CE FLNG, LLC, CE Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned CE FLNG Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting, 75557-75559 [2013-29600]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 239 / Thursday, December 12, 2013 / Notices
Dated: December 4, 2013.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–29570 Filed 12–11–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. PF13–11–000]
maindgalligan on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
CE FLNG, LLC, CE Pipeline, LLC;
Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for
the Planned CE FLNG 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 impact statement (EIS)
that will discuss the environmental
impacts of the CE FLNG Project
involving construction and operation of
liquefied natural gas (LNG) export, and
interstate natural gas transmission
pipeline facilities by CE FLNG, LLC and
CE Pipeline, LLC (collectively referred
to as CE FLNG) in Plaquemines Parish,
Louisiana. The Commission will use
this EIS in its decision-making process
to determine whether to authorize the
LNG facilities. The Commission will
also use this EIS 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 EIS.
Please note that the scoping period will
close on January 6, 2014.
Comments about the project may be
submitted in writing or verbally. The
Public Participation section of this
notice describes how to submit written
comments. Verbal comments can be
provided at the public scoping meeting
scheduled as follows: FERC Public
Scoping Meeting, CE FLNG Project,
Wednesday—December 18, 2013—6:00
p.m., Buras Auditorium, 35619 Highway
11, Buras, Louisiana 70041.
CE FLNG representatives will be
available at 5:30 p.m. to provide
information and answer questions about
the project.
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:45 Dec 11, 2013
Jkt 232001
and encourage them to comment about
their concerns.
If you are a landowner receiving this
notice, a CE FLNG 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 in a federal or state
court where compensation would be
determined in accordance with state
law.
The ‘‘For Citizens’’ section of the
FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov) provides
more information about the FERC, the
environmental review process, and
LNG. This section also includes
information about getting involved in
FERC jurisdictional projects, and a
citizens’ guide entitled ‘‘An Interstate
Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What
Do I Need to Know?’’ This guide
addresses a number of frequently-asked
questions including the use of eminent
domain and how to participate in the
Commission’s proceedings.
Summary of the Planned Project
CE FLNG plans to construct and
operate a LNG export terminal, and
approximately 37 miles of 42-inchdiameter natural gas transmission
pipeline in Plaquemines Parish,
Louisiana. The LNG terminal would be
located along the east bank of the
Mississippi River at approximately mile
marker 12.5, northeast of the
community of Venice. CE FLNG plans to
moor two self-propelled, natural gas
liquefaction, storage, and offloading
vessels at the terminal. The floating
LNG (FLNG) vessels would each be
about 1,100 feet long, 180 feet wide, and
extend up to 80 feet above the waterline.
The FLNG vessels would be capable of
producing up to 8 million tons per
annum of LNG and storing 250,000
cubic meters of LNG.
Approximately 80 to 130 LNG carriers
(LNGC), with cargo capacities ranging
from 125,000 to 170,000 cubic meters,
would call upon the terminal each year
during operation. CE FLNG plans to use
tug boats to maneuver the FLNG vessels
and LNGCs. During storm events, the
vessels could leave the terminal for the
Gulf of Mexico. A CE FLNG office
would be located at the Venice Port
Complex, and the tug boats would
operate out of that port.
The planned transmission pipeline
would connect the terminal to existing
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
75557
natural gas infrastructure facilities. The
northern terminus of the pipeline would
connect with a Tennessee Gas Pipeline
Company pipeline and the southern
pipeline terminus would connect with
the Targa Gas Plant and Gulf South
Pipeline Company, Texas Eastern
Transmission Company, and Columbia
Gulf Transmission pipelines.
The general locations of the planned
facilities are shown in Appendix 1.1
Land Requirements
Constructing the LNG terminal along
the east bank of the Mississippi River
would require dredging approximately
125 acres of wetlands/open water.
Additional lands and waters could be
impacted by the establishment of safety
zones for operation of the LNG terminal
and LNGCs calling on the terminal. Any
safety zones would be established by the
U.S. Coast Guard-New Orleans Sector
(Coast Guard) following a review of
safety and security issues. CE FLNG is
currently evaluating potential sites for
dredge material placement. Dredge
disposal would be authorized by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers–New
Orleans District (USACOE).
Constructing the pipeline would require
the temporary use of approximately 900
acres of wetland/open water, and the
permanent use of approximately 225
acres of wetland/open water to maintain
and operate the pipeline.
The EIS 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 an
Order Granting Section 3 Authorization,
and a Certificate of Public Convenience
and Necessity under Section 7 of the
Natural Gas Act (NGA). The NEPA also
requires us 2 to discover and address
concerns the public may have about
proposals. This discovery process is
commonly referred to as scoping. The
main goal of the scoping process is to
focus the analysis in the EIS on the
important environmental issues. By this
notice, the Commission requests public
comments on the scope of the issues to
be addressed in the EIS. All comments
received will be considered during the
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 ‘‘eLibrary’’ or from the Commission’s
Public Reference Room, 888 First Street NE.,
Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502–8371. For
instructions on using 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.
E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM
12DEN1
maindgalligan on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
75558
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 239 / Thursday, December 12, 2013 / Notices
preparation of the EIS, and addressed as
appropriate.
In the EIS we will describe the
impacts that could occur as a result of
constructing and operating the planned
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;
• navigation; and
• cumulative impacts.
We 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, 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
the FERC receives an application. As
part of our pre-filing review, we have
contacted several federal agencies and
will also contact state agencies to
discuss their involvement in the scoping
process and the preparation of an EIS.
The EIS will present our independent
analysis of the issues. We will publish
and distribute a draft EIS for public
comment. After the comment period, we
will consider all timely comments and
revise the document, as necessary,
before issuing a final EIS. To ensure we
have the opportunity to consider and
address your comments, please carefully
follow the instructions in the Public
Participation section below.
The FERC is the lead federal agency
in preparing the EIS to satisfy the
requirements of the NEPA. With this
notice, we are asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special
expertise with respect to the
environmental issues related to this
project to formally cooperate with us in
the preparation of the EIS.3 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 U.S. Department of
Energy-Office of Fossil Energy (DOE),
the USACOE, and the Coast Guard have
expressed their intention to participate
3 The Council on Environmental Quality
regulations addressing cooperating agency
responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, 1501.6.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:45 Dec 11, 2013
Jkt 232001
as cooperating agencies in the
preparation of the EIS to satisfy their
NEPA responsibilities related to this
project. The USACOE has jurisdictional
authority pursuant to Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act, which governs the
discharge of dredged or fill material into
waters of the United States, and Section
10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, which
regulates any work or structures that
potentially affect the navigability of a
waterway. The Coast Guard is the
federal agency responsible for
determining the suitability of waterways
for LNG marine traffic. The Coast Guard
exercises regulatory authority over LNG
facilities that affect the safety and
security of port areas and navigable
waterways under Executive Order
10173, the Magnuson Act, the Ports and
Waterways Safety Act, and the Maritime
Transportation Security Act.
Involvement of U.S. Department of
Energy
Under Section 3 of the NGA, the DOE
would authorize applications to export
natural gas, including LNG, unless it
finds that the proposed export would
not be consistent with the public
interest. The purpose and need for DOE
action is to respond to the application
filed by CE FLNG on September 21,
2012 with the DOE (FE Docket No. 12–
123–LNG), seeking authorization to
export 1.07 billion cubic feet per day of
domestic natural gas as LNG. CE FLNG
requested to export LNG from its
proposed terminal in Plaquemines
Parish, Louisiana for a 30-year period
commencing from the earlier of the date
of first export or ten years from the date
that the requested authorization was
issued to any country: (1) That has, or
in the future develops, the capacity to
import LNG; and (2) with which trade
is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy.
Notice of Floodplain Involvement
Because the planned project would
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 EIS will include a
floodplain assessment, as appropriate,
and a floodplain statement of findings
will be included in any DOE finding of
no significant impact.
Consultations Under Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act
In accordance with the Advisory
Council on Historic Preservation’s
regulations implementing Section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act,
we are using this notice to initiate
consultations with the Louisiana State
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Historic Preservation Office (SHPO),
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.4 Staff will define the projectspecific Area of Potential Effects (APE)
in consultation with the SHPO as the
project is more fully developed. For
natural gas projects, the APE usually
encompasses all areas subject to ground
disturbance (examples include
construction right-of-way, contractor/
pipe storage yards, access roads, and
aboveground facilities). The EIS will
document our findings on projectrelated effects on historic properties and
summarize the status of Section 106
consultations.
Currently Identified Environmental
Issues
Based on our preliminary review of
the planned facilities and information
provided by CE FLNG, we have
identified several issues that we think
deserve attention. This preliminary list
of issues may be changed based on your
comments and our ongoing
environmental analysis. These issues
are:
• Coastal zone management;
• wetland loss;
• dredging and dredge material
placement;
• essential fish habitat;
• recreational and commercial
fisheries;
• shipping traffic and marine safety;
• visual impacts;
• air quality;
• water use;
• socioeconomics; and
• public safety.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by
providing us with your specific
comments about the project. Your
comments should focus on the potential
environmental impacts, 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 considered in a timely
manner and properly recorded, please
send your comments so that the
Commission receives them in
Washington, DC on or before January 6,
2014.
For your convenience, there are three
methods you can use to submit your
4 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.
E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM
12DEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 239 / Thursday, December 12, 2013 / Notices
comments to the Commission. In all
instances, please reference the project
docket number (PF13–11–000) 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
Documents and Filings heading. This is
an easy method for interested persons to
submit brief, text-only comments on a
project;
(2) You can also file your comments
electronically using the eFiling feature
located on the Commission’s Web site
(www.ferc.gov) under the Documents
and Filings heading. 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.
maindgalligan on DSK5TPTVN1PROD 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; 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. 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.
Copies of the draft EIS will be sent to
the environmental mailing list for
public review and comment. If you
would prefer to receive a paper copy of
the EIS instead of the compact disc
version, or if you would like to remove
your name from the mailing list, please
return the attached Information Request
(Appendix 2).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:45 Dec 11, 2013
Jkt 232001
Becoming an Intervenor
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Once CE FLNG 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 can be found under the
‘‘Getting Involved’’ heading of the ‘‘For
Citizens’’ section on the FERC 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.
75559
Federal Energy Regulatory
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 (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary.
Click on the eLibrary link, click on
‘‘General Search’’ and enter the docket
number, excluding the last three digits
(PF13–11). 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: December 5, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013–29600 Filed 12–11–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
[Project No. 1510–017]
Kaukauna Utilities; Notice of Intent To
File License Application, Filing of PreApplication Document, and Approving
Use of the Traditional Licensing
Process
a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to
File License Application and Request to
Use the Traditional Licensing Process.
b. Project No.: 1510–017.
c. Date Filed: October 7, 2013.
d. Submitted By: Kaukauna Utilities.
e. Name of Project: Kaukauna City
Plant Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: On the Lower Fox River,
in Outagamie County, Wisconsin. No
federal lands are occupied by the project
works or located within the project
boundary.
g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the
Commission’s regulations.
h. Potential Applicant Contact: Mike
Pedersen, Manager of Generation and
Operations, Kaukauna Utilities, 777
Island Street, Kaukauna, WI 54130;
phone: (920) 462–0220; email:
mpedersen@ku-wi.org.
i. FERC Contact: Isis Johnson at (202)
502–6346; or email at isis.johnson@
ferc.gov.
j. Kaukauna Utilities filed its request
to use the Traditional Licensing Process
on October 7, 2013. Kaukauna utilities
provided public notice of its request on
September 25, 2013. In a letter dated
December 05, 2013, the Director of the
Division of Hydropower Licensing
approved Kaukauna Utilities’ request to
use the Traditional Licensing Process.
k. With this notice, we are initiating
informal consultation with: (a) The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and/or NOAA
Fisheries under section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act and the joint
agency regulations thereunder at 50
CFR, Part 402; (b) NOAA Fisheries
under section 305(b) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act and implementing
regulations at 50 CFR 600.920; and (c)
the Wisconsin State Historic
Preservation Officer, as required by
section 106, National Historical
Preservation Act, and the implementing
regulations of the Advisory Council on
Historic Preservation at 36 CFR 800.2.
l. With this notice, we are designating
Kaukauna Utilities as the Commission’s
non-federal representative for carrying
out informal consultation, pursuant to
section 7 of the Endangered Species Act,
section 305 of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
E:\FR\FM\12DEN1.SGM
12DEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 239 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75557-75559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-29600]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF13-11-000]
CE FLNG, LLC, CE Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned CE FLNG 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 impact statement (EIS) that
will discuss the environmental impacts of the CE FLNG Project involving
construction and operation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) export, and
interstate natural gas transmission pipeline facilities by CE FLNG, LLC
and CE Pipeline, LLC (collectively referred to as CE FLNG) in
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The Commission will use this EIS in its
decision-making process to determine whether to authorize the LNG
facilities. The Commission will also use this EIS 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 EIS. Please note that
the scoping period will close on January 6, 2014.
Comments about the project may be submitted in writing or verbally.
The Public Participation section of this notice describes how to submit
written comments. Verbal comments can be provided at the public scoping
meeting scheduled as follows: FERC Public Scoping Meeting, CE FLNG
Project, Wednesday--December 18, 2013--6:00 p.m., Buras Auditorium,
35619 Highway 11, Buras, Louisiana 70041.
CE FLNG representatives will be available at 5:30 p.m. to provide
information and answer questions about the project.
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 about their concerns.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a CE FLNG
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 in a federal or state court where
compensation would be determined in accordance with state law.
The ``For Citizens'' section of the FERC Web site (www.ferc.gov)
provides more information about the FERC, the environmental review
process, and LNG. This section also includes information about getting
involved in FERC jurisdictional projects, and a citizens' guide
entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I
Need to Know?'' This guide addresses a number of frequently-asked
questions including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in
the Commission's proceedings.
Summary of the Planned Project
CE FLNG plans to construct and operate a LNG export terminal, and
approximately 37 miles of 42-inch-diameter natural gas transmission
pipeline in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The LNG terminal would be
located along the east bank of the Mississippi River at approximately
mile marker 12.5, northeast of the community of Venice. CE FLNG plans
to moor two self-propelled, natural gas liquefaction, storage, and
offloading vessels at the terminal. The floating LNG (FLNG) vessels
would each be about 1,100 feet long, 180 feet wide, and extend up to 80
feet above the waterline. The FLNG vessels would be capable of
producing up to 8 million tons per annum of LNG and storing 250,000
cubic meters of LNG.
Approximately 80 to 130 LNG carriers (LNGC), with cargo capacities
ranging from 125,000 to 170,000 cubic meters, would call upon the
terminal each year during operation. CE FLNG plans to use tug boats to
maneuver the FLNG vessels and LNGCs. During storm events, the vessels
could leave the terminal for the Gulf of Mexico. A CE FLNG office would
be located at the Venice Port Complex, and the tug boats would operate
out of that port.
The planned transmission pipeline would connect the terminal to
existing natural gas infrastructure facilities. The northern terminus
of the pipeline would connect with a Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company
pipeline and the southern pipeline terminus would connect with the
Targa Gas Plant and Gulf South Pipeline Company, Texas Eastern
Transmission Company, and Columbia Gulf Transmission pipelines.
The general locations of the planned facilities are shown in
Appendix 1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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 ``eLibrary'' or from the Commission's Public
Reference Room, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, (202)
502-8371. For instructions on using eLibrary, refer to the last page
of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Requirements
Constructing the LNG terminal along the east bank of the
Mississippi River would require dredging approximately 125 acres of
wetlands/open water. Additional lands and waters could be impacted by
the establishment of safety zones for operation of the LNG terminal and
LNGCs calling on the terminal. Any safety zones would be established by
the U.S. Coast Guard-New Orleans Sector (Coast Guard) following a
review of safety and security issues. CE FLNG is currently evaluating
potential sites for dredge material placement. Dredge disposal would be
authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-New Orleans District
(USACOE). Constructing the pipeline would require the temporary use of
approximately 900 acres of wetland/open water, and the permanent use of
approximately 225 acres of wetland/open water to maintain and operate
the pipeline.
The EIS 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 an Order
Granting Section 3 Authorization, and a Certificate of Public
Convenience and Necessity under Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).
The NEPA also requires us \2\ to discover and address concerns the
public may have about proposals. This discovery process is commonly
referred to as scoping. The main goal of the scoping process is to
focus the analysis in the EIS on the important environmental issues. By
this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of
the issues to be addressed in the EIS. All comments received will be
considered during the
[[Page 75558]]
preparation of the EIS, and addressed as appropriate.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ ``We'', ``us'', and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the EIS we will describe the impacts that could occur as a
result of constructing and operating the planned 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;
navigation; and
cumulative impacts.
We 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, 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
the FERC receives an application. As part of our pre-filing review, we
have contacted several federal agencies and will also contact state
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the
preparation of an EIS.
The EIS will present our independent analysis of the issues. We
will publish and distribute a draft EIS for public comment. After the
comment period, we will consider all timely comments and revise the
document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. To ensure we have
the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please carefully
follow the instructions in the Public Participation section below.
The FERC is the lead federal agency in preparing the EIS to satisfy
the requirements of the NEPA. With this notice, we are asking agencies
with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues related to this project to formally cooperate with
us in the preparation of the EIS.\3\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, 1501.6.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy-Office of Fossil Energy
(DOE), the USACOE, and the Coast Guard have expressed their intention
to participate as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS to
satisfy their NEPA responsibilities related to this project. The USACOE
has jurisdictional authority pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act, which governs the discharge of dredged or fill material into
waters of the United States, and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors
Act, which regulates any work or structures that potentially affect the
navigability of a waterway. The Coast Guard is the federal agency
responsible for determining the suitability of waterways for LNG marine
traffic. The Coast Guard exercises regulatory authority over LNG
facilities that affect the safety and security of port areas and
navigable waterways under Executive Order 10173, the Magnuson Act, the
Ports and Waterways Safety Act, and the Maritime Transportation
Security Act.
Involvement of U.S. Department of Energy
Under Section 3 of the NGA, the DOE would authorize applications to
export natural gas, including LNG, unless it finds that the proposed
export would not be consistent with the public interest. The purpose
and need for DOE action is to respond to the application filed by CE
FLNG on September 21, 2012 with the DOE (FE Docket No. 12-123-LNG),
seeking authorization to export 1.07 billion cubic feet per day of
domestic natural gas as LNG. CE FLNG requested to export LNG from its
proposed terminal in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana for a 30-year period
commencing from the earlier of the date of first export or ten years
from the date that the requested authorization was issued to any
country: (1) That has, or in the future develops, the capacity to
import LNG; and (2) with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or
policy.
Notice of Floodplain Involvement
Because the planned project would 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 EIS will include a floodplain assessment, as
appropriate, and a floodplain statement of findings will be included in
any DOE finding of no significant impact.
Consultations Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act
In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultations
with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), 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.\4\ Staff will define the project-specific Area of
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO as the project is
more fully developed. For natural gas projects, the APE usually
encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples include
construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, access roads,
and aboveground facilities). The EIS will document our findings on
project-related effects on historic properties and summarize the status
of Section 106 consultations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
Based on our preliminary review of the planned facilities and
information provided by CE FLNG, we have identified several issues that
we think deserve attention. This preliminary list of issues may be
changed based on your comments and our ongoing environmental analysis.
These issues are:
Coastal zone management;
wetland loss;
dredging and dredge material placement;
essential fish habitat;
recreational and commercial fisheries;
shipping traffic and marine safety;
visual impacts;
air quality;
water use;
socioeconomics; and
public safety.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments about the project. Your comments should focus on the potential
environmental impacts, 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 considered
in a timely manner and properly recorded, please send your comments so
that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before
January 6, 2014.
For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit
your
[[Page 75559]]
comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the
project docket number (PF13-11-000) 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
Documents and Filings heading. This is an easy method for interested
persons to submit brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can also file your comments electronically using the
eFiling feature located on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov)
under the Documents and Filings heading. 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; Indian tribes; 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. 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.
Copies of the draft EIS will be sent to the environmental mailing
list for public review and comment. If you would prefer to receive a
paper copy of the EIS instead of the compact disc version, or if you
would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the
attached Information Request (Appendix 2).
Becoming an Intervenor
Once CE FLNG 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 can be
found under the ``Getting Involved'' heading of the ``For Citizens''
section on the FERC 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. Click on the eLibrary
link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number,
excluding the last three digits (PF13-11). 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: December 5, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-29600 Filed 12-11-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P