Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC; Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Planned Corpus Christi LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting, 34034-34037 [2012-13875]
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 111 / Friday, June 8, 2012 / Notices
its application. If the licensee of such a
project has not filed an application for
a subsequent license, then it may be
required, pursuant to 18 CFR 16.21(b),
to continue project operations until the
Commission issues someone else a
license for the project or otherwise
orders disposition of the project.
If the project is subject to section 15
of the FPA, notice is hereby given that
an annual license for Project No. 2149
is issued to the Public Utility District
No. 1 of Douglas County for a period
effective June 1, 2012 through May 31,
2013, or until the issuance of a new
license for the project or other
disposition under the FPA, whichever
comes first. If issuance of a new license
(or other disposition) does not take
place on or before May 31, 2013, notice
is hereby given that, pursuant to 18 CFR
16.18(c), an annual license under
section 15(a)(1) of the FPA is renewed
automatically without further order or
notice by the Commission, unless the
Commission orders otherwise.
If the project is not subject to section
15 of the FPA, notice is hereby given
that the Public Utility District No. 1 of
Douglas County is authorized to
continue operation of the Wells
Hydroelectric Project, until such time as
the Commission acts on its application
for a subsequent license.
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/6/12.
Docket Numbers: RP12–752–000.
Applicants: White River Hub, LLC.
Description: Report of White River
Hub, LLC’s Annual Fuel Gas
Reimbursement Report.
Filed Date: 5/24/12.
Accession Number: 20120524–5204.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/5/12.
Docket Numbers: RP12–753–000.
Applicants: Gulf South Pipeline
Company, LP.
Description: Amendments related to
PXS service to be effective 6/1/2012.
Filed Date: 5/29/12.
Accession Number: 20120529–5036.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/11/12.
Any person desiring to intervene or
protest in any of the above proceedings
must file in accordance with Rules 211
and 214 of the Commission’s
Regulations (18 CFR 385.211 and
385.214) on or before 5 p.m. Eastern
time on the specified comment date.
Protests may be considered, but
intervention is necessary to become a
party to the proceeding.
The filings are accessible in the
Commission’s eLibrary system by
clicking on the links or querying the
docket number.
eFiling is encouraged. More detailed
information relating to filing
requirements, interventions, protests,
and service can be found at: https://
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/efiling/filingreq.pdf. For other information, call (866)
208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202)
502–8659.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Dated: May 29, 2012.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
Dated: May 31, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–13880 Filed 6–7–12; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Take notice that the Commission has
received the following Natural Gas
Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings:
Filings Instituting Proceedings
Docket Numbers: RP12–750–000.
Applicants: Questar Southern Trails
Pipeline Company.
Description: Report of Questar
Southern Trails Pipeline Company
Annual Fuel Gas Reimbursement
Report.
Filed Date: 5/24/12.
Accession Number: 20120524–5201.
Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 6/5/12.
Docket Numbers: RP12–751–000.
Applicants: Big Sandy Pipeline, LLC.
Description: Negotiated Rates May
2012 Cleanup to be effective 6/25/2012.
Filed Date: 5/25/12.
Accession Number: 20120525–5030.
16:23 Jun 07, 2012
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
Combined Notice of Filings
VerDate Mar<15>2010
Dated: May 31, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–13879 Filed 6–7–12; 8:45 am]
[FR Doc. 2012–13885 Filed 6–7–12; 8:45 am]
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
The above-referenced meetings will
be held at: AEP Offices, 1201 Elm Street,
8th Floor, Dallas, TX 75270.
The above-referenced meetings are
open to stakeholders.
Further information may be found at
www.spp.org.
The discussions at the meetings
described above may address matters at
issue in the following proceedings:
Docket No. ER09–35–001, Tallgrass
Transmission, LLC
Docket No. ER09–36–001, Prairie
Wind Transmission, LLC
Docket No. ER09–548–001, ITC Great
Plains, LLC
Docket No. ER11–4105–000,
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Docket No. EL11–34–001, Midwest
Independent Transmission System
Operator, Inc.
Docket No. ER11–3967–002,
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Docket No. ER11–3967–003,
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Docket No. ER12–1179–000,
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Docket No. ER12–1415–000,
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Docket No. ER12–1460–000,
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
Docket No. ER12–1610–000,
Southwest Power Pool, Inc.
For more information, contact
Luciano Lima, Office of Energy Markets
Regulation, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission at (202) 502–6210 or
luciano.lima@ferc.gov.
Jkt 226001
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. PF12–3–000]
Notice of Commission Staff
Attendance
The Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission hereby gives notice that
members of the Commission’s staff may
attend the following meetings related to
the transmission planning activities of
the Southwest Power Pool, Inc. (SPP):
Strategic Planning Committee Task
Force on Order 1000
June 7, 2012
8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. CDT.
June 26, 2012
9:00 a.m.–3 p.m. CDT.
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Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC;
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P.;
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the
Planned Corpus Christi LNG Terminal
and Pipeline 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 planned Corpus Christi LNG
Terminal and Pipeline Project (Project).
The Project would involve constructing
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 111 / Friday, June 8, 2012 / Notices
and operating a liquefied natural gas
(LNG) export and import terminal, and
a natural gas transmission pipeline in
Nueces and San Patricio Counties,
Texas. The EA will be used by the
Commission in its decision-making
process to determine whether to
authorize the LNG terminal. The EA
will also be used by the Commission to
help determine whether the pipeline
facilities are 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 about the
Project. Your input will help the
Commission’s staff determine what
issues need to be evaluated in the EA.
Your input will also help the
Commission’s staff determine whether
the preparation of an environmental
impact statement would be more
appropriate for this project. Comments
about the Project may be submitted in
writing or verbally. In lieu of or in
addition to submitting written
comments, the Commission invites you
to attend a public scoping meeting
scheduled as follows:
FERC Public Scoping Meeting, Corpus
Christi LNG Terminal and Pipeline
Project, June 26, 2012—6:00 p.m.,
Portland Community Center, 2000 Bill G
Webb Drive, Portland, TX 78374.
Please note that the scoping period
will close on July 2, 2012.
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and
local government representatives should
notify their constituents of this project
and encourage them to comment on
their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this
notice, a Project representative may
contact you about the acquisition of an
easement to construct, operate, and
maintain the natural gas transmission
pipeline facilities. The company would
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the facilities, that approval
conveys with it the right of eminent
domain. Therefore, if easement
negotiations fail to produce an
agreement, a condemnation proceeding
could be initiated where compensation
would be determined in accordance
with state law.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC
entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas
Facility On My Land? What Do I Need
to Know?’’ is available for viewing on
the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This
fact sheet addresses a number of
typically-asked questions, including the
use of eminent domain and how to
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16:23 Jun 07, 2012
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participate in the Commission’s
proceedings.
Summary of the Planned Project
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC
(Corpus Christi Liquefaction) plans to
construct and operate a LNG export and
import terminal on the north shore of
Corpus Christi Bay in Nueces and San
Patricio Counties, Texas. The terminal
facilities would be capable of liquefying
approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet per
day of natural gas. These facilities
would also be capable of vaporizing
approximately 400 million cubic feet
per day of LNG. In addition to the
liquefaction and vaporization facilities;
Corpus Christi Liquefaction plans to
construct and operate three LNG storage
tanks at the terminal. These tanks would
be capable of storing approximately
160,000 cubic meters of LNG. To
facilitate the estimated 200 ships per
year necessary to export and import
LNG, Corpus Christi Liquefaction is also
planning to construct and operate a
marine berth connecting the terminal to
the adjacent La Quinta Channel which
provides access to open water shipping
routes.
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P.
(Corpus Christi Pipeline) plans to
construct and operate an approximately
23-mile-long, 48-inch-diameter, bidirectional, natural gas transmission
pipeline (and associated facilities)
capable of moving approximately 2.25
billion cubic feet per day of natural gas
between the terminal and existing
natural gas transmission infrastructure
near the City of Sinton, Texas. Corpus
Christi Pipeline is also planning to
construct and operate two compressor
stations; the 12,260 horsepower (hp)
Taft Compressor Station and the 41,000
hp Sinton Compressor Station to
facilitate the movement of gas within
the pipeline.
The general location of the planned
facilities is shown in Appendix 1.1
Land Requirements for Construction
Constructing the LNG terminal would
require the use of about 891 acres of
land. Operating the terminal would
require the permanent use of about 326
acres of land. Constructing the pipeline
and associated facilities would require
the use of about 441 acres of land.
Operating the pipeline and associated
facilities would require the permanent
1 The appendices referenced in this notice will
not appear in the Federal Register. Copies of the
appendices were sent to all those receiving this
notice in the mail and are available at 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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34035
use of about 202 acres of land. In total,
constructing the terminal and pipeline
would require the use of about 1,332
acres of land. Operating these facilities
would require the permanent use of
about 528 acres of land.
The terminal and pipeline would be
constructed and operated for the most
part on lands previously reviewed by
the Commission in FERC Docket Nos.
CP04–37, 44, 45 and 46–000. These
lands were reviewed for the proposed
Cheniere Corpus Christi LNG Project
which was approved by the
Commission, but never built. The
Cheniere Corpus Christi LNG Project
would have required the use of about
1,161 acres of land for construction
activities and about 712 acres of land for
operations-related activities.
The EA Process
The National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) requires the Commission
and other federal agencies to take into
account the environmental impacts that
could result from an action whenever a
federal authorization, permit and/or
approval is issued. NEPA also requires
the Commission’s staff to discover and
address concerns the public may have
about proposals. The discovery process
is commonly 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
be addressed in the staff’s EA. All
comments received will be considered
during the preparation of the EA.
In the EA, the Commission’s staff will
describe the impacts that could occur as
a result of constructing and operating
the Project under these general
headings:
• Geology and soils;
• Water resources and wetlands;
• Vegetation, fisheries and wildlife;
• Threatened and endangered
species;
• Socioeconomics;
• Land use and aesthetics;
• Cultural resources;
• Air quality and noise;
• Public safety; and
• Cumulative impacts.
The Commission’s staff will also
evaluate possible alternatives to the
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, the Commission’s staff has
already initiated its NEPA review under
the Commission’s pre-filing process.
The purpose of the pre-filing process is
to encourage early involvement of
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interested stakeholders and to identify
and resolve issues before the FERC
receives an application. As part of the
pre-filing review, the Commission’s staff
has begun to contact several federal and
state agencies to discuss their
involvement in the scoping process and
the preparation of an EA.
The EA will present the staff’s
independent analysis of the issues. If
staff determines the preparation of an
EA is appropriate, the EA will be placed
in the public record, published, and
distributed to the public. A comment
period will be allotted when the EA is
issued. Staff will consider all comments
on the EA before making its
recommendations to the Commission.
To ensure your comments are
considered, please carefully follow the
instructions in the Public Participation
section of this notice.
With this notice, we are asking
agencies with jurisdiction by law and/
or special expertise with respect to
environmental issues to formally
cooperate with staff in preparing the EA.
Agencies that would like to request
cooperating agency status should follow
the instructions for filing comments
provided in the Public Participation
section of this notice.
Involvement of U.S. Department of
Energy
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 Corpus Christi Liquefaction,
LLC, or affiliated company, to export
LNG from the planned Corpus Christi
LNG Terminal if DOE determines that
such export is not inconsistent with 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,
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 an expected application to
DOE seeking authorization to export
domestically produced natural gas as
LNG from the Corpus Christi 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
(2) with which trade is not prohibited
by U.S. law or policy.
Consultations Under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act
In accordance with the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation’s
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16:23 Jun 07, 2012
Jkt 226001
implementing regulations for section
106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, staff is 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.2 Staff will define the
project-specific Area of Potential Effects
(APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s)
as the project develops. 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). The EA for this
project will document the staff’s
findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of
consultations under section 106.
Currently Identified Environmental
Issues
Based on a preliminary review of the
planned facilities and information
provided by Corpus Christi
Liquefaction, the Commission’s staff has
already identified several issues that it
thinks deserves attention. This
preliminary list of issues may be
changed based on your comments and
the staff’s analysis. These issues are:
• Air quality;
• Water use;
• Aesthetics;
• Transportation;
• Socioeconomics; 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
2 The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 800. Those regulations define
historic properties as any prehistoric or historic
district, site, building, structure, or object included
in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register
for Historic Places.
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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 the Commission receives them in
Washington, DC on or before July 2,
2012.
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 (PF12–3–000) with your
submission. The Commission
encourages electronic filing of
comments and has expert staff available
to assist you at (202) 502–8258 or
efiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You can file your comments
electronically using the eComment
feature located on the Commission’s
Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the link
to Documents and Filings. This is an
easy method for interested persons to
submit brief, text-only comments on a
project;
(2) You can file your comments
electronically using the eFiling feature
located on the Commission’s Web site
(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 must select
the type of filing you are making. If you
are filing a comment on a particular
project, please select ‘‘Comment on a
Filing’’; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your
comments by mailing them to 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
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. Staff will
update the environmental mailing list as
the analysis proceeds to ensure that it
sends the information related to this
environmental review to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 111 / Friday, June 8, 2012 / Notices
interested in and/or potentially affected
by the planned project.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Becoming an Intervenor
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. EL12–62–000]
Additional Information
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Once Corpus Christi Liquefaction 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 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 the Commission receives a
formal application for the project.
Dated: May 31, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
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 (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., PF12–
3–000). 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 www.ferc.gov/
esubscribenow.htm.
Finally, public meetings or site visits
will be posted on the Commission’s
calendar located at www.ferc.gov/
EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along
with other related information.
Dated: June 1, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012–13875 Filed 6–7–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
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16:23 Jun 07, 2012
Jkt 226001
PPL Montana, LLC; Supplemental
Notice of Meeting
May 31, 2012.
On May 23, 2012, the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (Commission)
announced that Commission staff will
meet with PPL Montana, LLC and the
Confederated Salish and Kootenai
Tribes on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 1:00
p.m. EDT at Commission’s headquarters,
located at 888 First Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, Room 3M–1.
Interested parties may participate in
the meeting by telephone. Please contact
Gary Cohen, Office of the General
Counsel, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission at (202) 502–8321 or
Gary.Cohen@ferc.gov.
[FR Doc. 2012–13878 Filed 6–7–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
34037
schedules to replace the current
wholesale power schedules for the
Georgia-Alabama-South Carolina
System for a five-year period from
October 1, 2012, to September 30, 2017.
The Notice outlined a public comment
process that included a public
information and comment forum for the
Georgia-Alabama-South Carolina
customers and interested parties which
was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on April
24, 2012. Pursuant to 10 CFR 903.14, the
public information process provided
that additional written comments would
be due to Southeastern on or before June
5, 2012. The Georgia-Alabama-South
Carolina customers, through their
representatives, have requested an
extension of the comment period from
June 5, 2012, to close of business on
June 19, 2012. The customers state that
additional time is needed in order to
review the extensive materials and
information provided and developed at
and after the forum and to allow
sufficient time for such necessary
review and preparation of informed
comments regarding the new proposed
rates. For the reasons stated above, and
as provided for in 10 CFR 903.14,
Southeastern hereby extends the period
for submission of written comments to
the close of business June 19, 2012.
Southeastern Power Administration
Georgia-Alabama-South Carolina
System of Projects
Dated: May 31, 2012.
Herbert R. Nadler,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012–13925 Filed 6–7–12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
Southeastern Power
Administration, DOE.
ACTION: Notice of extension of time to
present written comments.
AGENCY:
The period for submitting
written comments on Southeastern’s
proposed rate adjustment is extended to
June 19, 2012.
DATES: Written comments may be
submitted until the close of business
June 19, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should
be submitted to: Kenneth E. Legg,
Administrator, Southeastern Power
Administration, Department of Energy,
1166 Athens Tech Road, Elberton,
Georgia 30635–6711.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Virgil G. Hobbs, III, Assistant
Administrator for Finance and
Marketing Division, Southeastern Power
Administration, Department of Energy,
1166 Athens Tech Road, Elberton,
Georgia, 30635–6711 (706–213–3838).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March
7, 2012, Southeastern published a
Notice in the Federal Register at Vol. 77
FR 13594 that proposed new rate
SUMMARY:
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
[EPA–HQ–SFUND–2006–0361; FRL–9681–6]
Agency Information Collection
Activities; Proposed Collection;
Comment Request; Trade Secret
Claims for Emergency Planning and
Community Right-To-Know
Information; EPA ICR No. 1428.09
Environmental Protection
Agency.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
In compliance with the
Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) (44
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.), this document
announces that the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to
submit a request to renew an existing
approved Information Collection
Request (ICR) to the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB). This
ICR is scheduled to expire on November
30, 2012. Before submitting the ICR to
OMB for review and approval, EPA is
soliciting comments on specific aspects
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34034-34037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13875]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF12-3-000]
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC; Cheniere Corpus Christi
Pipeline, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment
for the Planned Corpus Christi LNG Terminal and Pipeline 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 planned Corpus Christi LNG
Terminal and Pipeline Project (Project). The Project would involve
constructing
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and operating a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export and import terminal,
and a natural gas transmission pipeline in Nueces and San Patricio
Counties, Texas. The EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-
making process to determine whether to authorize the LNG terminal. The
EA will also be used by the Commission to help determine whether the
pipeline facilities are 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 about the Project. Your input will help the Commission's staff
determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Your input will
also help the Commission's staff determine whether the preparation of
an environmental impact statement would be more appropriate for this
project. Comments about the Project may be submitted in writing or
verbally. In lieu of or in addition to submitting written comments, the
Commission invites you to attend a public scoping meeting scheduled as
follows:
FERC Public Scoping Meeting, Corpus Christi LNG Terminal and
Pipeline Project, June 26, 2012--6:00 p.m., Portland Community Center,
2000 Bill G Webb Drive, Portland, TX 78374.
Please note that the scoping period will close on July 2, 2012.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this project and
encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a Project
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the natural gas transmission pipeline
facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
agreement. However, if the Commission approves the facilities, that
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, a condemnation
proceeding could be initiated where compensation would be determined in
accordance with state law.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need to Know?'' is available for
viewing on the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet addresses
a number of typically-asked questions, including the use of eminent
domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings.
Summary of the Planned Project
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Corpus Christi Liquefaction)
plans to construct and operate a LNG export and import terminal on the
north shore of Corpus Christi Bay in Nueces and San Patricio Counties,
Texas. The terminal facilities would be capable of liquefying
approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. These
facilities would also be capable of vaporizing approximately 400
million cubic feet per day of LNG. In addition to the liquefaction and
vaporization facilities; Corpus Christi Liquefaction plans to construct
and operate three LNG storage tanks at the terminal. These tanks would
be capable of storing approximately 160,000 cubic meters of LNG. To
facilitate the estimated 200 ships per year necessary to export and
import LNG, Corpus Christi Liquefaction is also planning to construct
and operate a marine berth connecting the terminal to the adjacent La
Quinta Channel which provides access to open water shipping routes.
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. (Corpus Christi Pipeline)
plans to construct and operate an approximately 23-mile-long, 48-inch-
diameter, bi-directional, natural gas transmission pipeline (and
associated facilities) capable of moving approximately 2.25 billion
cubic feet per day of natural gas between the terminal and existing
natural gas transmission infrastructure near the City of Sinton, Texas.
Corpus Christi Pipeline is also planning to construct and operate two
compressor stations; the 12,260 horsepower (hp) Taft Compressor Station
and the 41,000 hp Sinton Compressor Station to facilitate the movement
of gas within the pipeline.
The general location of the planned facilities is shown in Appendix
1.\1\
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\1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
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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Land Requirements for Construction
Constructing the LNG terminal would require the use of about 891
acres of land. Operating the terminal would require the permanent use
of about 326 acres of land. Constructing the pipeline and associated
facilities would require the use of about 441 acres of land. Operating
the pipeline and associated facilities would require the permanent use
of about 202 acres of land. In total, constructing the terminal and
pipeline would require the use of about 1,332 acres of land. Operating
these facilities would require the permanent use of about 528 acres of
land.
The terminal and pipeline would be constructed and operated for the
most part on lands previously reviewed by the Commission in FERC Docket
Nos. CP04-37, 44, 45 and 46-000. These lands were reviewed for the
proposed Cheniere Corpus Christi LNG Project which was approved by the
Commission, but never built. The Cheniere Corpus Christi LNG Project
would have required the use of about 1,161 acres of land for
construction activities and about 712 acres of land for operations-
related activities.
The EA Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission and other federal agencies to take into account the
environmental impacts that could result from an action whenever a
federal authorization, permit and/or approval is issued. NEPA also
requires the Commission's staff to discover and address concerns the
public may have about proposals. The discovery process is commonly
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 be addressed in the staff's EA. All comments received
will be considered during the preparation of the EA.
In the EA, the Commission's staff will describe the impacts that
could occur as a result of constructing and operating the Project under
these general headings:
Geology and soils;
Water resources and wetlands;
Vegetation, fisheries and wildlife;
Threatened and endangered species;
Socioeconomics;
Land use and aesthetics;
Cultural resources;
Air quality and noise;
Public safety; and
Cumulative impacts.
The Commission's staff will also evaluate possible alternatives to
the 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, the Commission's
staff has already initiated its NEPA review under the Commission's pre-
filing process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage
early involvement of
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interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before the
FERC receives an application. As part of the pre-filing review, the
Commission's staff has begun to contact several federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the
preparation of an EA.
The EA will present the staff's independent analysis of the issues.
If staff determines the preparation of an EA is appropriate, the EA
will be placed in the public record, published, and distributed to the
public. A comment period will be allotted when the EA is issued. Staff
will consider all comments on the EA before making its recommendations
to the Commission. To ensure your comments are considered, please
carefully follow the instructions in the Public Participation section
of this notice.
With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law
and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues to
formally cooperate with staff in preparing the EA. Agencies that would
like to request cooperating agency status should follow the
instructions for filing comments provided in the Public Participation
section of this notice.
Involvement of U.S. Department of Energy
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
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, or affiliated company, to export LNG
from the planned Corpus Christi LNG Terminal if DOE determines that
such export is not inconsistent with 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, 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 an expected application to DOE
seeking authorization to export domestically produced natural gas as
LNG from the Corpus Christi 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 (2) with which trade
is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy.
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, staff is 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.\2\ Staff will define the project-specific Area of Potential
Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s) as the project develops.
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). The EA for this project will document the staff's
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status
of consultations under section 106.
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\2\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register for Historic
Places.
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Currently Identified Environmental Issues
Based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and
information provided by Corpus Christi Liquefaction, the Commission's
staff has already identified several issues that it thinks deserves
attention. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your
comments and the staff's analysis. These issues are:
Air quality;
Water use;
Aesthetics;
Transportation;
Socioeconomics; 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 the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before July
2, 2012.
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 (PF12-3-000) with your submission. The Commission
encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available
to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or efiling@ferc.gov.
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature located on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the
link to Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for interested
persons to submit brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically using the eFiling
feature located on the Commission's Web site (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 must select the type of filing you are making. If
you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select
``Comment on a Filing''; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
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 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. Staff will update the environmental mailing
list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that it sends the information
related to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations,
and government entities
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interested in and/or potentially affected by the planned project.
Becoming an Intervenor
Once Corpus Christi Liquefaction 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 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
the Commission receives a formal application for the project.
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 (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., PF12-
3-000). 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 www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the
Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.
Dated: June 1, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-13875 Filed 6-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
