[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 22 (Tuesday, February 3, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5141-5143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-164]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF04-1-000]


Golden Pass LNG LP and Golden Pass Pipeline LP; Notice of 
Environmental Review and Scoping for the Golden Pass LNG Terminal and 
Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues

January 26, 2004.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that 
will discuss the environmental impacts of Golden Pass LNG LP's and 
Golden Pass Pipeline LP's (collectively referred to as Golden Pass) 
proposed Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project in Texas and 
Louisiana. The proposed facilities would consist of a liquefied natural 
gas (LNG) import terminal and one or more interconnecting pipelines. 
The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making process to 
determine whether or not the project is in the public convenience and 
necessity.
    The Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project is currently in 
the preliminary design stage. At this time no formal application has 
been filed with the FERC. For this project, the FERC staff is 
initiating its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review prior to 
receiving the application. This will allow interested stakeholders to 
be involved early in project planning and to identify and resolve 
issues before an application is filed with the FERC. A docket number 
(PF04-1-000) has been established to place information filed by Golden 
Pass and related documents issued by the Commission, into the public 
record.\1\ Once a formal application is filed with the FERC, a new 
docket number will be established.
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    \1\ To view information in the docket, follow the instructions 
for using the eLibrary link at the end of this notice.
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    This notice is being sent to residents within 0.5 mile of the 
proposed LNG terminal site; landowners along the various pipeline 
routes under consideration; Federal, state, and local government 
agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; 
Native American tribes; and local libraries and newspapers.
    With this notice, we \2\ are asking these and other Federal, state, 
and local agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with 
respect to environmental issues to formally cooperate with us in the 
preparation of the EIS. These agencies may choose to participate once 
they have evaluated the proposal relative to their responsibilities. 
Agencies which would like to request cooperating status should follow 
the instructions for filing comments described later in this notice. We 
encourage government representatives to notify their constituents of 
this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of 
concern.
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    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Office of Energy Projects.
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    Some affected landowners may be contacted by a project 
representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct, 
operate, and maintain the proposed pipeline. If so, the company should 
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. In the event that 
the project is certificated by the Commission, that approval conveys 
the right of eminent domain for securing easements for the pipeline. 
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
state law.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Golden Pass proposes to construct and operate an LNG import 
terminal and natural gas pipeline to import LNG and deliver up to 2 
billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas to existing 
intrastate and interstate pipeline systems.
    The LNG receiving terminal would be located approximately 10 miles 
south of Port Arthur, Jefferson County, Texas and 2 miles northwest of 
the town of Sabine Pass on the Sabine-Neches Waterway (Port Author Ship 
Channel). The terminal would be designed to accept LNG cargoes, 
temporarily store and vaporize LNG, and would contain up to five LNG 
storage tanks with an approximate capacity of 160,000 cubic meters (m3) 
each. It would be constructed in two phases, with a nominal output of 1 
billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) for the first phase (three LNG 
tanks), increasing to 2 Bcf/d in the second phase when all five LNG 
storage tanks are in operation. Each tank would be approximately 150 
feet tall and 250 feet in diameter.
    The terminal would contain a dedicated slip and berths capable of 
accommodating the unloading of two LNG tankers. The berths would be 
designed for 200,000 m3 LNG tankers, such that the entire ship within 
the slip would be outside of the existing ship channel. One LNG tanker 
would visit the terminal every 4 days in the initial

[[Page 5142]]

phase, increasing to one tanker every 2 days in the second phase.
    A 36-inch-diameter sendout pipeline would also be constructed to 
transport the vaporized natural gas to interconnections with as many as 
12 existing intrastate and interstate pipeline systems. Metering 
facilities would be installed at each of the interconnections. The 
pipeline would extend approximately 75 miles north from the terminal to 
an interstate interconnection near Starks, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. 
The pipeline would pass through Jefferson, Orange, and Newton Counties, 
Texas, and Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Approximately 63 miles of 36-
inch-diameter pipeline would be constructed in Texas and 12 miles would 
be constructed in Louisiana. Additionally, a 5-mile-long pipeline 
lateral would be constructed between the sendout pipeline and the 
existing ExxonMobil Beaumont refinery in Jefferson County, Texas.
    A map depicting the proposed terminal site and the preliminary 
pipeline route is provided in appendix 1.3, 4
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the 
Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) at the 
``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference and 
Files Maintenance Branch at (202) 502-8371. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary refer to the last page of this notice.
    \4\ Requests for detailed maps of the facilities may be made to 
the company directly. Call or e-mail: Jason B. Dupres, (281) 654-
3456 or [email protected]. Be as specific as you can 
about the location(s) of your area(s) of interest.
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Land Requirements

    The proposed Golden Pass LNG terminal would be constructed and 
operated within an approximate 560-acre site. The ship berths would 
require dredging to achieve the required size and depth to accommodate 
the LNG tanker ships.
    The sendout and lateral pipeline would be constructed on a nominal 
100-foot-wide right-of-way with occasional increases in the right-of-
way width for additional workspace at waterbody, highway, and railroad 
crossings, and for topsoil storage, and would affect about 1,000 acres. 
Other temporary land requirements would include land for pipe storage 
and equipment yards. Operation of the pipeline facilities would require 
a nominal 50-foot-wide permanent right-of-way, affecting about 450 
acres.

The EIS Process

    NEPA requires the Commission to take into account the environmental 
impacts that could result from an action whenever it considers the 
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, or an 
import authorization under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also 
requires us to discover and address issues and 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 EIS on 
the important environmental issues and reasonable alternatives. By this 
notice, we are requesting agency and public comments on the scope of 
the issues to be analyzed and presented in the EIS. All scoping 
comments received will be considered during the preparation of the EIS. 
To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the 
instructions in the public participation section of this notice.
    The EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project under these general 
headings:

 geology and soils
 water resources, fisheries, and wetlands
 vegetation and wildlife
 endangered and threatened species
 land use
 cultural resources
 air quality and noise
 public safety

    Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in a draft 
EIS. The draft EIS will be mailed to Federal, state, and local 
government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public 
interest groups; Native American tribes; affected landowners; other 
interested parties; local libraries and newspapers; and the 
Commission's official service list for this proceeding. A 45-day 
comment period will be allotted for review of the draft EIS. We will 
consider all comments on the draft EIS and revise the document, as 
necessary, before issuing a final EIS. In addition, we will consider 
all comments on the final EIS before we make our recommendations to the 
Commission.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have identified several issues that we think deserve attention 
based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and the 
environmental resources present in the project area. This preliminary 
list of issues may be changed based information obtained during the 
public participation period and on our continuing analysis:

 Geology and Soils
     Assessment of dredged material management plan, 
including the potential for beneficial uses of dredged material.
 Water Resources
     Assessment of construction effects on water 
quality.
     Review of wetland areas impacted on the terminal 
site.
     Potential impacts of a thermal (cold water) 
discharge.
 Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation
     Impingement/entrainment at seawater intake.
     Effects on wildlife and fisheries including 
commercial and recreational fisheries.
     Potential effect of electric transmission lines 
on shore birds and other birds.
 Endangered and Threatened Species
     Effects on federally-listed species including 
the Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle, Green Sea Turtle, and Loggerhead Sea 
Turtle.
     Effects on essential fish habitat.
 Reliability and Safety
     Safety and security of the terminal and 
pipeline.
     LNG shipping.
    Our evaluation will also include possible alternatives to the 
proposed project or portions of the project, and we will make 
recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various 
resource areas of concern.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the project. By becoming a commentor, your 
concerns will be addressed in the EIS and considered by the Commission. 
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the 
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative locations 
and routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. 
Golden Pass has established a preliminary pipeline route for the 
project; however, if minor reroutes or variations are required to avoid 
or minimize impacts to certain features on your property, this is your 
opportunity to assist us and Golden Pass in identifying your specific 
areas of concern. The more specific your comments, the more useful they 
will be. Please carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your 
comments are received and properly recorded:
     Send an original and two copies of your letter 
to: Magalie R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 
888 First St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426;
     Label one copy of your comments for the 
attention of Gas Branch 2; and

[[Page 5143]]

     Peference Docket No. PF04-1-000 on the original 
and both copies.
    Please note that we are continuing to experience delays in mail 
deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service. As a result, we will include 
all comments that we receive within a reasonable time frame in our 
environmental analysis of this project. However, the Commission 
encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions or 
protests to this proceeding. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the 
instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.govunder 
the ``eFiling'' link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you can 
file comments you will need to create a free account which can be 
created by clicking on ``Login to File'' and then ``New User Account.''
    If you do not want to send comments at this time but still want to 
remain on our mailing list, please return the Mailing List Retention 
Form included in Appendix 2.

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208 FERC (3372) or on 
the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). Using the 
``eLibrary'' link, select ``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, 
enter the selected date range and ``Docket Number'' (i.e., PF04-1-000), 
and follow the instructions. Searches may also be done using the phrase 
``Golden Pass'' in the ``Text Search'' field. For assistance with 
access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at 1-866-208-3676, TTY 
(202) 502-8659, or at [email protected]. The eLibrary link on 
the FERC Internet Web site also provides access to the texts of formal 
documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule 
makings.
    In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called 
eSubscription that allows you to keep track of all formal issuances and 
submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time you 
spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. To register for this service, go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E4-164 Filed 2-2-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P