Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, 68347-68350 [2010-27991]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 214 / Friday, November 5, 2010 / Notices
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Combined Notice of Filings No. 1
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October 28, 2010.
Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Docket Numbers: RP11–1434–000.
Applicants: Alliance Pipeline LP.
Description: Alliance Pipeline LP
submits tariff filing per 154.204: Nov
March Auction to be effective 11/1/
2010.
Filed Date: 10/27/2010.
Accession Number: 20101027–5054.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on Monday, November 08, 2010.
Docket Numbers: RP11–1435–000.
Applicants: Columbia Gulf
Transmission Company.
Description: Columbia Gulf
Transmission Company submits tariff
filing per 154.312: Rate Case—Case-InChief to be effective 12/1/2010.
Filed Date: 10/28/2010.
Accession Number: 20101028–5026.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on Tuesday, November 09, 2010.
Docket Numbers: RP11–1436–000.
Applicants: Great Lakes Gas
Transmission Limited Partnership.
Description: Great Lakes Gas
Transmission Limited Partnership
submits tariff filing per 154.601: Section
8—Negotiated Rates to be effective 11/
1/2010.
Filed Date: 10/28/2010.
Accession Number: 20101028–5039.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on Tuesday, November 09, 2010.
Docket Numbers: RP11–1437–000.
Applicants: Rockies Express Pipeline
LLC.
Description: Rockies Express Pipeline
LLC submits tariff filing per 154.204:
Negotiated Rate 2010–10–28 Enserco,
Concord to be effective 11/1/2010.
Filed Date: 10/28/2010.
Accession Number: 20101028–5047.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on Tuesday, November 09, 2010.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest in any of the above proceedings
must file in accordance with Rules 211
and 214 of the Commission’s Rules of
Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211
and 385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern
time on the specified comment date. It
is not necessary to separately intervene
again in a subdocket related to a
compliance filing if you have previously
intervened in the same docket. Protests
will be considered by the Commission
in determining the appropriate action to
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be taken, but will not serve to make
protestants parties to the proceeding.
Anyone filing a motion to intervene or
protest must serve a copy of that
document on the Applicant. In reference
to filings initiating a new proceeding,
interventions or protests submitted on
or before the comment deadline need
not be served on persons other than the
Applicant.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
service, persons with Internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
should submit an original and 14 copies
of the intervention or protest to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First St., NE., Washington, DC
20426.
The filings in the above proceedings
are accessible in the Commission’s
eLibrary system by clicking on the
appropriate link in the above list. They
are also available for review in the
Commission’s Public Reference Room in
Washington, DC. There is an
eSubscription link on the Web site that
enables subscribers to receive e-mail
notification when a document is added
to a subscribed docket(s). For assistance
with any FERC Online service, please email FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or
call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY,
call (202) 502–8659.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–28027 Filed 11–4–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. PF10–24–000]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, and
Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.; Notice of Intent
To Prepare an Environmental
Assessment for the Planned Sabine
Pass Liquefaction Project and Request
for Comments on Environmental
Issues
October 29, 2010.
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an
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68347
environmental assessment (EA) that will
discuss the environmental impacts of
the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project
(Project) involving construction and
operation of facilities by Sabine Pass
Liquefaction LLC, and Sabine Pass LNG,
L.P. (collectively referred to as Sabine
Pass) in Cameron County, Louisiana.
This EA will be used by the
Commission in its decision-making
process to determine whether the
Project is in the public convenience and
necessity.
This notice announces the opening of
the scoping process the Commission
will use to gather input from the public
and interested agencies on the project.
Your input during the scoping process
will help the Commission staff
determine what issues need to be
evaluated in the EA. The Commission
staff will also use the scoping process to
help determine whether preparation of
an environmental impact statement
(EIS) is more appropriate for this Project
based upon the potential significance of
the anticipated levels of impact. Please
note that the scoping period will close
on November 29, 2010. This is not your
only public input opportunity; please
refer to the Environmental Review
Process flow chart in Appendix 1.1
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for this Project. State and
local government representatives are
asked to notify their constituents of this
planned Project and encourage them to
comment on their areas of concern.
Involvement of U.S. Department of
Energy
The FERC is the lead federal agency
in preparation of an EA that will satisfy
the requirements of the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of
Fossil Energy (DOE) has agreed to
participate as a cooperating agency in
the preparation of the EA to satisfy its
NEPA responsibilities. DOE proposes to
authorize Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC
to export liquefied natural gas (LNG)
from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal
(SPLNG Terminal) if DOE determines
that such export is in the public interest.
The DOE must meet its obligation
under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act
of 1938, as amended (NGA), to authorize
the import and export of natural gas,
1 The appendices referenced in this notice are not
being printed in the Federal Register. Copies of
appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail and are available at https://
www.ferc.gov using the link called ‘‘eLibrary’’ or
from the Commission’s Public Reference Room, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call
(202) 502–8371. For instructions on connecting to
eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.
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including LNG, unless it finds that the
proposed import or export will not be
consistent with the public interest. The
purpose and need for DOE action is to
respond to the September 7, 2010,
application filed with DOE (FE Docket
No. 10–111–LNG) by Sabine Pass
Liquefaction, LLC, in conjunction with
the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project.
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC has
applied to DOE for blanket
authorization to export up to 16 million
metric tons per annum (mtpa) of
domestic natural gas as LNG for a 20year period, commencing the earlier of
the date of first export or five years from
the date of issuance of the requested
authorization, from the Sabine Pass LNG
Terminal to any country: (1) With which
the United States does not have a free
trade agreement requiring the national
treatment for trade in natural gas and
LNG; (2) that has, or in the future
develops, the capacity to import LNG;
and (3) with which trade is not
prohibited by U.S. law or policy.
Summary of the Planned Project Before
FERC
Sabine Pass plans to add natural gas
liquefaction and exportation capabilities
to the existing Sabine Pass LNG Import
Terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
The Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project
would consist of the construction and
installation of facilities to be used for
the liquefaction and exportation of
natural gas. All Project facilities would
be constructed and operated within the
existing 853-acre SPLNG Terminal Site.
Sabine Pass plans to construct the
Project in two stages, with anticipated
in-service starting in January 2015.
The Project would be capable of
processing an average of approximately
2.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of
pipeline quality natural gas from the
Creole Trail Pipeline, which
interconnects with the SPLNG
Terminal. Sabine Pass would liquefy the
natural gas, store the LNG, and export
approximately 16 mtpa of LNG via LNG
carriers.
According to Sabine Pass, its Project
would improve the outlook for domestic
natural gas production, owing to drilling
productivity gains that have enabled
rapid growth in supplies from
unconventional, and particularly shale,
gas-bearing formations in the United
States. The exportation of LNG would
provide a market solution to allow the
further deliberate development of these
sources of natural gas.
More specifically, the Project would
consist of the following facilities:
• Four LNG liquefaction trains (each
train contains gas treatment facilities,
six gas turbine-driven refrigerant
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compressors, waste heat recovery
systems, induced draft air coolers, fire
and gas detection and safety systems,
control systems, and associated
infrastructure);
• Additional power generation
(including up to two gas turbine-driven
generators, transformers, and other
electrical accessories to supplement
existing onsite power generation);
• Other infrastructure and
modifications (including storage tanks
for propane and ethylene refrigerants
and the amine make up, replacement of
in-tank LNG pumps and piping
modifications to increase flow capacity
and facilitate loading of LNG carriers,
impoundments for the liquefaction
trains, flares, recycle boil-off gas
compressors, potable water, service
water, and demineralized water
systems); and
• New and remodeled buildings.
In addition, a LNG storage tank and
impoundment that were previously
authorized under FERC Docket CP05–
396–000 but not built would be
constructed to provide additional LNG
storage for the Project.
The general location of the Project
facilities is shown in Appendix 2.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the planned facilities
would disturb about 243 acres of land.
Following construction, about 203 acres
would be maintained for permanent
operation of the Project’s facilities; the
remaining acreage would be restored
and allowed to revert to former uses. All
planned activities would occur within
the existing 853-acre SPLNG Terminal
site.
The EA Process
NEPA requires the Commission to
take into account the environmental
impacts that could result from an action
whenever it considers the issuance of a
Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity. NEPA also requires us 2 to
discover and address concerns the
public may have about proposals. This
process is referred to as scoping. The
main goal of the scoping process is to
focus the analysis in the EA on the
important environmental issues. By this
notice, the Commission requests public
comments on the scope of the issues to
address in the EA. All comments
received will be considered during the
preparation of the EA.
In the EA we will discuss impacts that
could occur as a result of the
construction and operation of the
2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental
staff of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects.
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planned Project under these general
headings:
• Geology and soils;
• water resources and fisheries;
• floodplains and wetlands;
• vegetation and wildlife;
• endangered and threatened species;
• socioeconomics;
• land use;
• cultural resources;
• air quality and noise; and
• public safety.
We will also evaluate possible
alternatives to the planned Project or
portions of the Project, including the no
action alternative, and make
recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid impacts on the various resource
areas.
Although no formal application has
been filed, we have already initiated our
NEPA review under the Commission’s
Pre-filing Process. The purpose of the
Pre-filing Process is to encourage early
involvement of interested stakeholders
and to identify and resolve issues before
an application is filed with the FERC.
As part of our pre-filing review, we have
begun to contact some federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in
the scoping process and the preparation
of the EA. In addition, representatives
from FERC participated in the public
open house sponsored by Sabine Pass in
the Project area in September 2010 to
explain the Environmental Review
Process to interested stakeholders.
Our independent analysis of the
issues will be presented in the EA. If the
Commission staff determines the
preparation of an EA is appropriate, the
EA will be placed in the public record
and be published and distributed to the
public. A comment period will be
allotted when the EA is noticed. We will
consider all comments on the EA before
we make our recommendations to the
Commission. To ensure your comments
are considered, please carefully follow
the instructions in the Public
Participation section beginning on page
6.
With this notice, we are asking
agencies with jurisdiction and/or
special expertise with respect to
environmental issues to formally
cooperate with us in the preparation of
the EA. These agencies may choose to
participate once they have evaluated the
proposal relative to their
responsibilities. Agencies that would
like to request cooperating agency status
should follow the instructions for filing
comments provided under the Public
Participation section of this notice.
Currently, the DOE has expressed its
intention to participate as a cooperating
agency in the preparation of the EA to
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satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related
to this Project.
Consultations 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, we are using this
notice to initiate consultation with
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.3 We will define the
project-specific Area of Potential Effects
(APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s)
as the Project is further developed. On
natural gas facility projects, the APE at
a minimum encompasses all areas
subject to ground disturbance (examples
include construction right-of-way,
contractor/pipe storage yards,
compressor stations, and access roads).
Our EA for this Project will document
our findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
Currently Identified Environmental
Issues
We have already identified several
issues that we think deserve attention
based on a preliminary review of the
planned facilities and the
environmental information provided by
Sabine Pass. This preliminary list of
issues may be changed based on your
comments and our analysis.
• Floodplains;
• Socioeconomics;
• Air quality; and
• Public safety.
Notice of Floodplain Involvement
Because the proposed Project may
involve actions in floodplains, in
accordance with Title 10 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, Part 1022,
Compliance with Floodplain and
Wetland Environmental Review
Requirements, the EA will include a
floodplain assessment as appropriate,
and a floodplain statement of findings
will be included in any DOE finding of
no significant impact.
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
Public Participation
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
3 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s
regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 800. Historic properties are
defined in those regulations as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object
included in or eligible for inclusion in the National
Register for Historic Places.
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comments or concerns about the Project.
Your comments should focus on the
potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to
avoid or lessen environmental impacts.
The more specific your comments, the
more useful they will be. To ensure that
your comments are timely and properly
recorded, please send your comments so
that they will be received in
Washington, DC on or before November
29, 2010.
For your convenience, there are three
methods you can use to submit your
comments to the Commission. In all
instances, please reference the Project
docket number PF10–24–000 with your
submission. The Commission
encourages electronic filing of
comments and has expert eFiling staff
available to assist you at (202) 502–8258
or efiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You may file your comments
electronically by using the eComment
feature, which is located on the
Commission’s Web site at https://
www.ferc.gov under the link to
Documents and Filings. An eComment
is an easy method for interested persons
to submit brief, text-only comments on
a project;
(2) You may file your comments
electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the
Commission’s Web site at https://
www.ferc.gov under the link to
Documents and Filings. 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 may mail a paper copy of your
comments to the Commission at the
following address: Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street, NE.,
Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list
includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and
agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest
groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries
and newspapers. This list also includes
all affected landowners (as defined in
the Commission’s regulations) who are
potential right-of-way grantors, whose
property may be used temporarily for
project purposes, or who own homes
within certain distances of aboveground
facilities, and anyone who submits
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68349
comments on the Project. We will
update the environmental mailing list as
the analysis proceeds to ensure that we
send the information related to this
environmental review to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities
interested in and/or potentially affected
by the planned Project.
When an EA is published for
distribution, copies will be sent to the
environmental mailing list for public
review and comment. If you would
prefer to receive a paper copy of the
document instead of the CD version or
would like to remove your name from
the mailing list, please return the
attached Information Request
(Appendix 3).
Becoming an Intervenor
Once Sabine Pass files its application
with the Commission, you may want to
become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an
official party to the Commission’s
proceeding. Intervenors play a more
formal role in the process and are able
to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be
heard by the courts if they choose to
appeal the Commission’s final ruling.
An intervenor formally participates in
the proceeding by filing a request to
intervene. Instructions for becoming an
intervenor are included in the User’s
Guide under the ‘‘e-filing’’ link on the
Commission’s Web site. Please note that
the Commission will not accept requests
for intervenor status at this time. You
must wait until a formal application for
the Project is filed with the
Commission.
Additional Information
Additional information about the
Project is available from the
Commission’s Office of External Affairs,
at (866) 208–FERC, or on the FERC Web
site (https://www.ferc.gov) using the
eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link,
click on ‘‘General Search’’ and enter the
docket number, excluding the last three
digits in the Docket Number field (i.e.,
PF10–24). Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance,
please contact FERC Online Support at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free
at (866) 208–3676, or for TTY, contact
(202) 502–8659. The eLibrary link also
provides access to the texts of formal
documents issued by the Commission,
such as orders, notices, and
rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission offers a
free service called eSubscription which
allows you to keep track of all formal
issuances and submittals in specific
dockets. This can reduce the amount of
time you spend researching proceedings
by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document
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summaries, and direct links to the
documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/
esubscribenow.htm.
Public meetings or site visits will be
posted on the Commission’s calendar
located at https://www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along
with other related information.
Finally, Sabine Pass has established a
Web site for this Project at https://
www.cheniere.com. The Web site
includes a Project overview, timeline,
environmental information, and
answers to frequently asked questions.
You can also request additional
information by contacting Patricia
Outtrim at Sabine Pass via e-mail at
pat.outtrim@cheniere.com or by calling
(713) 375–5212.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC
20426.
This filing is accessible on-line at
https://www.ferc.gov, using the
‘‘eLibrary’’ link and is available for
review in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC.
There is an ‘‘eSubscription’’ link on the
Web site that enables subscribers to
receive e-mail notification when a
document is added to a subscribed
docket(s). For assistance with any FERC
Online service, please e-mail
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, or call
(866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202) 502–8659.
Comment Date: 5 p.m. Eastern Time
on November 19, 2010.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–27989 Filed 11–4–10; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2010–27991 Filed 11–4–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER11–1881–000]
[Docket No. ID–6422–000]
Fischer, Thomas J.; Notice of Filing
mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES
October 29, 2010.
Take notice that on October 29, 2010,
Thomas J. Fischer filed an Application
for Authorization to Hold Interlocking
Positions as Director of Wisconsin
Electric Power Company, Director of
Actuant Corporation, and Director of
Regal-Beloit Corporation, pursuant to
section 305(b) of the Federal Power Act.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest this filing must file in
accordance with Rules 211 and 214 of
the Commission’s Rules of Practice and
Procedure (18 CFR 385.211, 385.214).
Protests will be considered by the
Commission in determining the
appropriate action to be taken, but will
not serve to make protestants parties to
the proceeding. Any person wishing to
become a party must file a notice of
intervention or motion to intervene, as
appropriate. Such notices, motions, or
protests must be filed on or before the
comment date. On or before the
comment date, it is not necessary to
serve motions to intervene or protests
on persons other than the Applicant.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper using the
‘‘eFiling’’ link at https://www.ferc.gov.
Persons unable to file electronically
should submit an original and 14 copies
of the protest or intervention to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
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17:16 Nov 04, 2010
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service, persons with Internet access
who will eFile a document and/or be
listed as a contact for an intervenor
must create and validate an
eRegistration account using the
eRegistration link. Select the eFiling
link to log on and submit the
intervention or protests.
Persons unable to file electronically
should submit an original and 14 copies
of the intervention or protest to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC
20426.
The filings in the above-referenced
proceeding are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system by
clicking on the appropriate link in the
above list. They are also available for
review in the Commission’s Public
Reference Room in Washington, DC.
There is an eSubscription link on the
Web site that enables subscribers to
receive e-mail notification when a
document is added to a subscribed
dockets(s). For assistance with any
FERC Online service, please e-mail
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call
(866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call
(202) 502–8659.
Burley Butte Wind Park, LLC;
Supplemental Notice That Initial
Market-Based Rate Filing Includes
Request for Blanket Section 204
Authorization
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
October 28, 2010.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of Burley
Butte Wind Park, LLC’s application for
market-based rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that
such application includes a request for
blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
Part 34, of future issuances of securities
and assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
Notice is hereby given that the
deadline for filing protests with regard
to the applicant’s request for blanket
authorization, under 18 CFR part 34, of
future issuances of securities and
assumptions of liability, is November
18, 2010.
The Commission encourages
electronic submission of protests and
interventions in lieu of paper, using the
FERC Online links at https://
www.ferc.gov. To facilitate electronic
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[FR Doc. 2010–27951 Filed 11–4–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. ER11–1885–000]
Oregon Trail Wind Park, LLC;
Supplemental Notice That Initial
Market-Based Rate Filing Includes
Request for Blanket Section 204
Authorization
October 28, 2010.
This is a supplemental notice in the
above-referenced proceeding of Oregon
Trail Wind Park, LLC’s application for
market-based rate authority, with an
accompanying rate tariff, noting that
such application includes a request for
blanket authorization, under 18 CFR
part 34, of future issuances of securities
and assumptions of liability.
Any person desiring to intervene or to
protest should file with the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888
First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426,
in accordance with Rules 211 and 214
of the Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214). Anyone filing a motion to
intervene or protest must serve a copy
of that document on the Applicant.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 214 (Friday, November 5, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68347-68350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-27991]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF10-24-000]
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.; Notice
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Sabine
Pass Liquefaction Project and Request for Comments on Environmental
Issues
October 29, 2010.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will
discuss the environmental impacts of the Sabine Pass Liquefaction
Project (Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by
Sabine Pass Liquefaction LLC, and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (collectively
referred to as Sabine Pass) in Cameron County, Louisiana. This EA will
be used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine
whether the Project is in the public convenience and necessity.
This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies on the project. Your input during the scoping process will
help the Commission staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in
the EA. The Commission staff will also use the scoping process to help
determine whether preparation of an environmental impact statement
(EIS) is more appropriate for this Project based upon the potential
significance of the anticipated levels of impact. Please note that the
scoping period will close on November 29, 2010. This is not your only
public input opportunity; please refer to the Environmental Review
Process flow chart in Appendix 1.\1\
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\1\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to
all those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
https://www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary'' or from the
Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502-8371. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.
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This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this Project. State and local government
representatives are asked to notify their constituents of this planned
Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
Involvement of U.S. Department of Energy
The FERC is the lead federal agency in preparation of an EA that
will satisfy the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy (DOE)
has agreed to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of
the EA to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities. DOE proposes to authorize
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC to export liquefied natural gas (LNG)
from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal (SPLNG Terminal) if DOE determines
that such export is in the public interest.
The DOE must meet its obligation under section 3 of the Natural Gas
Act of 1938, as amended (NGA), to authorize the import and export of
natural gas,
[[Page 68348]]
including LNG, unless it finds that the proposed import or export will
not be consistent with the public interest. The purpose and need for
DOE action is to respond to the September 7, 2010, application filed
with DOE (FE Docket No. 10-111-LNG) by Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC,
in conjunction with the Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project. Sabine Pass
Liquefaction, LLC has applied to DOE for blanket authorization to
export up to 16 million metric tons per annum (mtpa) of domestic
natural gas as LNG for a 20-year period, commencing the earlier of the
date of first export or five years from the date of issuance of the
requested authorization, from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal to any
country: (1) With which the United States does not have a free trade
agreement requiring the national treatment for trade in natural gas and
LNG; (2) that has, or in the future develops, the capacity to import
LNG; and (3) with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy.
Summary of the Planned Project Before FERC
Sabine Pass plans to add natural gas liquefaction and exportation
capabilities to the existing Sabine Pass LNG Import Terminal in Cameron
Parish, Louisiana. The Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project would consist
of the construction and installation of facilities to be used for the
liquefaction and exportation of natural gas. All Project facilities
would be constructed and operated within the existing 853-acre SPLNG
Terminal Site. Sabine Pass plans to construct the Project in two
stages, with anticipated in-service starting in January 2015.
The Project would be capable of processing an average of
approximately 2.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of pipeline
quality natural gas from the Creole Trail Pipeline, which interconnects
with the SPLNG Terminal. Sabine Pass would liquefy the natural gas,
store the LNG, and export approximately 16 mtpa of LNG via LNG
carriers.
According to Sabine Pass, its Project would improve the outlook for
domestic natural gas production, owing to drilling productivity gains
that have enabled rapid growth in supplies from unconventional, and
particularly shale, gas-bearing formations in the United States. The
exportation of LNG would provide a market solution to allow the further
deliberate development of these sources of natural gas.
More specifically, the Project would consist of the following
facilities:
Four LNG liquefaction trains (each train contains gas
treatment facilities, six gas turbine-driven refrigerant compressors,
waste heat recovery systems, induced draft air coolers, fire and gas
detection and safety systems, control systems, and associated
infrastructure);
Additional power generation (including up to two gas
turbine-driven generators, transformers, and other electrical
accessories to supplement existing onsite power generation);
Other infrastructure and modifications (including storage
tanks for propane and ethylene refrigerants and the amine make up,
replacement of in-tank LNG pumps and piping modifications to increase
flow capacity and facilitate loading of LNG carriers, impoundments for
the liquefaction trains, flares, recycle boil-off gas compressors,
potable water, service water, and demineralized water systems); and
New and remodeled buildings.
In addition, a LNG storage tank and impoundment that were
previously authorized under FERC Docket CP05-396-000 but not built
would be constructed to provide additional LNG storage for the Project.
The general location of the Project facilities is shown in Appendix
2.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 243
acres of land. Following construction, about 203 acres would be
maintained for permanent operation of the Project's facilities; the
remaining acreage would be restored and allowed to revert to former
uses. All planned activities would occur within the existing 853-acre
SPLNG Terminal site.
The EA Process
NEPA requires the Commission to take into account the environmental
impacts that could result from an action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA
also requires us \2\ to discover and address concerns the public may
have about proposals. This process is referred to as scoping. The main
goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the
important environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests
public comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. All
comments received will be considered during the preparation of the EA.
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\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the planned Project under these
general headings:
Geology and soils;
water resources and fisheries;
floodplains and wetlands;
vegetation and wildlife;
endangered and threatened species;
socioeconomics;
land use;
cultural resources;
air quality and noise; and
public safety.
We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned Project
or portions of the Project, including the no action alternative, and
make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various
resource areas.
Although no formal application has been filed, we have already
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's Pre-filing Process.
The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage early involvement
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before an
application is filed with the FERC. As part of our pre-filing review,
we have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss
their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EA.
In addition, representatives from FERC participated in the public open
house sponsored by Sabine Pass in the Project area in September 2010 to
explain the Environmental Review Process to interested stakeholders.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in the EA.
If the Commission staff determines the preparation of an EA is
appropriate, the EA will be placed in the public record and be
published and distributed to the public. A comment period will be
allotted when the EA is noticed. We will consider all comments on the
EA before we make our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure your
comments are considered, please carefully follow the instructions in
the Public Participation section beginning on page 6.
With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction and/or
special expertise with respect to environmental issues to formally
cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA. These agencies may
choose to participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to
their responsibilities. Agencies that would like to request cooperating
agency status should follow the instructions for filing comments
provided under the Public Participation section of this notice.
Currently, the DOE has expressed its intention to participate as a
cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA to
[[Page 68349]]
satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to this Project.
Consultations 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, we are using this notice to initiate consultation
with 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.\3\ We will define the project-specific Area of Potential
Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s) as the Project is
further developed. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a
minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples
include construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards,
compressor stations, and access roads). Our EA for this Project will
document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and
summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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\3\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Historic
properties are defined in those regulations as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register for Historic
Places.
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Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have already identified several issues that we think deserve
attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and
the environmental information provided by Sabine Pass. This preliminary
list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
Floodplains;
Socioeconomics;
Air quality; and
Public safety.
Notice of Floodplain Involvement
Because the proposed Project may involve actions in floodplains, in
accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1022,
Compliance with Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review
Requirements, the EA will include a floodplain assessment as
appropriate, and a floodplain statement of findings will be included in
any DOE finding of no significant impact.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Project. Your comments should focus on
the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and
measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific
your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that your
comments are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so
that they will be received in Washington, DC on or before November 29,
2010.
For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit
your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the
Project docket number PF10-24-000 with your submission. The Commission
encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert eFiling staff
available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You may file your comments electronically by using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at https://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. An eComment is an
easy method for interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments
on a project;
(2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at https://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. 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 may mail a paper copy of your comments to the Commission at
the following address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC
20426.
Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits
comments on the Project. We will update the environmental mailing list
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the information related
to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations, and
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the
planned Project.
When an EA is published for distribution, copies will be sent to
the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you
would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD
version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please
return the attached Information Request (Appendix 3).
Becoming an Intervenor
Once Sabine Pass files its application with the Commission, you may
want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the
Commission's proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the
process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard
by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling.
An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a
request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are
included in the User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the
Commission's Web site. Please note that the Commission will not accept
requests for intervenor status at this time. You must wait until a
formal application for the Project is filed with the Commission.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC Web site (https://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on
the eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket
number, excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field
(i.e., PF10-24). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range.
For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY,
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
In addition, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with
notification of these filings, document
[[Page 68350]]
summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx
along with other related information.
Finally, Sabine Pass has established a Web site for this Project at
https://www.cheniere.com. The Web site includes a Project overview,
timeline, environmental information, and answers to frequently asked
questions. You can also request additional information by contacting
Patricia Outtrim at Sabine Pass via e-mail at pat.outtrim@cheniere.com
or by calling (713) 375-5212.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-27991 Filed 11-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
