[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 186 (Monday, September 27, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57684-57687]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E4-2384]



[[Page 57684]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP04-386-000, CP04-400-000, CP04-401-000, and CP04-402-
000]


Golden Pass LNG Terminal LP; Golden Pass Pipeline LP; Notice of 
Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed 
Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project, Request for Comments on 
Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Site 
Visit

September 20, 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 Terminal LP's 
and Golden Pass Pipeline LP's (collectively referred to as Golden Pass) 
proposed Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project. The proposed 
facilities would consist of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import 
terminal and interconnecting pipelines in southeastern Texas and 
southwest Louisiana. 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.
    On January 26, 2004, when the project was in the preliminary design 
stage and before the formal applications were filed with the FERC, we 
\1\ issued a Notice of Environmental Review and Scoping for the Golden 
Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project and Request for Comments on 
Environmental Issues. This notice was sent to 567 interested parties 
including federal, state, and local officials; agency representatives; 
conservation organizations; Native American tribes; local libraries and 
newspapers; residents within a 0.5 mile of the proposed LNG terminal; 
and property owners along the proposed pipeline routes. It also 
announced that the FERC staff was initiating its National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) review to allow interested stakeholders to be 
involved early in project planning and to identify and resolve issues 
before the certificate application was filed with the FERC. A docket 
number (PF04-1-000) was established to place information filed by 
Golden Pass and related documents issued by the Commission, into the 
public record.
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    \1\ We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Office of Energy Projects.
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    With this second notice, we are announcing a final opportunity to 
submit comments that may be submitted electronically, in written form, 
or verbally as described in the public participation section of this 
notice. We are also asking 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. We encourage 
government representatives to notify their constituents of this planned 
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. The 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers--Galveston District will be a cooperating 
agency on this project.
    This notice is being sent to residents within 0.5 mile of the 
proposed LNG terminal site; landowners along the pipeline routes; 
federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; and 
local libraries and newspapers.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a pipeline company representative about the acquisition of an 
easement to construct, operate, and maintain the pipeline facilities. 
The pipeline company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable 
agreement. However, if the project is approved by the Commission, that 
approval conveys with it the right-of eminent domain. Therefore, if 
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the pipeline 
company could initiate condemnation proceedings in accordance with 
state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' was attached to the 
project notice Golden Pass provided to landowners. This fact sheet 
addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of 
eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. 
It is available for viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov).

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 an 
average of 2 billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd) of natural gas (with a 
peak capacity of 2.7 Bcfd) to the existing intrastate and interstate 
pipeline systems.
    The LNG import 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 Arthur Ship 
Channel). The LNG terminal would be constructed in two phases, each 
lasting approximately 48 months. Phase 2 construction would begin 
approximately 12 months after the start of Phase 1 construction and 
would increase the average capacity from 1.0 to 2.0 Bcfd. The import 
terminal would be designed to accept LNG cargoes, temporarily store and 
vaporize LNG, and would contain the following facilities:
     A protected LNG unloading slip, LNG ship and support 
vessel maneuvering area (outside of the existing Port Arthur Ship 
Channel) that would be capable of receiving up to 200 LNG ships per 
year;
     Ship unloading facilities consisting of two berths, each 
capable of accommodating LNG ships ranging from 125,000 cubic meters 
(m3) to 250,000 m3, and consisting of four 16-
inch unloading arms and one 16-inch vapor return arm, mooring and 
breasting dolphins, gangway tower, firewater monitors, anemometer, 
service utilities, and associated valves and piping (the first berth 
would be constructed during Phase 1 and the second during Phase 2);
     A total of five full-containment LNG storage tanks each 
with a working capacity of 155,000 m3 (three tanks would be 
constructed during Phase 1 and two during Phase 2);
     A boil-off gas (BOG) recovery system consisting of three 
BOG compressors, one return gas blower, and a direct-contact 
recondenser;
     A total of twenty LNG booster pumps to transfer LNG from 
the storage tanks to the vaporizers (ten booster pumps would be 
installed during Phase 1 and ten during Phase 2);
     A total of ten shell-and-tube heat transfer fluid (HTF) 
LNG heat exchangers to vaporize the LNG (five exchangers would be 
installed during Phase 1 and five during Phase 2);
     A total of eight HTF gas-fired heaters (four heaters would 
be installed during Phase 1 and four during Phase 2); and
     Associated support facilities, including administrative 
buildings, storage and maintenance areas, electric power systems, 
access roads, and other facilities related to the LNG import terminal.
    As part of its preliminary design, Golden Pass originally proposed 
to use seawater for the vaporization process. In response to comments 
and concerns about the use of seawater and potential environmental 
impact on aquatic resources, Golden Pass has removed the of use 
seawater for vaporization and

[[Page 57685]]

instead proposes to use shell and tube vaporization technology.
    Golden Pass also proposes to construct a pipeline system consisting 
of three pipelines and associated pipeline support facilities, 
including pig launchers and receivers, and meter stations. The pipeline 
system would be installed in overlapping phases across three counties 
in Texas and one parish in Louisiana. It would consist of the:
     Mainline--A 77.8-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter pipeline 
extending from the LNG import terminal in Jefferson County through 
Orange, and Newton Counties, Texas (66.5 miles) and Calcacieu Parish, 
Louisiana (11.3 miles) to an interconnection with an existing 
Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corporation (Transco) interstate pipeline 
near Starks, Louisiana (to be installed over an estimated 14-month 
period);
     Loop--A 42.8-mile-long, 36-inch-diameter pipeline that 
would be installed adjacent to (e.g., loop\2\) the Mainline and would 
extend from the LNG import terminal in Jefferson County to an 
interconnection with an existing Texoma Pipeline in Orange County, 
Texas (to be installed over an estimated 9-month period beginning with 
and concurrently with the Mainline);
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    \2\ A loop is a segment of pipeline that is usually installed 
adjacent to an existing pipeline and connected to it at both ends).
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     Beaumont Lateral--A 1.8-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter 
pipeline extending from the Mainline in Jefferson County, Texas to 
industrial customers in Beaumont-Port Arthur, including the ExxonMobil 
Beaumont refinery (to be installed over an estimated one-month period 
after installation of the Loop is complete);
     Meter stations to interconnect with up to 11 existing 
intrastate and interstate pipelines, including interconnections with 
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, Centana, Kinder Morgan--Texas, 
Kinder Morgan--Tejas, Beaumont-Port Arthur (including ExxonMobil's 
Beaumont refinery), American Electric Power Texoma Pipeline, Florida 
Gas Transmission, Channel (HPL AS), Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, 
Texas Eastern Transmission LP, and Transco; and
     Associated pipeline facilities, including pig launchers 
and receivers, and block valves.
    A map depicting the proposed terminal site plot plan is provided in 
appendix 1. The locations of the meter stations and routes for the 
Mainline, Loop, and Beaumont Lateral are provided on the map in 
appendix 2.3 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 at (202) 
502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary refer to the 
end 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, 12450 
Greenspoint Drive, Houston, Texas 77060 (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 Golden Pass LNG import terminal would be constructed and 
operated within a 477-acre property that would be owned by Golden Pass. 
Construction would affect a total of 245 acres of land within the 477-
acre property. The LNG terminal and associated facilities would be 
operated within a 205-acre site.
    The Golden Pass pipelines would be installed within a 100-foot-wide 
construction right-of-way. The Loop would be installed adjacent to the 
Mainline with a nominal 25-foot separation, thus increasing the 
construction right-of-way to 125 feet for approximately 42.8 miles. The 
Beaumont Lateral would be installed within a 90-foot-wide construction 
right-of-way. Additional work space would be used for topsoil 
segregation and for certain waterbody, wetland, road, and railroad 
crossings. The operational right-of-way would be 50 feet for one 
pipeline and 75 feet for two pipelines (e.g., for the Mainline and 
Loop).
    Golden Pass estimates that pipeline construction would affect a 
total of 1,603.5 acres of land and that operation would affect a total 
of 708 acres of land. Construction and operation of the meter stations 
would affect an additional 7.4 acres of land. In addition, pipeline 
construction would involve use of approximately 18.6 miles of access 
roads and 149.3 acres of contractor yards.

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 in the 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 already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and 
the environmental information provided by the Golden Pass. This 
preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your comments and 
our analysis.

     Geology and Soils:
     Assessment of potential site subsidence.
     Assessment of pipeline construction on hydric and prime 
farmland soils.
     Water Resources:
     Impact of project water use on the local water supply 
system.
     Assessment of dredge and fill of coastal wetlands 
associated with construction of the proposed LNG terminal, storage, and 
vaporization sites, and the disposal of dredged material.

[[Page 57686]]

     Assessment of hydrostatic test water source and discharge 
to receiving water bodies.
     Impact on water quality and aquatic species crossed by 
pipeline facilities.
     Pipeline construction on freshwater wetlands.
     Fish, Wildlife, and Vegetation:
     Effect on essential fish habitat, commercial and 
recreational fisheries, and benthic communities.
     Effect on designated Wildlife Management Areas (WMA) and 
parks (J.D. Murphree WMA, Sea Rim State Park, Sabine Island WMA) and 
migratory bird species.
     Endangered and Threatened Species:
     Potential effect on federally-listed species.
     Cultural Resources:
     Assessment of cultural resources studies.
     Native American and tribal concerns.
     Land Use, Recreation and Special Interest Areas, and 
Visual Resources:
     Permanent land use alteration associated with site 
development.
     Evaluation of project's consistency with coastal zone 
management area guidelines.
     Visual impacts associated with new LNG storage tanks.
     Socioeconomics:
     Impact of traffic from construction workers and material 
delivery on State Highway 87.
     Effects of 200 LNG ships per year on existing ship traffic 
in the Sabine Neches Waterway.
     Effects of construction workforce demands on public 
services and housing.
     Effects on property values on Pleasure Island.
     Effects of construction payroll, sales tax, and property 
taxes on local economy.
     Air Quality and Noise:
     Effects on local air quality and noise environment from 
construction and operation of the proposed facilities.
     Effects of emissions from 200 additional LNG ships on air 
quality.
     Reliability and Safety:
     Assessment of hazards associated with the transport, 
unloading, storage, and vaporization of LNG.
     Assessment of potential collisions of LNG ships with other 
ship traffic in the area.
     Assessment of security associated with LNG ship traffic 
and an LNG import terminal.
     Assessment of hazards associated with natural gas 
pipelines.
     Alternatives:
     Assessment of the use of existing LNG import terminals and 
natural gas pipeline systems to reduce or avoid environmental impacts.
     Evaluation of alternative sites for the LNG import and 
storage facilities, including offshore sites.
     Evaluation of pipeline route alternatives.
     Identification of measures to lessen or avoid impacts on 
the various resource and special interest areas.
     Cumulative Impacts:
     Assessment of the effect of the proposed project when 
combined with other past, present or reasonably foreseeable future 
actions in the Sabine Pass area, including proposals by Sempra Energy 
LNG (Port Arthur LNG Project) and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Sabine Pass 
LNG and Pipeline Project).

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. 
Your comments 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. 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 Title 18 Code of Federal Regulations 
385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Internet 
Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under the ``eFiling'' link and the link 
to the User's Guide. Before you can submit comments you will need to 
create a free account by clicking on ``Sign-up'' under ``New User.'' 
You will be asked to select the type of submission you are making. This 
type of submission is considered a ``Comment on Filing.'' Your comments 
must be submitted electronically by October 20, 2004.
    If you wish to mail comments, please mail your comments so that 
they will be received in Washington, DC on or before October 20, 2004, 
and 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, DG2E; and
     Reference Docket Nos. CP04-386-000, CP04-400-000 et al. on 
the original and both copies.
    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 3.
    The public scoping meetings are designed to provide another 
opportunity to offer comments on the proposed project. Interested 
groups and individuals are encouraged to attend the meetings and to 
present comments on the environmental issues they believe should be 
addressed in the EIS. A transcript of the meetings will be generated so 
that your comments will be accurately recorded. All meetings will begin 
at 7 p.m. (c.s.t.), and are scheduled as follows:

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                   Date                               Location
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Tuesday, October 5, 2004..................  Sabine Pass School,
                                             Auditorium, 5641 South
                                             Gulfway Drive, Sabine Pass,
                                             Texas 409-971-2321.
Wednesday, October 6, 2004................  VFW Hall, 4402 Highway 12,
                                             Starks, Louisiana 337-743-
                                             6409.
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    The environmental staff of the FERC will perform a site visit of 
the proposed facility locations. Anyone interested in participating in 
the field trip may attend, but they must provide their own 
transportation. The meeting locations prior to the site visit are as 
follows:

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          Time/Date             Meeting location         Facilities
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Wednesday, October 6, 2004    Walter Umphrey State  LNG terminal,
 at 8 a.m.                     Park State Highway    pipeline mainline
                               82 Pleasure Island,   and loop, and
                               TX.                   Beaumont Lateral.
Thursday, October 7, 2004 at  VFW Hall 4402         Pipeline mainline.
 8 a.m.                        Highway 12, Starks,
                               LA.
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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. Click on eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the 
docket number excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number 
field. Be sure you have selected an appropriate data range. For 
assistance with eLibrary, the eLibrary 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 which 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. Go to the eSubscription link on the FERC Internet Web 
site.

Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
 [FR Doc. E4-2384 Filed 9-24-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P