Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned LA Storage, LLC Hackberry Storage Project, 67733-67736 [2020-23653]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 207 / Monday, October 26, 2020 / Notices availability and price data that shippers need to make informed decisions in a competitive market, and enables shippers and the Commission to monitor the market for potential abuses. Index of Customers Under 18 CFR 284.13(c) The regulation at 18 CFR 284.13(c) requires interstate pipelines to file an index of all its firm transportation and storage customers under contract. This index is due on the first business day of each calendar quarter. In addition, the index must be posted on the pipeline’s internet website in a downloadable format complying with specifications established by the Commission. The information posted on the pipeline’s internet website must be made available until the next quarterly index is posted. The requirements for the electronic index can be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Division of Information Services, Public Reference and Files Maintenance Branch, Washington, DC 20426. Peak-Day Annual Capacity Report Under 284.13(d)(2) The regulation at 18 CFR 284.13(d)(2) requires an annual peak-day capacity report of all interstate pipelines, including natural gas storage-only companies. This report is generally a short report showing the peak day design capacity or the actual peak day capacity achieved, with a short explanation, if needed. The regulation provides that an interstate pipeline must 67733 make an annual filing by March 1 of each year showing the estimated peak day capacity of the pipeline’s system, and the estimated storage capacity and maximum daily delivery capability of storage facilities under reasonably representative operating assumptions and the respective assignments of that capacity to the various firm services provided by the pipeline. Types of Respondents: Respondents for this data collection are interstate pipelines and storage facilities subject to FERC regulation under the Natural Gas Act. Estimate of Annual Burden: The Commission estimates the annual public reporting burden 1 for the information collection as shown in the following table: FERC–549B (GAS PIPELINE RATES: CAPACITY REPORTS AND INDEX OF CUSTOMERS) Average annual number of respondents Average annual number of responses per respondent Average annual total number of responses Average burden & cost per response 2 Total annual burden hours & total annual cost Cost per respondent ($) (1) (2) (1) * (2) = (3) (4) (3) * (4) = (5) (5) ÷ (1) 146,160 hrs.; $12,131,280. 2,016 hrs.; $167,328 .. 1,680 hrs.; $139,440 .. Capacity Reports under 284.13(b) & 284.13(d)(1). Index of Customers under 18 CFR 284.13(c) Peak Day Annual Capacity Report under 18 CFR 284.13(d)(2). Totals ....................................................... 168 6 1,008 145 hrs.; $146,160 ...... 168 168 4 1 672 168 3 hrs.; $249 ................. 10 hrs.; $830 ............... ........................ ........................ 1,848 ..................................... Comments: Comments are invited on: (1) Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden and cost of the collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collection; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Dated: October 20, 2020. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–23655 Filed 10–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P 1 The Commission defines burden as the total time, effort, or financial resources expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, or disclose or provide information to or for a Federal agency. For VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Oct 23, 2020 Jkt 253001 149,856 hrs.; $12,438,048. $72,210 996 830 74,036 The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Hackberry Storage Project involving construction and operation of facilities by LA Storage, LLC (LA Storage) in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana. The Commission will use this environmental document in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity. This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested agencies regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred to as ‘‘scoping.’’ The main goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental document on the important environmental issues. Additional information about the Commission’s NEPA process is described below in the NEPA Process and Environmental Document section of this notice. By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of issues to address in the environmental document. To ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your further explanation of what is included in the information collection burden, reference 5 CFR 1320.3. 2 The current average cost for one FERC full-time equivalent ($83.00 per hour for wages plus benefits) is used as a proxy for industry’s hourly cost. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. PF20–5–000] Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned LA Storage, LLC Hackberry Storage Project PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1 67734 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 207 / Monday, October 26, 2020 / Notices comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 19, 2020. Comments may be submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice. 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 environmental document. Commission staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the environmental document. If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before the opening of this docket on July 1, 2020, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. PF20–5–000 to ensure they are considered. 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 planned 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 planned facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission approves the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent domain to the company. 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. The Commission does not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters. A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know? addresses typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission’s proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Oct 23, 2020 Jkt 253001 the links to Natural Gas Questions or Landowner Topics. Public Participation There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208–3676 or FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. (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 FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF20–5–000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription, which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https:// www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription. Summary of the Planned Project The purpose of the Hackberry Storage Project is to construct and operate a high-deliverability salt dome natural gas storage facility in Cameron Parish, PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Louisiana, capable of providing 20.03 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of working gas storage capacity, 1.5 Bcf per day of gas deliverability and injectability, and interconnecting with the Cameron Interstate Pipeline (CIP) facilities operated by Cameron Interstate Pipeline, LLC and the Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector (PAPLC) facilities to be operated by Port Arthur Pipeline, LLC in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana. The project would involve the conversion of three existing salt dome caverns to natural gas storage service and the development of one new salt dome cavern for additional natural gas storage service, all within a permanent natural gas storage facility on a 160-acre tract of land owned by LA Storage. In addition to the storage caverns, LA Storage would construct and operate onsite compression facilities (Pelican Compressor Station) and up to six solution mining water supply wells at the storage facility on LA Storage’s property. The project would also construct: • The Hackberry Pipeline, consisting of approximately 11.4 miles of 42-inchdiameter natural gas pipeline connecting the certificated PAPLC pipeline (CP18–7) to the natural gas storage caverns; • the CIP Lateral, an approximately 5.2-mile-long, 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline extending from the existing CIP to the planned natural gas storage caverns; • metering and regulating at the CIP and PAPLC interconnects; and • an approximately 6.6-mile-long, 16inch-diameter brine disposal pipeline that would transport brine from the caverns to four saltwater disposal wells located on two pads north of the facility. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.1 Land Requirements for Construction Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 441 acres of land. Following construction, LA Storage would maintain about 235 acres for permanent operation of the project’s facilities; the remaining acreage would 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. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission’s Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID–19), issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact FERC at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll free, (886) 208–3676 or TTY (202) 502–8659. E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 207 / Monday, October 26, 2020 / Notices be restored and revert to former uses. The Hackberry Pipeline, CIP Lateral, and brine disposal pipeline would be collocated for 5.2 miles. NEPA Process and the Environmental Document Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the planned project under the relevant general resource areas: • Geology and soils; • water resources and wetlands; • vegetation and wildlife; • threatened and endangered species; • cultural resources; • land use; • air quality and noise; and • reliability and safety. Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the planned project or portions of the project and make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental document. Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff have already initiated a 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 Commission receives an application. As part of the pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the environmental document. If a formal application is filed, Commission staff will then determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission staff’s independent analysis of the environmental issues. If Commission staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an EA will be issued. The EA may be issued for an allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to Prepare an EIS/ Notice of Schedule will be issued once an application is filed, which will open an additional public comment period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS that VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Oct 23, 2020 Jkt 253001 will be issued for public comment. Commission staff will consider all timely comments received during the comment period on the draft EIS, and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and final EIS will be available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 2 and the Commission’s natural gas environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/ natural-gas/environment/ environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant email notification when the environmental document is issued. With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues related to this project to formally cooperate in the preparation of the environmental document.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. Consultation 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, the Commission is using this notice to initiate consultation with the 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.4 The environmental document for this project will document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. Environmental Mailing List The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties. This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the 2 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. 3 The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1501.6. 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 of Historic Places. PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 67735 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 and includes a mailing address with their comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the planned project. If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ‘‘Mailing List Update Form’’ (appendix 2). Becoming an Intervenor Once LA Storage files its application with the Commission, you may want to become an ‘‘intervenor’’ which is an official party to the Commission’s proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the Commission’s decision 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 pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully described at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/ how-to.asp. 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, after which the Commission will issue a public notice that establishes an intervention deadline. 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 website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number in the Docket Number field. 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 all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings. E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1 67736 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 207 / Monday, October 26, 2020 / Notices Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission’s calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/newsevents/events along with other related information. Dated: October 20, 2020. Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–23653 Filed 10–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Combined Notice of Filings Take notice that the Commission has received the following Natural Gas Pipeline Rate and Refund Report filings: Docket Numbers: RP20–1266–001. Applicants: Ozark Gas Transmission, L.L.C. Description: Compliance filing Ozark Gas Amended Non-Conforming Agreement to be effective 11/1/2020. Filed Date: 10/16/20. Accession Number: 20201016–5089. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/23/20. Docket Numbers: RP21–61–000. Applicants: Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Negotiated Rate Agreements FilingUnion Electric to be effective 11/1/2020. Filed Date: 10/16/20. Accession Number: 20201016–5070. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/28/20. Docket Numbers: RP21–62–000. Applicants: Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Negotiated Rate Agreement Filing-Nicor Gas to be effective 11/1/2020. Filed Date: 10/16/20. Accession Number: 20201016–5072. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/28/20. Docket Numbers: RP21–63–000. Applicants: Algonquin Gas Transmission, LLC. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Boston Gas 510366 Release to Direct Energy 803170 to be effective 10/17/2020. Filed Date: 10/16/20. Accession Number: 20201016–5083. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/28/20. Docket Numbers: RP21–64–000. Applicants: Centra Pipelines Minnesota Inc. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: Updated Shipper Index Dec 2020 to be effective 12/1/2020. Filed Date: 10/16/20. Accession Number: 20201016–5091. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/28/20. Docket Numbers: RP21–65–000. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 Oct 23, 2020 Jkt 253001 Applicants: Viking Gas Transmission Company. Description: § 4(d) Rate Filing: NonConforming Agreements AF0360 and AF0359 to be effective 11/20/2020. Filed Date: 10/16/20. Accession Number: 20201016–5184. Comments Due: 5 p.m. ET 10/28/20. The filings are accessible in the Commission’s eLibrary system (https:// elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/search/ fercgensearch.asp) by querying the docket number. 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 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the specified date(s). Protests may be considered, but intervention is necessary to become a party to the proceeding. eFiling is encouraged. More detailed information relating to filing requirements, interventions, protests, service, and qualifying facilities filings can be found at: https://www.ferc.gov/ docs-filing/efiling/filing-req.pdf. For other information, call (866) 208–3676 (toll free). For TTY, call (202) 502–8659. Dated: October 19, 2020. Nathaniel J. Davis, Sr., Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2020–23639 Filed 10–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Project No. 2614–041] Notice of Intent To File License Application, Filing of Pre-Application Document, Approving Use of the Traditional Licensing Process; City of Hamilton and American Municipal Power, Inc. a. Type of Filing: Notice of Intent to File License Application and Request to Use the Traditional Licensing Process. b. Project No.: 2614–041. c. Date Filed: August 28, 2020. d. Submitted By: The City of Hamilton, Ohio (City of Hamilton) and American Municipal Power, Inc. (AMP), co-Licensees. e. Name of Project: Greenup Hydroelectric Project. f. Location: The Greenup Hydroelectric Project is located at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (Corps) Greenup Locks and Dam on the Ohio River near the Town of Franklin Furnace in Scioto County, Ohio. The PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 project occupies 12.74 acres of federal land administered by the Corps. g. Filed Pursuant to: 18 CFR 5.3 of the Commission’s regulations. h. Potential Applicant Contacts: Daniel F. Moats, Director of Utility Operations, City of Hamilton, 345 High Street, Suite 450, Hamilton, OH 45011, (513) 785–7245, greenuplicensing@ hamilton-oh.gov; and Pamela M. Sullivan, Chief Operating Officer, American Municipal Power Inc., 1111 Schrock Road, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43229, (614) 540–1111. i. FERC Contact: Shana Wiseman at (202) 502–8736; or email at shana.wiseman@ferc.gov. j. The City of Hamilton and AMP filed their request to use the Traditional Licensing Process on August 28, 2020, and provided public notice of their request on the same date. In a letter dated October 19, 2020, the Director of the Division of Hydropower Licensing approved the City of Hamilton and AMP’s request to use the Traditional Licensing Process. k. With this notice, we are initiating informal consultation with 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; and NOAA Fisheries under section 305(b) of the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and implementing regulations at 50 CFR 600.920. We are also initiating consultation with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and the Kentucky SHPO, as required by section 106, National Historic 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 the City of Hamilton and AMP as the Commission’s non-federal representative for carrying out informal consultation pursuant to section 7 of the Endangered Species Act; and consultation pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. m. The City of Hamilton and AMP filed a Pre-Application Document (PAD); including a proposed process plan and schedule with the Commission, pursuant to 18 CFR 5.6 of the Commission’s regulations. n. A copy of the PAD may be viewed and/or printed on the Commission’s website (https://www.ferc.gov), using the eLibrary link. Enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. The PAD is also available on the applicant’s project website at https://hamiltonoh.squarespace.com/ E:\FR\FM\26OCN1.SGM 26OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 207 (Monday, October 26, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 67733-67736]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23653]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF20-5-000]


Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental 
Issues for the Planned LA Storage, LLC Hackberry Storage Project

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss 
the environmental impacts of the Hackberry Storage Project involving 
construction and operation of facilities by LA Storage, LLC (LA 
Storage) in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana. The Commission 
will use this environmental document in its decision-making process to 
determine whether the project is in the public convenience and 
necessity.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account 
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental 
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the 
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This 
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal 
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental 
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information 
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA 
Process and Environmental Document section of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the 
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. To ensure 
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your

[[Page 67734]]

comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or 
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on November 19, 2020. Comments may be 
submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments 
are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.
    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 environmental document. Commission 
staff will consider all written comments during the preparation of the 
environmental document.
    If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before 
the opening of this docket on July 1, 2020, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. PF20-5-000 to ensure they are considered.
    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 planned 
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 planned facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You 
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent 
domain to the company. 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. The Commission does 
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that 
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle 
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these 
matters.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know? addresses typically 
asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to 
participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet along with 
other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the links to Natural Gas Questions or 
Landowner Topics.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your 
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
    (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 FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF20-5-
000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must 
be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. 
Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly 
D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins 
Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription, which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances 
and submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. 
These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive 
notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce 
the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.

Summary of the Planned Project

    The purpose of the Hackberry Storage Project is to construct and 
operate a high-deliverability salt dome natural gas storage facility in 
Cameron Parish, Louisiana, capable of providing 20.03 billion cubic 
feet (Bcf) of working gas storage capacity, 1.5 Bcf per day of gas 
deliverability and injectability, and interconnecting with the Cameron 
Interstate Pipeline (CIP) facilities operated by Cameron Interstate 
Pipeline, LLC and the Port Arthur Pipeline Louisiana Connector (PAPLC) 
facilities to be operated by Port Arthur Pipeline, LLC in Cameron and 
Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana.
    The project would involve the conversion of three existing salt 
dome caverns to natural gas storage service and the development of one 
new salt dome cavern for additional natural gas storage service, all 
within a permanent natural gas storage facility on a 160-acre tract of 
land owned by LA Storage. In addition to the storage caverns, LA 
Storage would construct and operate on-site compression facilities 
(Pelican Compressor Station) and up to six solution mining water supply 
wells at the storage facility on LA Storage's property.
    The project would also construct:
     The Hackberry Pipeline, consisting of approximately 11.4 
miles of 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline connecting the 
certificated PAPLC pipeline (CP18-7) to the natural gas storage 
caverns;
     the CIP Lateral, an approximately 5.2-mile-long, 42-inch-
diameter natural gas pipeline extending from the existing CIP to the 
planned natural gas storage caverns;
     metering and regulating at the CIP and PAPLC 
interconnects; and
     an approximately 6.6-mile-long, 16-inch-diameter brine 
disposal pipeline that would transport brine from the caverns to four 
saltwater disposal wells located on two pads north of the facility.
    The general location of the project 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. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At 
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's 
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National 
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), 
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact 
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 441 
acres of land. Following construction, LA Storage would maintain about 
235 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the 
remaining acreage would

[[Page 67735]]

be restored and revert to former uses. The Hackberry Pipeline, CIP 
Lateral, and brine disposal pipeline would be collocated for 5.2 miles.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss 
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation 
of the planned project under the relevant general resource areas:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the 
planned project or portions of the project and make recommendations on 
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your 
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues 
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially 
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental 
document.
    Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff 
have already initiated a 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 Commission receives an application. As part of the 
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state 
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the 
preparation of the environmental document.
    If a formal application is filed, Commission staff will then 
determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present 
Commission staff's independent analysis of the environmental issues. If 
Commission staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an EA will be issued. The EA may be issued for an 
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely 
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed 
project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to 
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued once an application is 
filed, which will open an additional public comment period. Staff will 
then prepare a draft EIS that will be issued for public comment. 
Commission staff will consider all timely comments received during the 
comment period on the draft EIS, and revise the document, as necessary, 
before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and final EIS will be 
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary 
\2\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page 
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant 
email notification when the environmental document is issued.
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    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues related to this project to formally cooperate in 
the preparation of the environmental document.\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.
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    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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Consultation 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, the Commission is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the 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.\4\ The environmental document for this 
project will document our findings on the impacts on historic 
properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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    \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 of Historic 
Places.
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Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; Native 
American Tribes; and other interested parties. This list also includes 
all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's regulations) 
who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used 
temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within certain 
distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on 
the project and includes a mailing address with their comments. 
Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the 
analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this 
environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and 
government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the 
planned project.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would 
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please return the 
attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once LA Storage files its application with the Commission, you may 
want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the 
Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek 
rehearing of the Commission's decision 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 pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully 
described at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.asp. 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, after which the Commission will issue a 
public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.

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 website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on General Search and enter the docket number in 
the Docket Number field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate date 
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
[email protected] or toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the 
texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, 
notices, and rulemakings.

[[Page 67736]]

    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with 
other related information.

    Dated: October 20, 2020.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2020-23653 Filed 10-23-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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