Freeport LNG Development, LP; Freeport LNG Expansion, LP; FLNG Liquefaction LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Liquefaction Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting, 53440-53442 [2011-21799]

Download as PDF 53440 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY FERC Contact: Michael Spencer, (202) 502–6093. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Deadline for filing comments, motions to intervene, competing applications (without notices of intent), or notices of intent to file competing applications: 60 days from the issuance of this notice. Competing applications and notices of intent must meet the requirements of 18 CFR 4.36. Comments, motions to intervene, notices of intent, and competing applications may be filed electronically via the Internet. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission’s Web site (https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ ferconline.asp) under the ‘‘eFiling’’ link. For a simpler method of submitting textonly comments, click on ‘‘Quick Comment.’’ For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov; call tollfree at (866) 208–3676; or, for TTY, contact (202) 502–8659. Although the Commission strongly encourages electronic filing, documents may also be paper-filed. To paper-file, mail an original and eight copies to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426. More information about this project, including a copy of the application, can be viewed or printed on the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link of the Commission’s Web site at https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ elibrary.asp. Enter the docket number (P–12851–002, or P–14082–000) in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC Online Support. Dated: August 19, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. the Liquefaction Project (Project) involving construction and operation of facilities proposed by Freeport LNG Development, LP, Freeport LNG Expansion, LP, and FLNG Liquefaction LLC (collectively referred to as Freeport) in Brazoria County, Texas. 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 will help the Commission staff determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that the scoping period will close on September 19, 2011. Comments may be submitted in written form or verbally. Further details on how to submit written comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice. In lieu of or in addition to sending written comments, the Commission invites you to attend the public scoping meeting scheduled as follows: FERC Public Scoping Meeting, Freeport Liquefaction Project, 7 p.m.— Thursday, September 8, 2011. Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 Highway 332 E, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, (979) 415–2600. 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. Summary of the Planned Project [Project No. 12851–002; Project No. 14082– 000] Free Flow Power Corporation; Northland Power Mississippi River LLC; Notice of Competing Preliminary Permit Applications Accepted for Filing and Soliciting Comments, Motions To Intervene, and Competing Applications emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Free Flow Power Corporation (Free Flow) and Northland Power Mississippi River LLC (Northland) filed preliminary permit applications, pursuant to section 4(f) of the Federal Power Act, proposing to study the feasibility of developing hydropower projects hydropower on the Mississippi River, near the town of New Orleans, in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes, Louisiana. Both applications were filed electronically and given the filing date of February 1, 2011, at 8:30 AM. The sole purpose of a preliminary permit, if issued, is to grant the permit holder priority to file a license application during the permit term. A preliminary permit does not authorize the permit holder to perform any landdisturbing activities or otherwise enter upon lands or waters owned by others without the owners’ express permission. The proposed projects are described as follows: Free Flow’s hydrokinetic Project, Project No. 12851–002 would consist of: (1) Up to 2,250 SmartTurbine generating units installed in arrays on the bottom of the river; (2) the total capacity of the installation would be up to 90,000 kilowatts; (3) flexible cables would convey each arrays power to a metering station; and (4) a transmission line would interconnect with the power grid. The proposed project would have an average annual generation of 197,100,000 kilowatthours (kWh), which would be sold to a local utility. Northland’s hydrokinetic Project, Project No. 14082–000 would consist of: (1) Up to 150 TREK generating units installed in a matrix on the bottom of the river; (2) the total capacity of the installation would be up to 38,000 kilowatts; (3) shielded underwater cables would convey each matrix power to a substation; and (4) a transmission line would interconnect with the power grid. The proposed project would have an average annual generation of 329,000,000 gigawatthours (GWh), which would be sold to a local utility. Applicants Contact: For Free Flow: Ramya Swaminathan, Free Flow Power Corporation, 239 Causeway Street, Boston, MA 02114; phone (978) 283–2822. For Northland: Tim Richardson, 30 St. Clair Avenue West 17th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; phone (416) 820–9521. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:37 Aug 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 [FR Doc. 2011–21813 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. PF11–2–000] Freeport LNG Development, LP; Freeport LNG Expansion, LP; FLNG Liquefaction LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Liquefaction Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will discuss the environmental impacts of PO 00000 Frm 00044 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Freeport plans to add natural gas liquefaction and exportation capabilities to its existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal on Quintana Island in Brazoria County, Texas. The Project would consist of the construction and installation of facilities to be used for liquefaction and export of domestic natural gas. In addition, A nonjurisdictional pretreatment facility would be constructed and operated at or near the Stratton Ridge underground storage and meter station sites. The planned facilities would consist of the following components: • Three natural gas liquefaction refrigerant units; • Expansion of existing Quintana Island Terminal Facility components; and • The nonjurisdictional natural gas pre-treatment systems, additional compression, and minor modifications in the Stratton Ridge Meter Station area. E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM 26AUN1 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices In addition, a second ship berthing area, third LNG storage tank, and additional LNG vaporization and natural gas send-out facilities that were previously authorized under FERC Docket CP05–361–000 but never constructed would be repurposed to meet the needs of the Project. Freeport indicates that the Project would produce about 12.0 million metric tons per year of LNG. This would allow Freeport to convert domestically produced natural gas to LNG for storage and export. Freeport LNG plans to commence construction in December 2012 and expects to be ready to commence LNG exports in late- 2015. The general location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix 1.1 Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 116.9 acres of land on Quintana Island. Additional land would be required for the pre-treatment facilities near Stratton Ridge Meter Station. Following construction, about 76 acres would be maintained for permanent operation of the project’s facilities on Quintana Island; the remaining acreage may be restored and allowed to revert to former uses. The EA Process The National Environmental Policy Act (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 planned project under these general headings: • Geology and soils; emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES 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. 2 ‘‘We,’’ ‘‘us,’’ and ‘‘our’’ refer to the environmental staff of the Commission’s Office of Energy Projects. VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:37 Aug 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 • Water resources, and fisheries; • Vegetation and wildlife; • Cultural resources; • Socioeconomics; • Land use; • Air quality and noise; and • Reliability and public safety. We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned project or portions of the project, 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. Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in the EA. The EA will be placed in the public record and, depending on the comments received during the scoping process, may be published and distributed to the public. A comment period will be allotted if the EA is published for review. 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 5. 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. 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 the Texas State Historic Preservation Office, 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 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 53441 properties.3 We will define the projectspecific Area of Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project is further developed. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance. 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 Freeport. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis. • Air Quality • Noise and vibration impacts • Socioeconomic impacts • Geology • Wetlands and waterbodies • Threatened and endangered species • Public safety 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 September 19, 2011. 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 PF11–2–000 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 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. E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM 26AUN1 53442 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 166 / Friday, August 26, 2011 / Notices 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. emcdonald on DSK2BSOYB1PROD with NOTICES Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Indian 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. If the 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 2). Becoming an Intervenor Once Freeport 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 VerDate Mar<15>2010 19:37 Aug 25, 2011 Jkt 223001 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., PF11–2–000). 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 summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ esubscribenow.htm. Finally, 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. Dated: August 18, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–21799 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. ER11–4326–000] Viridian Energy MD LLC; Supplemental Notice That Initial Market-Based Rate Filing Includes Request for Blanket Section 204 Authorization This is a supplemental notice in the above-referenced proceeding of Viridian Energy MD LLC’s application for PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 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 September 7, 2011. 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 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. Dated: August 18, 2011. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2011–21792 Filed 8–25–11; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P E:\FR\FM\26AUN1.SGM 26AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53440-53442]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21799]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF11-2-000]


Freeport LNG Development, LP; Freeport LNG Expansion, LP; FLNG 
Liquefaction LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental 
Assessment for the Planned Liquefaction Project, Request for Comments 
on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting

    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 Liquefaction Project (Project) 
involving construction and operation of facilities proposed by Freeport 
LNG Development, LP, Freeport LNG Expansion, LP, and FLNG Liquefaction 
LLC (collectively referred to as Freeport) in Brazoria County, Texas. 
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 will help the Commission staff 
determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that 
the scoping period will close on September 19, 2011.
    Comments may be submitted in written form or verbally. Further 
details on how to submit written comments are provided in the Public 
Participation section of this notice. In lieu of or in addition to 
sending written comments, the Commission invites you to attend the 
public scoping meeting scheduled as follows:

FERC Public Scoping Meeting, Freeport Liquefaction Project, 7 p.m.--
Thursday, September 8, 2011.
Lake Jackson Civic Center, 333 Highway 332 E, Lake Jackson, TX 77566, 
(979) 415-2600.

    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.

Summary of the Planned Project

    Freeport plans to add natural gas liquefaction and exportation 
capabilities to its existing liquefied natural gas (LNG) import 
terminal on Quintana Island in Brazoria County, Texas. The Project 
would consist of the construction and installation of facilities to be 
used for liquefaction and export of domestic natural gas. In addition, 
A nonjurisdictional pretreatment facility would be constructed and 
operated at or near the Stratton Ridge underground storage and meter 
station sites.
    The planned facilities would consist of the following components:
     Three natural gas liquefaction refrigerant units;
     Expansion of existing Quintana Island Terminal Facility 
components; and
     The nonjurisdictional natural gas pre-treatment systems, 
additional compression, and minor modifications in the Stratton Ridge 
Meter Station area.

[[Page 53441]]

    In addition, a second ship berthing area, third LNG storage tank, 
and additional LNG vaporization and natural gas send-out facilities 
that were previously authorized under FERC Docket CP05-361-000 but 
never constructed would be repurposed to meet the needs of the Project.
    Freeport indicates that the Project would produce about 12.0 
million metric tons per year of LNG. This would allow Freeport to 
convert domestically produced natural gas to LNG for storage and 
export. Freeport LNG plans to commence construction in December 2012 
and expects to be ready to commence LNG exports in late- 2015.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in Appendix 
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 116.9 
acres of land on Quintana Island. Additional land would be required for 
the pre-treatment facilities near Stratton Ridge Meter Station. 
Following construction, about 76 acres would be maintained for 
permanent operation of the project's facilities on Quintana Island; the 
remaining acreage may be restored and allowed to revert to former uses.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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;
     Vegetation and wildlife;
     Cultural resources;
     Socioeconomics;
     Land use;
     Air quality and noise; and
     Reliability and public safety.
    We will also evaluate possible alternatives to the planned project 
or portions of the project, 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.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in the EA. 
The EA will be placed in the public record and, depending on the 
comments received during the scoping process, may be published and 
distributed to the public. A comment period will be allotted if the EA 
is published for review. 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 5.
    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.

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 the Texas State Historic Preservation Office, 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 as the project is further 
developed. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a minimum 
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance. Our EA for this 
project will document our findings on the impacts on historic 
properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 Freeport. This preliminary 
list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
     Air Quality
     Noise and vibration impacts
     Socioeconomic impacts
     Geology
     Wetlands and waterbodies
     Threatened and endangered species
     Public safety

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 September 19, 
2011.
    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 PF11-2-000 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

[[Page 53442]]

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; Indian 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.
    If the 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 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Freeport 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., PF11-2-000). 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 summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Finally, 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.

    Dated: August 18, 2011.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2011-21799 Filed 8-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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