Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC Rio Grande LNG Project, 45427-45428 [2018-19398]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 174 / Friday, September 7, 2018 / Notices The U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Department of Energy are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EA. Additional Information In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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/docsfiling/esubscription.asp. Additional information about the Project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the eLibrary link, select General Search from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and Docket Number excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP17–470), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. Dated: August 31, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. NGA to construct, operate, and maintain certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The combined projects, collectively referred to as the Rio Grande LNG Project, would provide gas and processing to produce up to 27 million tons per annum of LNG for export. On August 17, 2016, in Order No. 3869, the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, granted to RG LNG a long-term, multi-contract authorization to export LNG to Free Trade Agreement nations. On May 19, 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) issued its Notice of Application for the project. Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff’s final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rio Grande LNG Project. This instant notice identifies the FERC staff’s planned schedule for completion of the final EIS for the project, which is based on an issuance of the draft EIS in October 2018. The forecasted schedule for both the draft and final EIS is based upon RG LNG and RB Pipeline providing complete and timely responses to any future data requests. In addition, the schedule assumes that the cooperating agencies will provide input on their areas of responsibility on a timely basis. Schedule for Environmental Review Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS—April 26, 2019 90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline—July 25, 2019 If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the project’s progress. [FR Doc. 2018–19402 Filed 9–6–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket Nos. CP16–454–000; CP16–455– 000] Project Description daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Rio Grande LNG, LLC and Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC Rio Grande LNG Project On May 5, 2016, Rio Grande LNG, LLC (RG LNG) filed an application in Docket No. CP16–454–000 requesting authorization pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to construct and operate liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities. On the same day, Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC (RB Pipeline) filed an application in Docket No. CP16–455–000, requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Sep 06, 2018 Jkt 244001 RG LNG and RB Pipeline, collectively the Rio Grande Developers (RG Developers), propose to construct and operate natural gas pipelines and liquefaction facilities in Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kenedy, Willacy, and Cameron Counties, Texas. The Rio Bravo Pipeline would include two new parallel 42inch-diameter natural gas pipelines, each about 135.5 miles long, capable of transporting 4.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. In addition, a 2.4mile-long header system at the origin of the pipelines would interconnect with existing natural gas transmission pipelines. The pipeline facilities would PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45427 include three new compressor stations in Kleberg, Kenedy, and Cameron Counties and two new interconnect booster stations in Kenedy County. The Rio Grande LNG Terminal would be located on 750.4 acres of an approximately 1,000-acre site along the Brownsville Ship Channel about 5.5 miles inland from the channel entrance, in Cameron County, Texas. The terminal would include six liquefaction trains capable of producing 27 million tons per annum of LNG; marine facilities, including two LNG berths, a turning basin, and a material offloading facility; truck loading and unloading facilities for LNG and natural gas liquids; and four LNG storage tanks. If approved, RG Developers would construct the project in stages. Operation of the first liquefaction train, and one of the two parallel pipelines, is proposed to begin during the fourth quarter of 2021; operation of the full project is proposed for early 2025. Background On April 13, 2015, the Commission staff granted the RG Developers’ request to use the FERC’s Pre-filing environmental review process. On July 23, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Rio Grande LNG Project and Rio Bravo Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings (NOI) in Docket No. PF15–20–000. The NOI was issued during the pre-filing review of the project, and was sent to federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; affected landowners; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes and regional organizations; commentors and other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. Major issues raised during scoping include impacts on wildlife and wildlife habitat (including threatened and endangered species), aquatic resources, surface water, wetlands, public lands, visual resources, local ecotourism, public health and safety, air and noise quality, and cumulative impacts. The U.S Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Park Service, and Federal Aviation Administration are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS. E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1 45428 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 174 / Friday, September 7, 2018 / Notices Additional Information In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EIS and to keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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/docsfiling/esubscription.asp. Additional information about the project is available from the Commission’s Office of External Affairs at (866) 208–FERC or on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the eLibrary link, select General Search from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and Docket Number excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP16–454 or CP16–455), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208–3676, TTY (202) 502–8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. Dated: August 31, 2018. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–19398 Filed 9–6–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP18–525–000] daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP Willis Lateral Project, and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues 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 Willis Lateral Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Gulf South Pipeline Company, LP (Gulf South) in Montgomery and San Jacinto Counties, Texas. The Commission will use this EA in its VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:55 Sep 06, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 about issues regarding the project. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to discover 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. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 1, 2018. You can make a difference by submitting 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. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission staff will consider and address all filed comments during the preparation of the EA. If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on July 13, 2018, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP18–525–000 to ensure they are considered as part of this proceeding. 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 proposed project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You are not required to enter into an agreement. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 However, if the Commission approves the project, that approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be determined by a judge in accordance with state law. Gulf South provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ‘‘An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?’’ 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. It is also available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Public Participation For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208–3676 or FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature, which is located on the Commission’s website (www.ferc.gov) under the link to Documents and Filings. Using eComment is an easy method for submitting brief, text-only comments on a project; (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling feature, which is located on the Commission’s website (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 can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP18–525– 000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. E:\FR\FM\07SEN1.SGM 07SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45427-45428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19398]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP16-454-000; CP16-455-000]


Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review of the Rio Grande 
LNG, LLC and Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC Rio Grande LNG Project

    On May 5, 2016, Rio Grande LNG, LLC (RG LNG) filed an application 
in Docket No. CP16-454-000 requesting authorization pursuant to Section 
3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to construct and operate liquefied 
natural gas (LNG) export facilities. On the same day, Rio Bravo 
Pipeline Company, LLC (RB Pipeline) filed an application in Docket No. 
CP16-455-000, requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the NGA to construct, operate, 
and maintain certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The combined 
projects, collectively referred to as the Rio Grande LNG Project, would 
provide gas and processing to produce up to 27 million tons per annum 
of LNG for export. On August 17, 2016, in Order No. 3869, the U.S. 
Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy, granted to RG LNG a 
long-term, multi-contract authorization to export LNG to Free Trade 
Agreement nations.
    On May 19, 2016, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) issued its Notice of Application for the project. Among 
other things, that notice alerted other agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on the request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's final 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Rio Grande LNG Project. 
This instant notice identifies the FERC staff's planned schedule for 
completion of the final EIS for the project, which is based on an 
issuance of the draft EIS in October 2018. The forecasted schedule for 
both the draft and final EIS is based upon RG LNG and RB Pipeline 
providing complete and timely responses to any future data requests. In 
addition, the schedule assumes that the cooperating agencies will 
provide input on their areas of responsibility on a timely basis.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--April 26, 2019

90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--July 25, 2019

    If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an 
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are 
kept informed of the project's progress.

Project Description

    RG LNG and RB Pipeline, collectively the Rio Grande Developers (RG 
Developers), propose to construct and operate natural gas pipelines and 
liquefaction facilities in Jim Wells, Kleberg, Kenedy, Willacy, and 
Cameron Counties, Texas. The Rio Bravo Pipeline would include two new 
parallel 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipelines, each about 135.5 miles 
long, capable of transporting 4.5 billion cubic feet per day of natural 
gas. In addition, a 2.4-mile-long header system at the origin of the 
pipelines would interconnect with existing natural gas transmission 
pipelines. The pipeline facilities would include three new compressor 
stations in Kleberg, Kenedy, and Cameron Counties and two new 
interconnect booster stations in Kenedy County.
    The Rio Grande LNG Terminal would be located on 750.4 acres of an 
approximately 1,000-acre site along the Brownsville Ship Channel about 
5.5 miles inland from the channel entrance, in Cameron County, Texas. 
The terminal would include six liquefaction trains capable of producing 
27 million tons per annum of LNG; marine facilities, including two LNG 
berths, a turning basin, and a material offloading facility; truck 
loading and unloading facilities for LNG and natural gas liquids; and 
four LNG storage tanks. If approved, RG Developers would construct the 
project in stages. Operation of the first liquefaction train, and one 
of the two parallel pipelines, is proposed to begin during the fourth 
quarter of 2021; operation of the full project is proposed for early 
2025.

Background

    On April 13, 2015, the Commission staff granted the RG Developers' 
request to use the FERC's Pre-filing environmental review process. On 
July 23, 2015, the Commission issued a Notice of Intent to Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Planned Rio Grande LNG Project 
and Rio Bravo Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental 
Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings (NOI) in Docket No. PF15-
20-000. The NOI was issued during the pre-filing review of the project, 
and was sent to federal, state, and local government agencies; elected 
officials; affected landowners; environmental and public interest 
groups; Native American tribes and regional organizations; commentors 
and other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. Major 
issues raised during scoping include impacts on wildlife and wildlife 
habitat (including threatened and endangered species), aquatic 
resources, surface water, wetlands, public lands, visual resources, 
local ecotourism, public health and safety, air and noise quality, and 
cumulative impacts.
    The U.S Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S Department of 
Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries 
Service, National Park Service, and Federal Aviation Administration are 
cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS.

[[Page 45428]]

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EIS and to 
keep track of all formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 
the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. 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/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the eLibrary link, select General 
Search from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and Docket 
Number excluding the last three digits (i.e., CP16-454 or CP16-455), 
and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, 
the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or 
at [email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC website 
also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the 
Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: August 31, 2018.
Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr.,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-19398 Filed 9-6-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


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