[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 99 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29296-29299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-1193]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF04-3-000 and PF04-9-000]


Vista del Sol LNG Terminal LP and Vista del Sol Pipeline LP; 
Ingleside Energy Center LLC and San Patricio Pipeline LLC; Notice of 
Intent To Prepare Environmental Impact Statements for the Proposed 
Vista Del Sol LNG Terminal Project and the Ingleside Energy Center LNG 
Terminal and Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on Environmental 
Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meeting

May 13, 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 Vista del Sol LNG Terminal 
LP's and Vista del Sol Pipeline LP's (affiliates of the ExxonMobil 
Corporation that are collectively referred to as Vista del Sol) 
proposed Vista del Sol LNG Terminal Project. In addition, the staff of 
the FERC will prepare a separate EIS that will discuss the 
environmental impacts of Ingleside Energy Center LLC's and San Patricio 
Pipeline LLC's (collectively referred to as Ingleside San Patricio) 
proposed Ingleside Energy Center LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project. 
This notice explains the scoping process we \1\ will use to gather 
input from the public and interested agencies on the projects. Your 
input will help us determine which issues need to be evaluated in each 
EIS. Please note that the scoping period for both projects will close 
on June 18, 2004.
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    \1\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Office of Energy Projects.
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    Due to the similarity between the projects, which include 
geography, potential impacts, and affected parties, we have decided to 
issue a joint notice. This joint notice eliminates the redundancy and 
costs of duplicate mailings. In addition, we wish to provide 
convenience to interested parties by holding a single joint public 
scoping meeting.
    Comments may be submitted by electronic submission, in written 
form, or verbally. Further details on how to submit comments are 
provided in the public participation section of this notice. In lieu of 
sending comments, we invite you to attend the public scoping meeting we 
have scheduled as follows: Wednesday, June 9, 2004, 7 p.m. (c.s.t.), 
Vista del Sol LNG Terminal Project, and

[[Page 29297]]

Ingleside Energy Center LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project, Portland 
Community Center, 2000 Billy G Webb, Portland, TX 78374, telephone: 
(361) 777-3301.
    In addition, on Wednesday, June 9, 2004, starting at 8 a.m. 
(c.s.t.), we will be conducting a visit to the Ingleside Energy Center 
LNG site and along the pipeline route. Anyone interested in 
participating in the site visit should meet at the lobby of the Comfort 
Inn, 1703 N Highway 181, Portland, Texas 78374. Participants must 
provide their own transportation. For additional information, please 
contact the Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC 
(3372).
    The FERC will be the lead Federal agency in the preparation of each 
EIS. The documents will satisfy the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
    This notice is being 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. We encourage government 
representatives to notify their constituents of these planned projects 
and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.

Summary of the Proposed Vista del Sol LNG Terminal Project

    Vista del Sol proposes to construct and operate an LNG import 
terminal and a natural gas pipeline to provide a new supply of 
competitively priced natural gas to Texas and other U.S. domestic 
markets. The LNG import terminal would be situated between the Sherwin 
Alumina and DuPont industrial facilities on the La Quinta Ship Channel 
between Ingleside and Portland, Texas. The proposed pipeline, extending 
from the LNG terminal to a site near Sinton, Texas, would transport 
natural gas to market via interconnections with a number of existing 
interstate and intrastate pipeline systems. The general location of the 
facilities is shown in appendix 1.\2\ The Vista del Sol LNG Terminal 
Project would include:
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    \2\ The appendix referenced in this notice is not being printed 
in the Federal Register. Copies of the appendix were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail. Requests for detailed maps 
of the proposed facilities should be made directly to Vista del Sol 
(see http://www.vistadelsollng.com for contact information).
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     A berthing structure and unloading facilities for LNG 
carrier ships;
     Three LNG storage tanks, each with a nominal working 
volume of approximately 160,000 cubic meters (1,006,400 barrels 
equivalent), surrounded by an earthen barrier;
     Vaporization facilities including water intake and 
discharge equipment;
     25 miles of 36-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline; and
     Up to seven interconnects with existing intrastate and 
interstate pipelines.
    Vista del Sol proposes to have the project constructed and 
operational in mid-2008.
    The project would nominally deliver about 1 billion cubic feet of 
natural gas per day. In the event that additional markets are 
identified, project facilities could be expanded to increase LNG 
storage and natural gas delivery capacities. ExxonMobil Corporation and 
Qatar Petroleum recently signed an agreement to supply about 2 billion 
cubic feet per day of natural gas as LNG from Qatar to the United 
States for an expected period of 25 years. Some of this LNG could be 
used to supply the Vista del Sol terminal.

Summary of the Proposed Ingleside Energy Center LNG Terminal and 
Pipeline Project

    Ingleside San Patricio proposes to construct and operate an LNG 
terminal and a natural gas pipeline to provide a new supply of 
competitively priced natural gas to meet the increased demand in the 
U.S. The proposed terminal site is bounded by the La Quinta Waterway to 
the south, the Occidental Chemical industrial facility to the west, and 
the U.S. Navy and a private landowner to the east. The proposed 
pipeline would extend from the LNG terminal to an interstate 
interconnection near Sinton, Texas. The general location of the 
facilities is shown in appendix 1.\3\ The Ingleside Energy Center LNG 
Terminal and Pipeline Project would include:
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    \3\ The appendix referenced in this notice is not being printed 
in the Federal Register. Copies of the appendix were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail. Requests for detailed maps 
of the proposed facilities should be made directly to Ingleside San 
Patricio (http://www.inglesideenergycenter.com will be available 
soon for contact information).
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     A berthing structure and unloading facilities for LNG 
carrier ships;
     Two LNG storage tanks, each with a nominal working volume 
of approximately 160,000 cubic meters (1,006,400 barrels equivalent);
     Vaporization and natural gas liquids removal equipment;
     26 miles of 26-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline; and
     Up to 12 interconnects with existing intrastate and 
interstate pipelines.
    The project would have a nominal output of about 1 billion cubic 
feet of natural gas per day and, as proposed, would be integrated with 
the adjacent chemical manufacturing complex in order for the two 
facilities to offset the other's respective heating and cooling needs. 
The use of the chemical manufacturing complex's cooling water as a 
source of vaporization heat is expected largely to eliminate air 
emissions from the terminal and at the same time to conserve 
approximately two million gallons of fresh water presently used in 
cooling water evaporation each day.

The EIS Process

    The FERC will use the EISs to consider the environmental impact 
that could result if it issues Vista del Sol and/or Ingleside San 
Patricio project authorizations under sections 3 and 7 of the Natural 
Gas Act.
    This notice formally announces our preparation of the EISs and 
invites your input into the process referred to as ``scoping.'' We are 
soliciting input from the public and interested agencies to help us 
focus the analysis in each EIS on the potentially significant 
environmental issues related to the proposed actions.
    Our independent analysis of the issues for each project will be 
included in each draft EIS. The draft EISs 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 FERC's official service lists for these proceedings. A 45-day 
comment period will be allotted for review of the draft EISs. We will 
consider all comments on the draft EISs and revise the documents, as 
necessary, before issuing final EISs.
    Although no formal applications have been filed, the FERC staff has 
already initiated its NEPA review under its NEPA Pre-filing Process. 
The purpose of the Pre-filing Process is to encourage the early 
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve 
issues before an application is filed with the FERC.
    With this notice, we are asking 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 EISs. These agencies may choose to participate once they have 
evaluated the proposals relative to their responsibilities. Agencies 
that would like to request cooperating status should follow the 
instructions for filing comments provided under the Public

[[Page 29298]]

Participation section of this Notice. Thus far, the U.S. Coast Guard, 
the Research and Special Programs Administration (Office of Pipeline 
Safety), and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) 
have agreed to be cooperating agencies for these projects.

Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    Each EIS will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed projects. We have already 
identified several issues that we think deserve attention based on a 
preliminary review of the project sites and the facility information 
provided by Vista del Sol and Ingleside San Patricio. This preliminary 
list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis. 
The following issues pertain to both projects:
     Dredged material management.
     Potential impacts on water quality from dredging 
activities.
     Impacts on wetlands and submerged aquatic vegetation.
     Impacts on essential fish habitat and State and/or 
federally-listed threatened and endangered species at the LNG terminal 
and along the pipeline route.
     Consistency with coastal zone management guidelines.
     Visual impacts associated with new LNG storage tanks.
     Environmental justice issues associated with the location 
of the LNG terminal.
     Impact and potential benefits of construction workforce on 
local housing, infrastructure, public services, and economy.
     Impacts of LNG ship traffic on the Port of Corpus Christi 
and the Port Aransas ferry schedule.
     Assessment of potential cultural resources at the LNG 
terminal and along the pipeline route.
     Native American concerns.
     Impacts of construction and operation of the LNG terminal 
and the natural gas pipeline on local air quality.
     Hazards associated with the transport, unloading, storage, 
and vaporization of LNG.
     Security associated with LNG ship traffic and an LNG 
import terminal.
     Alternative sites for the LNG terminal, including offshore 
sites, and pipeline route alternatives.
     Assessment of the effect of the proposed project when 
combined with other past, present, or reasonably foreseeable future 
actions in the project area, including other proposed LNG facilities in 
Corpus Christi Bay and the proposed Port of Corpus Christi La Quinta 
Container Terminal.
    The following issues have been identified for the Vista del Sol LNG 
Terminal Project:
     Potential impacts from a thermal (cold water) discharge.
     Impacts on marine life from the seawater intake.
     Alternative LNG vaporization technologies.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the proposals. Your comments should focus on 
the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives (including 
alternative terminal sites and pipeline routes), and measures to avoid 
or lessen environmental impact. The more specific your comments, the 
more useful they will be. To expedite our receipt and consideration of 
your comments, the Commission strongly encourages electronic submission 
of any comments on this project. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the 
instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under 
the ``e-Filing'' link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you can 
submit comments you will need to create a free account, which can be 
created by clicking on ``Login to File'' and then ``New User Account.'' 
You will be asked to select the type of submission you are making. This 
submission is considered a ``Comment on Filing.''
    If you wish to mail comments, please mail your comments so that 
they will be received in Washington, DC on or before June 18, 2004, and 
carefully follow these instructions:
    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 3;
     Reference Docket No. PF04-3-000 (Vista del Sol) or PF04-9-
000 (Ingleside Energy Center) on the original and both copies.
    The public scoping meeting to be held on June 9, 2004, at the 
Portland Community Center is designed to provide another opportunity to 
offer comments on the proposed projects. Interested groups and 
individuals are encouraged to attend the meeting and to present 
comments on the environmental issues they believe should be addressed 
in each EIS. A transcript of the meeting will be generated so that your 
comments will be accurately recorded.
    We will include all comments that we receive within a reasonable 
time frame in our environmental analysis of these projects.
    Once Vista del Sol and Ingleside San Patricio formally file their 
applications with the Commission, you may want to become an official 
party to the proceedings known as an ``intervenor.'' Intervenors play a 
more formal role in the process and are able to file briefs, appear at 
hearings, and be heard by the courts if they choose to appeal the 
Commission's final ruling. An intervenor formally participates in a 
Commission proceeding by filing a request to intervene. Instructions 
for becoming an intervenor are included in the User's Guide under the 
``e-filing'' link on the Commission's web site. Please note that you 
may not request intervenor status at this time. You must wait until a 
formal application is filed with the Commission.
    Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be 
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they 
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be 
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor 
status to have your environmental comments considered.

Availability of Additional Information

    Additional information about the projects is available from the 
Commission(s Office of External Affairs at 1-866-208 FERC (3372) or on 
the FERC Internet website (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., PF04-3-000 or PF04-9-
000), and follow the instructions. Searches may also be done using the 
phrase (Vista del Sol LNG( or ``Ingleside Energy Center'' in the (Text 
Search( field. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can 
be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at 
FERCOnlineSupport@ ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC 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 FERC 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.
    Finally, Vista del Sol has established an Internet Web site for its 
project at

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http://www.vistadelsollng.com and Ingleside San Patricio will establish 
an Internet Web site for its project at http://www.inglesideenergycenter.com. The Web sites will include a description 
of the project, maps of the proposed site, and links to related 
documents.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E4-1193 Filed 5-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P