[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 240 (Friday, December 12, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75702-75705]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29474]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP09-19-000]


Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage); Notice 
of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed 
Bobcat Gas Storage Project Expansion and Request for Comments on 
Environmental Issues

December 8, 2008.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the proposed Bobcat Gas Storage 
Project Expansion (Bobcat Expansion) involving construction and 
operation of additional natural gas storage caverns and pipeline 
facilities by Port Barre Investments, L.L.C. (d/b/a Bobcat Gas Storage 
(Bobcat)) in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana.\1\ The EA will be used by 
the

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Commission in its decision-making process to determine whether or not 
to authorize the project under section 7 of the Natural Gas Act.
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    \1\ The Bobcat Gas Storage Project was authorized by the 
Commission on July 20, 2006 in Docket No. CP06-66-000, and amended 
on April 19, 2007 and March 4, 2008 in Docket Nos. CP06-66-001 and 
CP06-66-002, respectively. Construction of the Bobcat Gas Storage 
Project began in December 2006 and is ongoing.
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    This notice explains the scoping process we \2\ will use to gather 
environmental input from the public and interested agencies, and 
summarizes the project review process for the FERC. Your input will 
help determine which issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Details on 
how to submit comments during the scoping period are provided in the 
Public Participation section of this notice. Please note that the 
scoping period will close on January 7, 2009.
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    \2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the FERC's Office of Energy Projects.
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    This notice is being sent to potentially 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. State and local 
government representatives are asked to notify their constituents of 
this planned project and encourage them to comment on their areas of 
concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, you may be contacted 
by a Bobcat representative about survey permission and/or the 
acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the 
proposed facilities. The 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 
natural gas 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?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Web site (http://www.ferc.gov). 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.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    The Bobcat Gas Storage Site currently has an overall natural gas 
storage capacity of 20.4 billion cubic feet (Bcf), with 15.6 Bcf of 
working gas capacity in two solution-mined salt storage caverns; Bobcat 
Cavern No. 1 which was placed into service November 1, 2008, and Bobcat 
Cavern No. 2 which is currently under construction. Bobcat has proposed 
to expand its storage and deliverability capabilities to satisfy its 
customers growing demand for natural gas storage. The proposed Bobcat 
Expansion would involve construction of three additional storage 
caverns at the existing Bobcat Gas Storage Site to increase the overall 
storage capacity by about 31.5 Bcf (24 Bcf working gas, 7.5 Bcf cushion 
gas).\3\ Bobcat would also expand its compressor station by installing 
additional gas-fired engine compressors, resulting in a station total 
of 64,575 horsepower (hp). In addition, Bobcat would construct new 
pipeline facilities and modify four meter stations to accommodate the 
increased deliverability.
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    \3\ ``Cushion gas'' (also referred to as base gas) is the volume 
of gas that is intended as permanent inventory in a storage 
reservoir to maintain adequate pressure and deliverability rates. 
``Working gas'' is the total gas in storage minus the base gas. 
Working gas is the volume of gas available to the market place at a 
particular time.
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    Specifically, the Expansion Project would include construction and 
operation of:
     Three new salt cavern storage wells (Bobcat Nos. 3, 4, and 
5) and ancillary facilities to connect the caverns to Bobcat's existing 
facilities;
     26,695 hp of additional compression and two dehydration 
units totaling 600 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd) at the existing 
Bobcat Compressor Station;
     A 9.96-mile-long, 20-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline 
loop \4\ constructed in the existing North Pipeline Corridor;
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    \4\ A pipeline loop is constructed parallel to an existing 
pipeline to increase capacity.
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     A 2.68-mile-long, 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline 
loop constructed in the existing West Pipeline Corridor;
     Modification of the existing metering facilities at 
pipeline interconnects with Gulf South Pipeline, Texas Eastern 
Transmission, L.P., ANR Pipeline, and Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line 
Company; and
     Expansion of the existing West Pipeline Tie-Over Site to 
include a new pig \5\ launcher and pipeline tie-in.
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    \5\ A pig is a device used to clean or inspect the internal 
surface of a pipeline. They are inserted into the pipeline by means 
of a device called a pig launcher and pushed through the pipeline by 
pressure of the flowing fluid, usually gas.
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    The general location of the Expansion Project facilities is shown 
in Appendix 1.\6\
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    \6\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being 
printed in the Federal Register. Copies of all appendices are 
available on the Commission's Web site at the ``eLibrary'' link or 
from the Commission's Public Reference Room, 888 First Street, NE., 
Washington, DC 20426, or call (202) 502-8371. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary refer to the last page of this notice. Copies 
of the appendices were sent to all those receiving this notice in 
the mail.
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    If approved, Bobcat proposes to construct the Bobcat Expansion 
facilities during the first quarter of 2009, and place the new 
facilities into service by the third quarter of 2012.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the Bobcat Expansion would affect a total of 
approximately 119.6 acres of land. Following construction, a total of 
about 114.0 acres of land would be allowed to revert to previous 
conditions. The remaining 5.6 acres of land would be retained for 
operation of aboveground facilities and access roads. Permanent rights-
of-way in agricultural lands would be restored to agricultural uses 
following construction.
    With the exception of 0.04 acre required for expanding the West 
Pipeline Tie-Over Site, all construction activity would be located on 
property owned or leased by Bobcat, or within previously disturbed 
construction rights-of-way and workspaces. The proposed storage caverns 
and compressor station expansion would be located within the existing 
83-acre Gas Storage Site. The pipeline loops would be located within 
existing Bobcat rights-of-way. Bobcat has not proposed to acquire 
additional permanent rights-of-way to operate the proposed pipelines. 
Modifications to the meter stations would occur entirely within the 
existing fencelines for each station. The West Pipeline Tie-Over Site 
would be expanded (40 feet by 40 feet), permanently impacting 0.04 acre 
of agricultural land.
    Bobcat would use previously authorized public and private roads to 
access the construction rights-of-way and aboveground facilities. 
Bobcat would construct two new access roads and relocate an existing 
permanent access road within the previously authorized 83-acre Gas 
Storage Site to provide permanent access to the proposed Bobcat cavern 
wells Nos. 4 and 5.

The EA Process

    We are preparing an EA to comply with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) which requires the Commission to take into 
account the environmental impact that could result if it authorizes 
Bobcat's proposal. NEPA also requires us to discover and address the 
public's concerns about proposals that require federal authorizations. 
This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the 
scoping process is to

[[Page 75704]]

focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues.
    By this notice, we are requesting public comments on the scope of 
the issues to be addressed in the EA. All comments received will be 
considered during preparation of the EA. We are also 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 EA. Agencies that would like to request 
cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing comments 
provided below.
    The EA will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the 
construction and operation of the proposed project, under the general 
headings of geology and soils; land use; water resources, fisheries, 
and wetlands; cultural resources; vegetation and wildlife; threatened 
and endangered species; air quality and noise; safety and reliability; 
and cumulative impacts. The EA will also evaluate reasonable 
alternatives to the proposed project, and make recommendations on how 
to lessen or avoid impacts on affected resources.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be in the EA. Depending 
on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA may be 
published and mailed to federal, state, and local agencies; newspapers; 
libraries; interested individuals; and the Commission's official 
service list for this proceeding. An additional comment period will be 
allotted for review if the EA is published. We will consider all 
comments on the EA 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 Bobcat. This preliminary list 
of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
     Construction impacts to wetlands located in the proposed 
project area.
     Construction and operational noise near residences and 
structures.
     Additional water pumping requirements for cavern leaching.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the Bobcat Expansion Project. Your comments 
should focus on the potential environmental effects, reasonable 
alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. 
The more specific your comments, the more useful they will be. To 
ensure that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please send 
in your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or 
before January 7, 2009.
    For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to 
submit your written comments to the Commission. The three methods are:
    (1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick 
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site 
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick 
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit text-only 
comments on a project;
    (2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site at  
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling 
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if 
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard 
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users 
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or 
``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 may file your comments via mail to the Commission by 
sending an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose, 
Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First St., NE., 
Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
    Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 3, 
PJ-11.3.
    In all instances please reference the project docket number (CP09-
19-000) with your submission. The Commission strongly encourages 
electronic filing of comments and has dedicated eFiling expert staff 
available to assist you at 202-502-8258 or [email protected].

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an official party to the proceeding known as an 
``intervenor''. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process. 
Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of 
case-related Commission documents and filings by other intervenors. 
Likewise, each intervenor must send one electronic copy (using the 
Commission's eFiling system) or 14 paper copies of its filings to the 
Secretary of the Commission and must send a copy of its filings to all 
other parties on the Commission's service list for this proceeding. If 
you want to become an intervenor you must file a motion to intervene 
according to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (18 CFR 385.214). Interventions may also be filed 
electronically via the Commission's Internet Web site at http://www.ferc.gov. Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the 
Commission's decision.
    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.

Environmental Mailing List

    An effort is being made to send this notice to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the proposed project. This includes all landowners who are 
potential right-of-way grantors, whose property may be used temporarily 
for project purposes, or who own homes within distances defined in the 
Commission's regulations of certain aboveground facilities. By this 
notice we are also asking governmental agencies, especially those in 
Appendix 2, to express their interest in becoming cooperating agencies 
for the preparation of the EA.
    We may mail the EA for comment. If you are interested in receiving 
the EA for review and/or comment, please return the Mail List Retention 
Form (Appendix 3). In addition, all individuals who provide written 
comments to the FERC will remain on our environmental mailing list for 
this project. If you do not return the Mail List Retention Form or 
provide written comments, you will be taken off the mailing list.

Additional Information

    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 (e.g., CP09-19). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date 
range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at

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[email protected] or toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link 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 
the documents. Go to http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Fact sheets prepared by the FERC are also available for viewing on 
the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov), using the ``For 
Citizens'' link. The fact sheet, ``Guide to Electronic Information at 
FERC,'' provides instructions on how to stay informed and participate 
in the Commission's proceedings.
    Finally, Bobcat will be updating its Web site at http://www.BobcatStorage.com/ to share news and updates as the environmental 
review of its project proceeds.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E8-29474 Filed 12-11-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P