[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 4, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 23708-23711]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09342]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF21-1-000]


Venture Global CP2 LNG, LLC; Venture Global CP Express, LLC; 
Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues 
for the Planned CP2 LNG and CP Express Project and Notice of Public 
Scoping Sessions

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss 
the environmental impacts of the CP2 LNG and CP Express Project 
involving construction and operation of facilities by Venture Global 
CP2 LNG, LLC (CP2 LNG) and Venture Global CP Express, LLC (CP Express) 
in Jasper and Newton Counties, Texas and Calcasieu and Cameron 
Parishes, Louisiana. The Commission will use this environmental 
document in its decision-making process to determine whether the 
project is in the public interest.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the 
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested 
agencies regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account 
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental 
impacts that could result

[[Page 23709]]

from its action whenever it considers the issuance of an Authorization. 
This gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main 
goal of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the 
environmental document on the important environmental issues. 
Additional information about the Commission's NEPA process is described 
below in the NEPA Process and Environmental Document section of this 
notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the 
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. To ensure 
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your 
comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or 
before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 27, 2021. Comments may be 
submitted in written or oral form. Further details on how to submit 
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this 
notice.
    Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects, 
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental 
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what 
issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission 
staff will consider all written and oral comments during the 
preparation of the environmental document.
    If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before 
the opening of this docket on February 17, 2021, you will need to file 
those comments in Docket No. PF21-1-000 to ensure they are considered.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for this project. State and local government 
representatives should 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, a pipeline company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You 
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission 
approves the project, section 7(h) of the Natural Gas Act conveys the 
right of eminent domain to the company for the natural gas pipeline 
facilities. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an easement 
agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings 
in court. In such instances, compensation would be determined by a 
judge in accordance with state law. The Commission does not 
subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that eminent 
domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent 
domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' addresses typically 
asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to 
participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet along with 
other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the links to Natural Gas Questions or 
Landowner Topics.

Public Participation

    There are four methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your 
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic 
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for 
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov) 
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments 
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your 
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking 
on ``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'';
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF21-1-
000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must 
be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. 
Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly 
D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins 
Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852; or
    (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you 
to attend one of the virtual public scoping sessions its staff will 
conduct by telephone, scheduled as follows:

Date and Time

    Tuesday May 11, 2021, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST. Call in number: 
888-324-3812. Participant passcode: 9560652.
    Wednesday May 12, 2021, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST. Call in number: 
888-324-3812. Participant passcode: 9560652.
    Thursday May 13, 2021, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST. Call in number: 
888-324-3812. Participant passcode: 9560652.
    The primary goal of these scoping sessions is to have you identify 
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be 
considered in the environmental document. Individual oral comments will 
be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter present on the 
line. This format is designed to receive the maximum amount of oral 
comments, in a convenient way during the timeframe allotted, and is in 
response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
    Each scoping session is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 
Central Time. You may call at any time after 5:00 p.m. at which time 
you will be placed on mute and hold. Calls will be answered in the 
order they are received. Once answered, you will have the opportunity 
to provide your comment directly to a court reporter with FERC staff or 
representative present on the line. A time limit of five minutes will 
be implemented for each commentor.
    Transcripts of all comments received during the scoping sessions 
will be publicly available on FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page 
of this notice for instructions on using eLibrary).
    It is important to note that the Commission provides equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided orally at a virtual scoping session.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription, which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances 
and submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. 
These instant email notifications are the fastest way to receive 
notification and provide a link to the document files which can reduce 
the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.

[[Page 23710]]

Summary of the Planned Project

    CP2 LNG plans to construct and operate a new 20 million tonnes per 
annum liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Cameron Parish, 
Louisiana. The LNG terminal site would be on the mainland, while the 
marine facilities would be constructed on Monkey Island between 
Calcasieu Pass and the Calcasieu Ship Channel. CP Express would also 
construct and operate approximately 85 miles of new 48-inch-diameter 
natural gas pipeline originating in Jasper County, Texas and 
terminating at the CP2 LNG terminal. In addition, a 6-mile-long, 24-
inch-diameter lateral pipeline and 127,000 horsepower (hp) Vinton 
Compressor Station would be constructed in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. 
The pipeline facilities would be capable of transporting 4 billion 
cubic feet of natural gas per day to the LNG terminal. CP2 LNG and CP 
Express would construct the project in two phases; Phase 1 would 
consist of construction of the pipelines, 23,500 hp compression at the 
Vinton Compressor Station, and about half of the CP2 LNG terminal 
facilities. Phase 2 would consist of the remaining 103,500 hp 
compression at the compressor station and the remaining CP2 LNG 
facilities. According to CP2 LNG and CP Express, its project would 
transport domestically produced natural gas for liquefaction, storage, 
and export to overseas markets.
    The CP2 LNG and CP Express Project would consist of the following 
facilities:
     A liquefaction plant consisting of 18 liquefaction blocks 
and support facilities;
     six pretreatment systems;
     four 200,000 cubic meter LNG storage tanks;
     a combined-cycle natural gas turbine power plant capable 
of generating 1,440 megawatts;
     two LNG loading docks;
     two marine berths capable of receiving ocean-going LNG 
carriers;
     a 1.2-mile-long aboveground trestle that would support two 
36-inch-diameter cryogenic LNG transfer lines connecting the marine 
facilities on Monkey Island to the mainland LNG terminal site;
     one 85-mile-long, 48-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline;
     one 6-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter natural gas lateral 
pipeline;
     one new 127,000 hp compressor station near Vinton, 
Louisiana;
     six meter stations at interconnects with existing 
pipelines;
     a gas gate station within the LNG terminal site; and
     other appurtenant facilities.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
1.\1\
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    \1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all 
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at 
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary''. For instructions on 
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At 
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's 
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National 
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), 
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact 
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 
or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 547 
acres of land for the LNG terminal facilities and 1,620 acres for the 
pipeline facilities. Following construction, CP2 LNG and CP Express 
would maintain about 535 acres for permanent operation of the LNG 
terminal and 555 acres for operation of the pipeline facilities; the 
remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. About 44 
percent of the planned pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, 
utility, or road rights-of-way.

NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

    Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss 
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation 
of the planned project under the relevant general resource areas:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     socioeconomics;
     land use;
     air quality and noise; and
     reliability and safety.
    Commission staff have identified several issues that deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and 
the environmental information provided by CP2 LNG and CP Express. This 
preliminary list of issues may change based on your comments and our 
analysis.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the 
planned project or portions of the project and make recommendations on 
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your 
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues 
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially 
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental 
document.
    Although no formal application has been filed, Commission staff 
have already initiated a NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing 
process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early 
involvement of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve 
issues before the Commission receives an application. As part of the 
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state 
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the 
preparation of the environmental document.
    If a formal application is filed, Commission staff will then 
determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present 
Commission staff's independent analysis of the environmental issues. If 
Commission staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may 
be issued for an allotted public comment period. The Commission would 
consider timely comments on the EA before making its determination on 
the proposed project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of 
Intent to Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued once an 
application is filed, which will open an additional public comment 
period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS that will be issued for 
public comment. Commission staff will consider all timely comments 
received during the comment period on the draft EIS, and revise the 
document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and 
final EIS will be available in electronic format in the public record 
through eLibrary \2\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental 
documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive 
instant email notification when the environmental document is issued.
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    \2\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues related to this project to formally cooperate in 
the preparation of the environmental document.\3\ Agencies that would 
like to request cooperating agency status should follow the 
instructions for filing

[[Page 23711]]

comments provided under the Public Participation section of this 
notice. Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Ocean 
Atmospheric Administration have expressed their intention to 
participate as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the 
environmental document to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to 
this project. The U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Department of 
Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration 
would also participate as cooperating agencies.
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    \3\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.8.
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Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic 
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Offices, 
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, 
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential 
effects on historic properties.\4\ The environmental document for this 
project will document our findings on the impacts on historic 
properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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    \4\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those 
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic 
Places.
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Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property 
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within 
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits 
comments on the project and includes a mailing address with their 
comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list 
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to 
this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, 
and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by 
the planned project.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would 
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of 
the following steps:
    (1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your 
request. You must include the docket number PF21-1-000 in your request. 
If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure to 
include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to 
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and 
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to 
accept comments.

OR

    (2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once CP2 LNG and CP Express file their applications with the 
Commission, you may want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an 
official party to the Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have 
the right to seek rehearing of the Commission's decision and be heard 
by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. 
An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a 
request to intervene pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of 
Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more 
fully described at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.asp. 
Please note that the Commission will not accept requests for intervenor 
status at this time. You must wait until the Commission receives a 
formal application for the project, after which the Commission will 
issue a public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.

Additional Information

    Additional information about the project is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number 
in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an 
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online 
Support at [email protected] or toll free at (866) 208-3676, 
or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides 
access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, 
such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's 
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with 
other related information.

    Dated: April 27, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-09342 Filed 5-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P