now being proposed and to
determine if there were any significant
impacts resulting from this change in
proposed regassification technology in
addition to or different from those
previously assessed in the FEIS. The
original application and environmental
analysis contained in the FEIS still
apply, including facilities, offshore and
onshore pipelines, and salt cavern gas
storage. Previous comments on the FEIS
and application will continue to be
considered in this process and need not
be repeated. Based upon the EA, we
PO 00000
Frm 00120
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
56219
have determined that the project
changes as proposed in this amended
application will not have a significant
impact on the environment and we are
therefore issuing a Draft Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) for public
review and comment.
DATES: Public hearings will be held in
Grand Bay, Alabama on October 3, 2006;
Pascagoula, Mississippi on October 4,
2006; and New Orleans, Louisiana, on
October 5, 2006. Each public hearing
will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 8 p.m.,
and will be preceded by an
informational open house from 4:30
p.m. to 6 p.m. The public hearings may
end later than the stated time,
depending on the number of attendees
requesting to speak.
Material submitted in response to the
request for comments must reach the
Docket Management Facility on or
before November 6, 2006, which is the
end of the 45 day public comment
period. Federal and State agencies must
submit comments on the application as
amended, recommended conditions for
licensing, or letters of no objection by
November 20, 2006 (45 days after the
final public hearings). Also by
November 20, 2006 the Governors of the
adjacent coastal states of Alabama,
Louisiana, and Mississippi may
approve, disapprove, or notify MARAD
of inconsistencies with State programs
relating to environmental protection,
land and water use, and coastal zone
management, in which case MARAD
will condition any license granted to
make it consistent with state programs.
MARAD will issue a record of decision
(ROD) to approve, approve with
conditions, or deny the DWP license
application by January 3, 2007 (90 days
after the final public hearing).
ADDRESSES: The first public hearing and
informational open house will be held
on October 3, 2006, at the Grand Bay St.
Elmo Community Center, 11610
Highway 90 West, Grand Bay, Alabama,
phone: 251–865–4010. The second
public hearing and informational open
house will be held on October 4, 2006,
at the La Font Inn, 2703 Denny Avenue,
Pascagoula, Mississippi, phone: 228–
762–7111. The third public hearing and
informational open house will be held
on October 5, 2006, at the New Orleans
Marriott, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans,
Louisiana, phone: 504–581–1000.
A copy of the EA, FEIS, license
application, license application
amendment, comments and associated
documentation is available for view at
the DOT’s docket management Web site:
https://dms.dot.gov under docket number
17696. Copies of the EA and FEIS are
also available for review at the
E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM
26SEN1
56220
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 26, 2006 / Notices
pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
Pascagoula Jackson-George Regional
Headquarters Public Library,
Pascagoula, MS, 228–769–3227 ; Bayou
La Batre City Public Library, AL, 251–
824–4213; Mobile Public Main Library,
AL, 251–208–7106; New Orleans Public
Main Library, LA, 504–529–7989.
Address docket submissions for
USCG–2004–17696 to: Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street,
SW., Washington, DC 20590–0001.
The Docket Management Facility
accepts hand-delivered submissions and
makes docket contents available for
public inspection and copying, at this
address, in room PL–401, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Facility’s telephone is 202–366–9329,
its fax is 202–493–2251, and its Web site
for electronic submissions or for
electronic access to docket contents is
https://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roddy C. Bachman, U.S. Coast Guard,
telephone: 202–372–1451, e-mail:
Roddy.C.Bachman@uscg.mil. If you
have questions on viewing the docket,
call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager,
Docket Operations, telephone: 202–493–
0402.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Hearings, Open Houses and
Request for Comments
We invite you to learn about the
proposed deepwater port at the
informational open houses. We also
invite you to comment at the public
hearings on the proposed action and the
evaluation contained in the FEIS, EA,
the license application and amendment.
Relevant comments previously
submitted on the FEIS and the
application will continue to be
considered in the license application
process and need not be resubmitted.
Speaker registration will be available at
the door. In order to allow everyone a
chance to speak, we may limit speaker
time, or extend the hearing hours, or
both. You must identify yourself, and
any organization you represent, by
name. Your remarks will be recorded or
transcribed for inclusion in the public
docket.
You may submit written material at
the public hearing, either in place of or
in addition to speaking. Written
material must include your name and
address, and will be included in the
public docket. Public docket materials
will be made available to the public on
the Docket Management Facility’s
Docket Management System (DMS). See
’’Request for Comments’’ for
information about DMS and your rights
under the Privacy Act.
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:03 Sep 25, 2006
Jkt 208001
If you plan to attend either the open
house or the public hearing, and need
special assistance such as sign language
interpretation or other reasonable
accommodation, please notify the Coast
Guard (see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT) at least 3 business days in
advance. Include your contact
information as well as information
about your specific needs.
You can submit material to the Docket
Management Facility during the public
comment period (see DATES). MARAD
and the Coast Guard will consider all
comments submitted during the public
comment period. Submissions should
include:
• Docket number USCG–2004–17696.
• Your name and address.
• Your reasons for making each
comment or for bringing information to
our attention.
Submit comments or material using
only one of the following methods:
• Electronic submission to DMS,
https://dms.dot.gov.
• Fax, mail, or hand delivery to the
Docket Management Facility (see
ADDRESSES). Faxed or hand delivered
submissions must be unbound, no larger
than 81⁄2 by 11 inches, and suitable for
copying and electronic scanning. If you
mail your submission and want to know
when it reaches the Facility, include a
stamped, self-addressed postcard or
envelope. Regardless of the method
used for submitting comments or
material, all submissions will be posted,
without change, to the DMS Web site
(https://dms.dot.gov), and will include
any personal information you provide.
Therefore, submitting this information
makes it public. You may wish to read
the Privacy Act notice that is available
on the DMS Web site, or the Department
of Transportation Privacy Act Statement
that appeared in the Federal Register on
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).
You may view docket submissions at
the Docket Management Facility (see
ADDRESSES), or electronically on the
DMS Web site.
Proposed Action
We published a notice of application
for the proposed Main Pass Energy Hub
deepwater port at 69 FR 32363 (June 9,
2004); a notice of intent to prepare an
EIS at 69 FR 45337 (July 29, 2004);
announced the availability of the draft
EIS (DEIS) at 70 FR 35277 (June 17,
2005); the Final EIS at 71 FR 13213
(March 14, 2006); and the amended
application, intent to prepare an EA,
and request for comments at 71 FR
45899 (August 10, 2006). The proposed
action requiring environmental review
is the Federal licensing decision on the
proposed deepwater port application as
PO 00000
Frm 00121
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
originally submitted and subsequently
amended.
Alternatives Being Considered
The alternatives available for this
action are: (1) License the facility
according to the application as
amended, (2) license the facility
according to the application as amended
with conditions (including conditions
designed to mitigate environmental
impact), and (3) deny the application,
which for purposes of environmental
review is the ‘‘no-action’’ alternative.
These alternatives are more fully
discussed in the FEIS and EA.
Background
MARAD and the Coast Guard, as the
lead Federal agencies for the license
review process under the Deepwater
Port Act (DWPA) and the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
completed a Draft EIS that was released
on June 17, 2005. A Final EIS was
released on March 14, 2006. To seek
public involvement and comply with
the requirements of the DWPA and
NEPA, open houses and public hearings
were held in all adjacent coastal states
for: (1) Scoping, (2) the DEIS, and (3) the
FEIS in Grand Bay, Alabama; New
Orleans, Louisiana; and Pascagoula,
Mississippi.
During this public review process,
extensive public and agency comments
were submitted that discussed the
project and both ‘‘open-loop’’ ORV and
‘‘closed-loop’’ SCV technologies as
reasonable alternatives for the
regasification technology. For this and
other reasons, the Final EIS included
detailed discussion and evaluation of
both SCV and ORV technologies.
On May 5, 2005, Governor Blanco of
Louisiana, exercising authority granted
under the DWPA, disapproved the Main
Pass application based on the use of
ORV. In her letter of disapproval she
indicated support for closed-loop
systems. On May 31, 2006, the Coast
Guard and MARAD received an
amendment to the original application
from the applicant. The applicant in this
amended application now proposes to
change the project to use SCV in place
of ORV. On June 21, 2006, the
Administrator of MARAD issued a ROD
stating that a license for the project as
originally planned would not be issued
and no further action would be taken on
the application as originally submitted.
MARAD and the Coast Guard further
determined that they would process the
amended application according to the
applicable provisions of the DWPA and
NEPA.
The application amendment contains
the actual SCV/SCR design that would
E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM
26SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 186 / Tuesday, September 26, 2006 / Notices
be used. Because a more generic SCV/
SCR system was fully evaluated as a
reasonable alternative in sufficient
detail in the EIS to provide an
opportunity for in-depth public review,
the Coast Guard and MARAD
determined, in coordination with other
involved Federal agencies, including the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,
that an Environmental Assessment that
incorporates by reference and tiers from
the FEIS would provide the appropriate
level of NEPA review and analysis.
After the EA was completed, we
determined that a FONSI for the
amended application was applicable for
the action and that the applicant’s
change in preferred regassification
technology from ORV to SCV/SCR that
was previously evaluated in the FEIS
would not have a significant effect on
the environment in addition to or
different from those impacts previously
assessed and disclosed in the FEIS.
The EA describes the project changes
and focuses on the evaluation of the
amendment, incorporating by reference
and tiering from the FEIS. Our review
indicates the SCV/SCR proposal
provides a reduction in impacts in
several key resource areas. In addition,
a number of comments from the public,
and from State and Federal agencies
discussed and supported closed-loop
SCV as a preferred alternative.
On August 10, 2006, (71 FR 45899) we
provided notice of the availability of the
amended application; the intent to
prepare an EA; and request for
comments.
pwalker on PRODPC60 with NOTICES
Summary of the Application
Amendment
In the original application, the
applicant proposed open rack
vaporization (ORV) as their preferred
alternative. In this application
amendment, the applicant is now
proposing a ‘‘closed-loop’’ vaporization
system known as submerged
combustion vaporization with selective
catalytic reduction (SCV/SCR). This
change would eliminate seawater usage;
replace water-cooled generators with
low emission, air-cooled gas turbine
generators; propose use of sodium
hydroxide to neutralize the SCV process
water; would move Platform No. 3 from
its current position to the Terminal to
support vaporization equipment; and
make other minor changes to Terminal
operations and infrastructure to support
SCV/SCR operations. Proposed nonTerminal construction and operations
were not changed by the amended
application. All other aspects of the
original application and environmental
analysis contained in the EIS continue
VerDate Aug<31>2005
21:03 Sep 25, 2006
Jkt 208001
to apply, including facilities, pipelines,
and salt cavern gas storage.
SCV/SCR vaporization was analyzed
in detail in the EIS as an alternative
technology (EIS Option 1d). In
summary, the key differences in this
proposed change from the original ORV
proposal (EIS Option 2b) include:
• Elimination of 134 million gallons
per day of seawater intake and
discharge. Elimination of seawater
intakes and outfall structures. The SCV/
SCR system uses no seawater.
• Elimination of potential biological
impacts from vaporization seawater
intake due to impingement or
entrainment and reduced discharge
temperature plume.
• Elimination of the use of sodium
hypochlorite chlorination requirements.
• Discharge of 345,000 gallons per
day (at peak 1.6 bcfd vaporization)
process water produced through SCV/
SCR operation. Ph would be managed
between 6 and 9 through injection of
20% by weight caustic soda solution
(sodium hydroxide) into the stream. The
neutralization reaction produces sodium
carbonate and water. This would also
require the addition of a 50,000 gallon
storage tank.
• Installation of eight SCV/SCR units
(EIS Option 1d) as replacements for the
six ORV units previously proposed (EIS
Option 2b).
• Relocation and remodeling the
existing MPEH Platform No. 3 to a
position north of Bridge 11 between
Platforms BS–8 and BS–Y7 to
accommodate three of the eight SCV/
SCR vaporizers and three gas turbine
generators relocated from Platform No.
1. Existing well conductors and jacket
main piles would be removed and the
jacket installed on the new site.
Structural and system modifications to
the deck of existing Platform BS–8 and
existing Bridge No. 11 would also be
required.
• Injection of 240 gallons per day of
19.5% (by weight) aqueous ammonia
solution into the gas stream of the SCR.
This would require installation of a
7200 gallon tank.
• Operational air emissions of the
SCV/SCR amendment are reduced from
the original proposal. Total emissions
attributed to construction over 5 years
would be approximately 7% higher than
the original proposal due to the need to
move one platform.
• Direct burning of 1–1.5% of natural
gas for LNG vaporization—removing
this resource from the nation’s energy
supply.
PO 00000
Frm 00122
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
56221
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity
The onshore portion of this project
shoreward of the mean high water line
falls under the jurisdiction of the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
(FERC). Freeport-McMoRan has
received FERC authorization to
construct and operate the Coden
pipeline conditioned on receiving the
license for the DWP from MARAD
(FERC Order Issuing Certificate issued
May 18, 2006, FERC Docket Nos. CP04–
68 and CP04–69). This is the 5.1 mile
Bayou La Batre alternative in the FEIS.
Department of Army Permits
On July 22, 2005, the New Orleans
District, Army Corps of Engineers issued
a joint public notice advising all
interested parties of the proposed
activity for which Department of the
Army Section 404 and Section 10
permits are being sought, and solicited
comments and information necessary to
evaluate the probable impact on the
public interest. This comment period is
now closed. As this amendment falls
under the environmental review of the
DWPA, and not Section 10 of the Rivers
and Harbors Act and does not change
the Section 404 and Section 10 reviews,
an additional comment period is not
required by the Army Corps of
Engineers.
Dated: September 21, 2006.
By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. E6–15756 Filed 9–25–06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–81–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Surface Transportation Board
[STB Finance Docket No. 34930]
Brandon Railroad LLC—Acquisition
Exemption—Brandon Corp.
Brandon Railroad, LLC (BRR), a
noncarrier, has filed a verified notice of
exemption under 49 CFR 1150.31 for the
acquisition of approximately 17.3 miles
of rail line from the Brandon
Corporation (Brandon) in the former
Omaha-South Omaha switching district
in Omaha, NE. Prior to 1978, the lines
were operated by the South Omaha
Terminal Railroad Company and have
no mileposts associated with them. The
lines were expected to be conveyed by
Brandon to BRR on or shortly after
September 8, 2006.
BRR certifies that its projected annual
revenues as a result of the transaction
E:\FR\FM\26SEN1.SGM
26SEN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 26, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56219-56221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-15756]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Maritime Administration
[USCG-2004-17696]
Freeport McMoRan Energy L.L.C. Main Pass Energy Hub Liquefied
Natural Gas Deepwater Port License Application Amendment; Final Public
Hearings, Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant
Impact
AGENCY: Maritime Administration, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability; notice of public hearings; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) and U.S. Coast Guard
announce the availability of the Environmental Assessment (EA) and
Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on the Main Pass Energy
Hub (MPEH) Deepwater Port Amended License Application. We are also
announcing the dates and locations of public hearings for input
regarding the approval or denial of the license application.
The application and the amendment describe a project that would be
located in the Gulf of Mexico in Main Pass Lease Block 299 (MP 299),
approximately 16 miles southeast of Venice, Louisiana. Draft and final
Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) evaluating the original
application were published on June 17, 2005 and March 14, 2006,
respectively.
The Main Pass Energy Hub Deepwater Port License Application
originally proposed the use of ``open-loop'' open rack vaporization
(ORV). In the amended application, the applicant is proposing a
``closed-loop'' system using submerged combustion vaporization with
selective catalytic reduction (SCV/SCR). Though similar, a more generic
SCV/SCR system was analyzed in detail in the Final EIS (FEIS) as an
alternative. The amended application provides expanded and refined
design information regarding the proposed changes. The EA was prepared
to provide analysis of the actual SCV/SCR design now being proposed and
to determine if there were any significant impacts resulting from this
change in proposed regassification technology in addition to or
different from those previously assessed in the FEIS. The original
application and environmental analysis contained in the FEIS still
apply, including facilities, offshore and onshore pipelines, and salt
cavern gas storage. Previous comments on the FEIS and application will
continue to be considered in this process and need not be repeated.
Based upon the EA, we have determined that the project changes as
proposed in this amended application will not have a significant impact
on the environment and we are therefore issuing a Draft Finding of No
Significant Impact (FONSI) for public review and comment.
DATES: Public hearings will be held in Grand Bay, Alabama on October 3,
2006; Pascagoula, Mississippi on October 4, 2006; and New Orleans,
Louisiana, on October 5, 2006. Each public hearing will begin at 6 p.m.
and end at 8 p.m., and will be preceded by an informational open house
from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. The public hearings may end later than the
stated time, depending on the number of attendees requesting to speak.
Material submitted in response to the request for comments must
reach the Docket Management Facility on or before November 6, 2006,
which is the end of the 45 day public comment period. Federal and State
agencies must submit comments on the application as amended,
recommended conditions for licensing, or letters of no objection by
November 20, 2006 (45 days after the final public hearings). Also by
November 20, 2006 the Governors of the adjacent coastal states of
Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi may approve, disapprove, or notify
MARAD of inconsistencies with State programs relating to environmental
protection, land and water use, and coastal zone management, in which
case MARAD will condition any license granted to make it consistent
with state programs. MARAD will issue a record of decision (ROD) to
approve, approve with conditions, or deny the DWP license application
by January 3, 2007 (90 days after the final public hearing).
ADDRESSES: The first public hearing and informational open house will
be held on October 3, 2006, at the Grand Bay St. Elmo Community Center,
11610 Highway 90 West, Grand Bay, Alabama, phone: 251-865-4010. The
second public hearing and informational open house will be held on
October 4, 2006, at the La Font Inn, 2703 Denny Avenue, Pascagoula,
Mississippi, phone: 228-762-7111. The third public hearing and
informational open house will be held on October 5, 2006, at the New
Orleans Marriott, 555 Canal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, phone: 504-
581-1000.
A copy of the EA, FEIS, license application, license application
amendment, comments and associated documentation is available for view
at the DOT's docket management Web site: https://dms.dot.gov under
docket number 17696. Copies of the EA and FEIS are also available for
review at the
[[Page 56220]]
Pascagoula Jackson-George Regional Headquarters Public Library,
Pascagoula, MS, 228-769-3227 ; Bayou La Batre City Public Library, AL,
251-824-4213; Mobile Public Main Library, AL, 251-208-7106; New Orleans
Public Main Library, LA, 504-529-7989.
Address docket submissions for USCG-2004-17696 to: Docket
Management Facility, U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
The Docket Management Facility accepts hand-delivered submissions
and makes docket contents available for public inspection and copying,
at this address, in room PL-401, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Facility's telephone is
202-366-9329, its fax is 202-493-2251, and its Web site for electronic
submissions or for electronic access to docket contents is https://
dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roddy C. Bachman, U.S. Coast Guard,
telephone: 202-372-1451, e-mail: Roddy.C.Bachman@uscg.mil. If you have
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager,
Docket Operations, telephone: 202-493-0402.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Hearings, Open Houses and Request for Comments
We invite you to learn about the proposed deepwater port at the
informational open houses. We also invite you to comment at the public
hearings on the proposed action and the evaluation contained in the
FEIS, EA, the license application and amendment. Relevant comments
previously submitted on the FEIS and the application will continue to
be considered in the license application process and need not be
resubmitted. Speaker registration will be available at the door. In
order to allow everyone a chance to speak, we may limit speaker time,
or extend the hearing hours, or both. You must identify yourself, and
any organization you represent, by name. Your remarks will be recorded
or transcribed for inclusion in the public docket.
You may submit written material at the public hearing, either in
place of or in addition to speaking. Written material must include your
name and address, and will be included in the public docket. Public
docket materials will be made available to the public on the Docket
Management Facility's Docket Management System (DMS). See ''Request for
Comments'' for information about DMS and your rights under the Privacy
Act.
If you plan to attend either the open house or the public hearing,
and need special assistance such as sign language interpretation or
other reasonable accommodation, please notify the Coast Guard (see FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT) at least 3 business days in advance.
Include your contact information as well as information about your
specific needs.
You can submit material to the Docket Management Facility during
the public comment period (see DATES). MARAD and the Coast Guard will
consider all comments submitted during the public comment period.
Submissions should include:
Docket number USCG-2004-17696.
Your name and address.
Your reasons for making each comment or for bringing
information to our attention.
Submit comments or material using only one of the following
methods:
Electronic submission to DMS, https://dms.dot.gov.
Fax, mail, or hand delivery to the Docket Management
Facility (see ADDRESSES). Faxed or hand delivered submissions must be
unbound, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, and suitable for copying
and electronic scanning. If you mail your submission and want to know
when it reaches the Facility, include a stamped, self-addressed
postcard or envelope. Regardless of the method used for submitting
comments or material, all submissions will be posted, without change,
to the DMS Web site (https://dms.dot.gov), and will include any personal
information you provide. Therefore, submitting this information makes
it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act notice that is
available on the DMS Web site, or the Department of Transportation
Privacy Act Statement that appeared in the Federal Register on April
11, 2000 (65 FR 19477).
You may view docket submissions at the Docket Management Facility
(see ADDRESSES), or electronically on the DMS Web site.
Proposed Action
We published a notice of application for the proposed Main Pass
Energy Hub deepwater port at 69 FR 32363 (June 9, 2004); a notice of
intent to prepare an EIS at 69 FR 45337 (July 29, 2004); announced the
availability of the draft EIS (DEIS) at 70 FR 35277 (June 17, 2005);
the Final EIS at 71 FR 13213 (March 14, 2006); and the amended
application, intent to prepare an EA, and request for comments at 71 FR
45899 (August 10, 2006). The proposed action requiring environmental
review is the Federal licensing decision on the proposed deepwater port
application as originally submitted and subsequently amended.
Alternatives Being Considered
The alternatives available for this action are: (1) License the
facility according to the application as amended, (2) license the
facility according to the application as amended with conditions
(including conditions designed to mitigate environmental impact), and
(3) deny the application, which for purposes of environmental review is
the ``no-action'' alternative. These alternatives are more fully
discussed in the FEIS and EA.
Background
MARAD and the Coast Guard, as the lead Federal agencies for the
license review process under the Deepwater Port Act (DWPA) and the
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), completed a Draft EIS that
was released on June 17, 2005. A Final EIS was released on March 14,
2006. To seek public involvement and comply with the requirements of
the DWPA and NEPA, open houses and public hearings were held in all
adjacent coastal states for: (1) Scoping, (2) the DEIS, and (3) the
FEIS in Grand Bay, Alabama; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Pascagoula,
Mississippi.
During this public review process, extensive public and agency
comments were submitted that discussed the project and both ``open-
loop'' ORV and ``closed-loop'' SCV technologies as reasonable
alternatives for the regasification technology. For this and other
reasons, the Final EIS included detailed discussion and evaluation of
both SCV and ORV technologies.
On May 5, 2005, Governor Blanco of Louisiana, exercising authority
granted under the DWPA, disapproved the Main Pass application based on
the use of ORV. In her letter of disapproval she indicated support for
closed-loop systems. On May 31, 2006, the Coast Guard and MARAD
received an amendment to the original application from the applicant.
The applicant in this amended application now proposes to change the
project to use SCV in place of ORV. On June 21, 2006, the Administrator
of MARAD issued a ROD stating that a license for the project as
originally planned would not be issued and no further action would be
taken on the application as originally submitted. MARAD and the Coast
Guard further determined that they would process the amended
application according to the applicable provisions of the DWPA and
NEPA.
The application amendment contains the actual SCV/SCR design that
would
[[Page 56221]]
be used. Because a more generic SCV/SCR system was fully evaluated as a
reasonable alternative in sufficient detail in the EIS to provide an
opportunity for in-depth public review, the Coast Guard and MARAD
determined, in coordination with other involved Federal agencies,
including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, that an
Environmental Assessment that incorporates by reference and tiers from
the FEIS would provide the appropriate level of NEPA review and
analysis. After the EA was completed, we determined that a FONSI for
the amended application was applicable for the action and that the
applicant's change in preferred regassification technology from ORV to
SCV/SCR that was previously evaluated in the FEIS would not have a
significant effect on the environment in addition to or different from
those impacts previously assessed and disclosed in the FEIS.
The EA describes the project changes and focuses on the evaluation
of the amendment, incorporating by reference and tiering from the FEIS.
Our review indicates the SCV/SCR proposal provides a reduction in
impacts in several key resource areas. In addition, a number of
comments from the public, and from State and Federal agencies discussed
and supported closed-loop SCV as a preferred alternative.
On August 10, 2006, (71 FR 45899) we provided notice of the
availability of the amended application; the intent to prepare an EA;
and request for comments.
Summary of the Application Amendment
In the original application, the applicant proposed open rack
vaporization (ORV) as their preferred alternative. In this application
amendment, the applicant is now proposing a ``closed-loop''
vaporization system known as submerged combustion vaporization with
selective catalytic reduction (SCV/SCR). This change would eliminate
seawater usage; replace water-cooled generators with low emission, air-
cooled gas turbine generators; propose use of sodium hydroxide to
neutralize the SCV process water; would move Platform No. 3 from its
current position to the Terminal to support vaporization equipment; and
make other minor changes to Terminal operations and infrastructure to
support SCV/SCR operations. Proposed non-Terminal construction and
operations were not changed by the amended application. All other
aspects of the original application and environmental analysis
contained in the EIS continue to apply, including facilities,
pipelines, and salt cavern gas storage.
SCV/SCR vaporization was analyzed in detail in the EIS as an
alternative technology (EIS Option 1d). In summary, the key differences
in this proposed change from the original ORV proposal (EIS Option 2b)
include:
Elimination of 134 million gallons per day of seawater
intake and discharge. Elimination of seawater intakes and outfall
structures. The SCV/SCR system uses no seawater.
Elimination of potential biological impacts from
vaporization seawater intake due to impingement or entrainment and
reduced discharge temperature plume.
Elimination of the use of sodium hypochlorite chlorination
requirements.
Discharge of 345,000 gallons per day (at peak 1.6 bcfd
vaporization) process water produced through SCV/SCR operation. Ph
would be managed between 6 and 9 through injection of 20% by weight
caustic soda solution (sodium hydroxide) into the stream. The
neutralization reaction produces sodium carbonate and water. This would
also require the addition of a 50,000 gallon storage tank.
Installation of eight SCV/SCR units (EIS Option 1d) as
replacements for the six ORV units previously proposed (EIS Option 2b).
Relocation and remodeling the existing MPEH Platform No. 3
to a position north of Bridge 11 between Platforms BS-8 and BS-Y7 to
accommodate three of the eight SCV/SCR vaporizers and three gas turbine
generators relocated from Platform No. 1. Existing well conductors and
jacket main piles would be removed and the jacket installed on the new
site. Structural and system modifications to the deck of existing
Platform BS-8 and existing Bridge No. 11 would also be required.
Injection of 240 gallons per day of 19.5% (by weight)
aqueous ammonia solution into the gas stream of the SCR. This would
require installation of a 7200 gallon tank.
Operational air emissions of the SCV/SCR amendment are
reduced from the original proposal. Total emissions attributed to
construction over 5 years would be approximately 7% higher than the
original proposal due to the need to move one platform.
Direct burning of 1-1.5% of natural gas for LNG
vaporization--removing this resource from the nation's energy supply.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Certificate of Public Convenience
and Necessity
The onshore portion of this project shoreward of the mean high
water line falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC). Freeport-McMoRan has received FERC
authorization to construct and operate the Coden pipeline conditioned
on receiving the license for the DWP from MARAD (FERC Order Issuing
Certificate issued May 18, 2006, FERC Docket Nos. CP04-68 and CP04-69).
This is the 5.1 mile Bayou La Batre alternative in the FEIS.
Department of Army Permits
On July 22, 2005, the New Orleans District, Army Corps of Engineers
issued a joint public notice advising all interested parties of the
proposed activity for which Department of the Army Section 404 and
Section 10 permits are being sought, and solicited comments and
information necessary to evaluate the probable impact on the public
interest. This comment period is now closed. As this amendment falls
under the environmental review of the DWPA, and not Section 10 of the
Rivers and Harbors Act and does not change the Section 404 and Section
10 reviews, an additional comment period is not required by the Army
Corps of Engineers.
Dated: September 21, 2006.
By order of the Maritime Administrator.
Joel C. Richard,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-15756 Filed 9-25-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-81-P
