Rio Grande LNG, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Carbon Capture and Sequestration System Amendment, 75248 [2022-26678]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 235 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 75248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-26678]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-17-000]


Rio Grande LNG, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Carbon Capture and 
Sequestration System Amendment

    On November 17, 2021, Rio Grande LNG, LLC filed an application in 
Docket No. CP22-17-000 requesting a Limited Amendment to Rio Grande 
LNG, LLC's November 22, 2019 Authorization pursuant to Section 3 of the 
Natural Gas Act. The proposed project is known as the Carbon Capture 
and Sequestration System Amendment (Project) and would incorporate 
carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) systems into the site and design 
of the Rio Grande LNG Terminal, which was previously approved by the 
Commission on November 22, 2019.
    On November 29, 2021, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. 
Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal 
authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and 
to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization 
within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's 
environmental document for the Project.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule 
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
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    \1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
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Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--May 5, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--August 3, 2023
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    \2\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other 
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally 
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal 
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed 
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the 
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a 
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.

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

Project Description

    The Project would incorporate CCS systems into the approved site 
and design of the Rio Grande LNG Terminal in Cameron County, Texas. The 
proposed CCS facilities consist of the following: flue gas cooling and 
carbon dioxide absorption, dehydration, and compression equipment; 
amine regenerator and reboiler; and hot oil system.

Background

    On September 2, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Carbon Capture and Sequestration System Amendment and Notice of Public 
Scoping Sessions (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping was sent to 
affected landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; 
elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native 
American tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and 
newspapers. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission 
received comments from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency; Texas Governor Greg Abbott; Texas 
Parks and Wildlife Department; Cameron County; Another Gulf; Friends of 
the Wildlife Corridor; Save RGV; Sierra Club (including the Lower Rio 
Grande Valley Group); Rio Grande LNG, LLC; and numerous individuals. 
The primary issues raised by the commenters related to general 
opposition to or support for the Project; climate change, air quality, 
and greenhouse gas emissions; environmental justice; wetlands and water 
quality; vegetation and wildlife; and impacts related to the Project's 
non-jurisdictional facilities. All substantive comments will be 
addressed in the EA.
    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is a cooperating agency in the 
preparation of the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, the 
Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This service 
provides automatic notification of filings made to subscribed dockets, 
document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
    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., 
CP22-17), 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: December 2, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-26678 Filed 12-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P