Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Texas LNG Brownsville LLC Texas LNG Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review, 77126-77128 [2024-21474]
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77126
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 183 / Friday, September 20, 2024 / Notices
view and/or print the contents of this
document via the internet through the
Commission’s Home Page (https://
www.ferc.gov) using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link.
To access this document in eLibrary,
type the docket number excluding the
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Support at 202–502–6652 (toll free at 1–
866–208–3676) or email at
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Public Reference Room at (202) 502–
8371, TTY (202) 502–8659. Email the
Public Reference Room at
public.referenceroom@ferc.gov.
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filings of comments, protests
and interventions in lieu of paper using
the ‘‘eFiling’’ link at https://
www.ferc.gov. Persons unable to file
electronically may mail similar
pleadings to the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
NE, Washington, DC 20426. Hand
delivered submissions in docketed
proceedings should be delivered to
Health and Human Services, 12225
Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland
20852.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members and
others, access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Comment Date: 5:00 p.m. Eastern
Time on October 12, 2024.
Dated: September 16, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–21593 Filed 9–19–24; 8:45 am]
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Docket No. CP16–116–000]
Notice of Intent To Prepare a
Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Proposed Texas LNG
Brownsville LLC Texas LNG Project,
Request for Comments on
Environmental Issues, and Schedule
for Environmental Review
The staff of the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare a
supplemental environmental impact
statement (supplemental EIS) for the
Texas LNG Project, proposed by Texas
LNG Brownsville LLC (Texas LNG) in
Cameron County, Texas.1 On August 6,
2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit issued an
opinion vacating and remanding the
Commission’s November 22, 2019 Order
Granting Authorization under Section 3
of the Natural Gas Act and its April 21,
2023 Order on Remand that approved
the liquefied natural gas (LNG)
terminal.2 On remand, the Commission
will consider whether to grant a Natural
Gas Act (NGA) section 3(a)
authorization for the Texas LNG Project.
The schedule for preparation of the
supplemental EIS is discussed in the
Schedule for Environmental Review
section of this notice.
The Commission must determine
whether to authorize the project under
the NGA, taking into consideration the
factors discussed in the court’s decision.
The supplemental EIS will tier off
Commission staff’s analysis and
conclusions as documented in staff’s
March 15, 2019 final EIS for the project.
The focus of the supplemental EIS will
be the issues identified by the court as
requiring further analyses (i.e.,
environmental justice impacts and air
quality). The Commission will use this
supplemental EIS in its decision-making
process to determine whether to
authorize the Texas LNG Project in light
of the court’s vacatur and remand.
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 an
1 In accordance with the Council on
Environmental Quality’s regulations, the unique
identification number for documents relating to this
environmental review is SEIS–019–20–000–
1726224938. 40 CFR 1502.4(e)(10) (2024).
2 City of Port Isabel v. FERC, 111 F.4th 1198 (D.C.
Cir. 2024).
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16:44 Sep 19, 2024
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authorization. This notice announces
the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input
from the public and interested agencies
regarding the issues that will be
analyzed in the supplemental EIS.
Additional information about the
Commission’s NEPA process is
described below in the NEPA Process
and the Supplemental EIS section of
this notice.
By this notice, the Commission
requests public comments on the scope
of issues to address in the supplemental
EIS. 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 15, 2024.
Comments may be submitted in written
form. Further details on how to submit
comments are provided in the Public
Participation section of this notice.
Public Participation
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 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 also 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 (CP16–116–00)
on your letter. Submissions sent via the
U.S. Postal Service must be addressed
to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room
1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Submissions sent via any other carrier
E:\FR\FM\20SEN1.SGM
20SEN1
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 183 / Friday, September 20, 2024 / Notices
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne
Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins
Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852.
Additionally, 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.
The Commission’s Office of Public
Participation (OPP) supports meaningful
public engagement and participation in
Commission proceedings. OPP can help
members of the public, including
landowners, environmental justice
communities, Tribal members, and
others access publicly available
information and navigate Commission
processes. For public inquiries and
assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for
rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502–6595 or OPP@
ferc.gov.
Summary of the Proposed Project
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Texas LNG’s stated purpose of the
project is to site, construct, and operate
an LNG export terminal on the
Brownsville Ship Channel in Cameron
County, Texas to convert domestically
produced natural gas to LNG for storage
and export. Texas LNG states that it
intends to produce up to 4 million tons
per annum (MTPA) of LNG for export.
The Texas LNG Project would consist
of two natural gas liquefaction trains,
each with a nominal capacity of 2.0
MTPA; two LNG storage tanks; a single
LNG carrier berth; mooring and loading
facilities; and other appurtenant
facilities. The general location of the
project facilities is shown in appendix
1.3
Based on the environmental analysis
in the March 15, 2019 final EIS,
construction and installation of facilities
for the project would require temporary
disturbance of about 311.5 acres of land.
Following construction, the LNG
terminal site would encompass about
282 acres. The remaining 29.5 acres
would return to pre-construction
conditions and uses.
3 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. For assistance, contact FERC at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or call toll free, (886)
208–3676 or TTY (202) 502–8659.
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:44 Sep 19, 2024
Jkt 262001
The NEPA Process and the
Supplemental EIS
Schedule for Environmental Review
In order to address the court’s August
6, 2024 remand, Commission staff will
supplement the analysis from the 2019
final EIS. As noted above, the focus of
the supplemental EIS will be the issues
identified by the court as requiring
further analysis. Specifically, the
supplemental EIS will include: (1) an
updated analysis of the environmental
justice impacts associated with the
construction and operation of the Texas
LNG Project; and (2) a revised analysis
of air quality impacts resulting from
construction and operational emissions.
Commission staff will also make
recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid the impacts analyzed in the
supplemental EIS. Your comments will
help Commission staff focus its analysis
on the issues that may have a significant
effect on the human environment.
The supplemental EIS will present
Commission staff’s independent
analysis of the issues. Staff will prepare
a draft supplemental EIS which will be
issued for public comment. Commission
staff will consider all timely comments
received during the comment period on
the draft supplemental EIS and revise
the document, as necessary, before
issuing a final supplemental EIS. Any
draft and final supplemental EIS will be
available in electronic format in the
public record through eLibrary 4 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.
Alternatives Under Consideration
This supplemental EIS will evaluate
reasonable alternatives that are
technically and economically feasible
and meet the purpose and need for the
proposed action.5 Alternatives currently
under consideration include the noaction alternative, meaning the project
is not implemented.
With this notice, the Commission
requests specific comments regarding
any additional potential alternatives to
the proposed action. Please focus your
comments on reasonable alternatives
(including alternative facility sites not
previously analyzed) that meet the
project objectives, are technically and
economically feasible, and avoid or
lessen environmental impact.
4 For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer
to the last page of this notice.
5 40 CFR 1508.1(hh) (2024).
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77127
This notice identifies the Commission
staff’s planned schedule for completion
of the final supplemental EIS for the
project, which is based on an issuance
of the draft supplemental EIS in March
2025, opening a 45-day comment
period.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the
final supplemental EIS—July 31, 2025
90-day Federal Authorization Decision
Deadline 6 —October 29, 2025
In accordance with the Council on
Environmental Quality’s regulations, for
EISs, agencies are to make schedules for
completing the NEPA process publicly
available.7 This notice identifies the
Commission’s anticipated schedule for
issuance of the final order for the
project, which serves as the
Commission’s record of decision. We
currently anticipate issuing a final order
for the project no later than:
Issuance of Final Order—November 20,
2025
If a schedule change becomes
necessary, an additional notice will be
provided so that the relevant agencies
are kept informed of the project’s
progress.
Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the
Commission’s current environmental
mailing list for the project which
includes: federal, state, and local
government representatives and
agencies; Native American Tribes;
elected officials; environmental and
public interest groups; 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 project.
6 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.
7 40 CFR 1501.10(h) (2024).
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77128
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 183 / Friday, September 20, 2024 / Notices
If you need to make changes to your
name/address, or if you would like to
remove your name from the mailing list,
please complete one of the following
steps:
(1) Send an email to
GasProjectAddressChange@ferc.gov
stating your request. You must include
the docket number CP16–116–000 in
your request. If you are requesting a
change to your address, please be sure
to include your name and the correct
address. If you are requesting to delete
your address from the mailing list,
please include your name and address
as it appeared on this notice. This email
address is unable to accept comments.
OR
(2) Return the attached ‘‘Mailing List
Update Form’’ (appendix 2).
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 at 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, excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP16–116). Be sure you have selected
an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov
or (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.
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: September 13, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–21474 Filed 9–19–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
[Project No. P–7887–019]
Ashuelot River Hydro, Inc.; Notice of
Reasonable Period of Time for Water
Quality Certification Application
On August 27, 2024, the New
Hampshire Department of
Environmental Services (New
Hampshire DES) submitted to the
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
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16:44 Sep 19, 2024
Jkt 262001
(Commission) notice that it received a
request for a Clean Water Act section
401(a)(1) water quality certification as
defined in 40 CFR 121.5, from Ashuelot
River Hydro, Inc., in conjunction with
the above captioned project on July 8,
2024. Pursuant to section 4.34(b) of the
Commission’s regulations,1 we hereby
notify New Hampshire DES of the
following:
Date of Receipt of the Certification
Request: July 8, 2024.
Reasonable Period of Time to Act on
the Certification Request: One year, July
8, 2025.
If New Hampshire DES fails or refuses
to act on the water quality certification
request on or before the above date, then
the certifying authority is deemed
waived pursuant to section 401(a)(1) of
the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.
1341(a)(1).
Dated: September 16, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024–21595 Filed 9–19–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission
[Project No. 2232–893]
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC; Notice of
Application for Non-Project Use of
Project Land and Waters Accepted for
Filing, Soliciting Comments, Motions
To Intervene, and Protests
September 16, 2024.
Take notice that the following
hydroelectric application has been filed
with the Commission and is available
for public inspection:
a. Application Type: Non-Project Use
of Project Lands and Waters.
b. Project No: 2232–893.
c. Date Filed: July 31, 2024.
d. Applicant: Duke Energy Carolinas,
LLC.
e. Name of Project: Catawba-Wateree
Hydroelectric Project.
f. Location: Bridgewater Development
(Lake James) in McDowell County,
North Carolina.
g. Filed Pursuant to: Federal Power
Act, 16 U.S.C. 791a–825r.
h. Applicant Contact: Dennis
Whitaker, 704–382–1594,
dennis.whitaker@duke-energy.com.
i. FERC Contact: Shana High, 202–
502–8674, shana.high@ferc.gov.
j. Cooperating agencies: With this
notice, the Commission is inviting
1
PO 00000
18 CFR [4.34(b)(5)].
Frm 00054
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies
with jurisdiction and/or special
expertise with respect to environmental
issues affected by the proposal, that
wish to cooperate in the preparation of
any environmental document, if
applicable, to follow the instructions for
filing such requests described in item k
below. Cooperating agencies should
note the Commission’s policy that
agencies that cooperate in the
preparation of any environmental
document cannot also intervene. See 94
FERC ¶ 61,076 (2001).
k. Deadline for filing comments,
motions to intervene, and protests:
October 16, 2024.
The Commission strongly encourages
electronic filing. Please file comments,
motions to intervene, and protests using
the Commission’s eFiling system at
https://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
efiling.asp. Commenters can submit
brief comments up to 6,000 characters,
without prior registration, using the
eComment system at https://
www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/
ecomment.asp. For assistance, please
contact FERC Online Support at
FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov, (866)
208–3676 (toll free), or (202) 502–8659
(TTY). In lieu of electronic filing, you
may submit a paper copy. Submissions
sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be
addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street
NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
Submissions sent via any other carrier
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A.
Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins
Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
The first page of any filing should
include the docket number P–2232–893.
Comments emailed to Commission staff
are not considered part of the
Commission record.
The Commission’s Rules of Practice
and Procedure require all intervenors
filing documents with the Commission
to serve a copy of that document on
each person whose name appears on the
official service list for the project.
Further, if an intervenor files comments
or documents with the Commission
relating to the merits of an issue that
may affect the responsibilities of a
particular resource agency, they must
also serve a copy of the document on
that resource agency.
l. Description of Request: The
licensee’s application requests
Commission authorization to permit
The Reserve at Barefoot Landing on
Lake James, LLC (The Reserve) to
construct a residential marina. Within
the project boundary, The Reserve’s
marina would consist of seven floating
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 183 (Friday, September 20, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77126-77128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-21474]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP16-116-000]
Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact
Statement for the Proposed Texas LNG Brownsville LLC Texas LNG Project,
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for
Environmental Review
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement
(supplemental EIS) for the Texas LNG Project, proposed by Texas LNG
Brownsville LLC (Texas LNG) in Cameron County, Texas.\1\ On August 6,
2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
issued an opinion vacating and remanding the Commission's November 22,
2019 Order Granting Authorization under Section 3 of the Natural Gas
Act and its April 21, 2023 Order on Remand that approved the liquefied
natural gas (LNG) terminal.\2\ On remand, the Commission will consider
whether to grant a Natural Gas Act (NGA) section 3(a) authorization for
the Texas LNG Project. The schedule for preparation of the supplemental
EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental Review section of
this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's
regulations, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is SEIS-019-20-000-1726224938. 40 CFR
1502.4(e)(10) (2024).
\2\ City of Port Isabel v. FERC, 111 F.4th 1198 (D.C. Cir.
2024).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Commission must determine whether to authorize the project
under the NGA, taking into consideration the factors discussed in the
court's decision. The supplemental EIS will tier off Commission staff's
analysis and conclusions as documented in staff's March 15, 2019 final
EIS for the project. The focus of the supplemental EIS will be the
issues identified by the court as requiring further analyses (i.e.,
environmental justice impacts and air quality). The Commission will use
this supplemental EIS in its decision-making process to determine
whether to authorize the Texas LNG Project in light of the court's
vacatur and remand.
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 an authorization. This
notice announces the opening of the scoping process the Commission will
use to gather input from the public and interested agencies regarding
the issues that will be analyzed in the supplemental EIS. Additional
information about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in
the NEPA Process and the Supplemental EIS section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the supplemental EIS. 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 15, 2024. Comments may be submitted
in written form. Further details on how to submit comments are provided
in the Public Participation section of this notice.
Public Participation
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
[email protected]. 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 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 also 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 (CP16-
116-00) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier
[[Page 77127]]
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD
20852.
Additionally, 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.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners,
environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others access
publicly available information and navigate Commission processes. For
public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
Summary of the Proposed Project
Texas LNG's stated purpose of the project is to site, construct,
and operate an LNG export terminal on the Brownsville Ship Channel in
Cameron County, Texas to convert domestically produced natural gas to
LNG for storage and export. Texas LNG states that it intends to produce
up to 4 million tons per annum (MTPA) of LNG for export.
The Texas LNG Project would consist of two natural gas liquefaction
trains, each with a nominal capacity of 2.0 MTPA; two LNG storage
tanks; a single LNG carrier berth; mooring and loading facilities; and
other appurtenant facilities. The general location of the project
facilities is shown in appendix 1.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ 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. For
assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Based on the environmental analysis in the March 15, 2019 final
EIS, construction and installation of facilities for the project would
require temporary disturbance of about 311.5 acres of land. Following
construction, the LNG terminal site would encompass about 282 acres.
The remaining 29.5 acres would return to pre-construction conditions
and uses.
The NEPA Process and the Supplemental EIS
In order to address the court's August 6, 2024 remand, Commission
staff will supplement the analysis from the 2019 final EIS. As noted
above, the focus of the supplemental EIS will be the issues identified
by the court as requiring further analysis. Specifically, the
supplemental EIS will include: (1) an updated analysis of the
environmental justice impacts associated with the construction and
operation of the Texas LNG Project; and (2) a revised analysis of air
quality impacts resulting from construction and operational emissions.
Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or
avoid the impacts analyzed in the supplemental EIS. Your comments will
help Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a
significant effect on the human environment.
The supplemental EIS will present Commission staff's independent
analysis of the issues. Staff will prepare a draft supplemental EIS
which will be issued for public comment. Commission staff will consider
all timely comments received during the comment period on the draft
supplemental EIS and revise the document, as necessary, before issuing
a final supplemental EIS. Any draft and final supplemental EIS will be
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary
\4\ 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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\4\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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Alternatives Under Consideration
This supplemental EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that
are technically and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need
for the proposed action.\5\ Alternatives currently under consideration
include the no-action alternative, meaning the project is not
implemented.
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\5\ 40 CFR 1508.1(hh) (2024).
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With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action.
Please focus your comments on reasonable alternatives (including
alternative facility sites not previously analyzed) that meet the
project objectives, are technically and economically feasible, and
avoid or lessen environmental impact.
Schedule for Environmental Review
This notice identifies the Commission staff's planned schedule for
completion of the final supplemental EIS for the project, which is
based on an issuance of the draft supplemental EIS in March 2025,
opening a 45-day comment period.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final supplemental EIS--July
31, 2025
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \6\--October 29, 2025
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\6\ 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.
In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's
regulations, for EISs, agencies are to make schedules for completing
the NEPA process publicly available.\7\ This notice identifies the
Commission's anticipated schedule for issuance of the final order for
the project, which serves as the Commission's record of decision. We
currently anticipate issuing a final order for the project no later
than:
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\7\ 40 CFR 1501.10(h) (2024).
Issuance of Final Order--November 20, 2025
If a schedule change becomes necessary, an additional notice will
be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the
project's progress.
Environmental Mailing List
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for the project which includes: federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; Native American Tribes;
elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; 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 project.
[[Page 77128]]
If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
(1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP16-116-000 in your
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to
accept comments.
OR
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).
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 at 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, excluding the last three digits (i.e.,
CP16-116). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
[email protected] or (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.
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: September 13, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-21474 Filed 9-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P