[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 110 (Thursday, June 9, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33744-33745]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-2957]


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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 L.P., Golden Pass Pipeline L.P.; Notice 
of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Proposed Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project

June 3, 2005.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) 
on the liquefied natural gas (LNG) import terminal and natural gas 
pipeline facilities in Jefferson, Orange, and Newton Counties, Texas, 
and Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, proposed by Golden Pass LNG Terminal 
L.P. and Golden Pass Pipeline L.P. (collectively referred to as Golden 
Pass) in the above-referenced dockets.
    The FEIS was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The staff concludes that approval of 
the proposed project with appropriate mitigating measures as 
recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact. The FEIS 
also evaluates alternatives to the proposal, including system 
alternatives, alternative sites for the LNG import terminal, and 
pipeline alternatives.
    Golden Pass's proposed facilities would transport an average of 2.0 
billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd) of imported natural gas to the U.S. 
market. In order to provide LNG import, storage, and pipeline 
transportation services, Golden Pass requests Commission authorization 
to construct, install, and operate an LNG terminal and natural gas 
pipeline facilities.
    The FEIS addresses the potential environmental effects of the 
construction and operation of the following LNG terminal and natural 
gas pipeline facilities:
     A new protected marine terminal basin connected to the 
Port Arthur Channel that would include a ship maneuvering area, two 
protected berths, and unloading facilities capable of accommodating up 
to 200 LNG ships per year;
     A total of five all-metal, double-walled, full containment 
LNG storage tanks, each with a nominal working volume of approximately 
155,000 cubic meters (975,000 barrels) and each with secondary 
containment dikes to contain 110 percent of the gross tank volume;
     A total of ten shell-and-tube vaporizers, using a closed 
loop circulating solution and selective catalytic reduction to reduce 
regulated pollutants;
     Associated LNG storage and vaporization facilities, 
including administrative, storage, and maintenance buildings, access 
roads, and a waterline;
     A pipeline system comprised of 77.8 miles of 36-inch-
diameter mainline, 42.8 miles of 36-inch-diameter loop, and 1.8 miles 
of 24-inch-diameter lateral; and
     Associated ancillary pipeline facilities, including 
interconnections with up to 10 existing interstate and intrastate 
pipeline systems.
    The FEIS has been placed in the public files of the FERC and is 
available for distribution and public inspection at: Federal Energy 
Regulatory Commission, Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., 
Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426. (202) 502-8371.
    A limited number of copies are available from the Public Reference 
Room identified above. In addition, copies of the FEIS have been mailed 
to Federal, State, and local agencies; public interest groups; 
individuals and affected landowners who requested a copy of the FEIS; 
libraries; newspapers; and parties to this proceeding.
    In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) 
regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act, no 
agency decision on a proposed action may be made until 30 days after 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency publishes a notice of 
availability of an FEIS. However, the CEQ regulations provide an 
exception to this rule when an agency decision is subject to a formal 
internal appeal process which allows other agencies or the public to 
make their views known. In such cases, the agency decision may be made 
at the same time the notice of the FEIS is published, allowing both 
periods to run concurrently. The Commission decision for this proposed 
action is subject to a 30-day rehearing period.
    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the 
FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. 
Click on the 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 date range. For 
assistance with eLibrary, the eLibrary helpline can be reached toll 
free at 1-866-208-3676, for TTY at (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 rulemakings.
    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

[[Page 33745]]

the documents. Go to the eSubscription link on the FERC Internet Web 
site.

Linda Mitry,
Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. E5-2957 Filed 6-8-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P