[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54182-54185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21268]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP19-502-000; CP19-502-001]


Commonwealth LNG, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Commonwealth LNG 
Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Revised 
Schedule for Environmental Review

    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 the Commonwealth LNG Project 
(Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by 
Commonwealth LNG, LLC (Commonwealth LNG) in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. 
The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making process to 
determine whether the Project is in the public convenience and 
necessity. The schedule for preparation of the EIS is discussed in the 
Schedule for Environmental Review section of this notice.
    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 
whenever it considers the issuance of an authorization. This gathering 
of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' By notice issued on 
February 22, 2018, in Docket No. PF17-8, the Commission opened a 
scoping period during the pre-filing review process for the Project; 
and staff intends to prepare an EIS that will address the concerns 
raised during that previous scoping period as well as comments received 
in response to this notice based on Commonwealth LNG's Project 
application filing, as supplemented, in Docket No. CP19-502. Therefore, 
the Commission requests comments on potential alternatives and impacts, 
and any relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind 
concerning impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. 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 October 25, 2021. 
Further details on how to submit comments are provided in the Public 
Participation section of this notice.
    As mentioned above, the Commission previously opened a scoping 
period which expired on March 26, 2018. All substantive written and 
oral comments provided during the previous scoping period will be 
addressed in the EIS. Therefore, if you submitted comments on this 
Project to the Commission during the previous scoping period, you do 
not need to file those comments again.
    Commonwealth LNG provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by 
the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What 
Do I Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, 
including 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 Natural Gas 
Questions or Landowner Topics link.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the 
Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and 
has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or 
[email protected]. Please carefully follow these instructions 
so that your comments are properly recorded.
    (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 also 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''; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the Commission. Be sure to reference the Project docket numbers (CP19-
502-000; CP19-502-001) 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, MD 20852.
    Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called 
eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings 
made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the 
documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register 
for eSubscription.

Summary of the Proposed Project

    Commonwealth LNG proposes to construct and operate a new liquefied 
natural gas (LNG) export terminal and accompanying natural gas pipeline 
on the west side of the Calcasieu Ship Channel at its entrance to the 
Gulf of Mexico. The LNG export terminal would consist of six natural 
gas liquefaction trains (with nominal liquefaction and production 
capacities of 1.4 million metric tonnes per annum each), six LNG 
storage tanks (with storage capacities of 50,000 cubic meters each), 
and one marine berth capable of accommodating LNG carriers with 
capacities up to 216,000 cubic meters. Commonwealth LNG would construct 
a

[[Page 54183]]

42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline from the LNG export terminal, 
extending 3.0 miles north to interconnect with existing natural gas 
pipelines within Cameron Parish. The proposed Project would require 
about 182 acres to construct and would occupy about 107 acres during 
operation.
    Commonwealth states that the purpose of the proposed Project is to 
liquefy and export to foreign markets, domestically produced natural 
gas sourced from the existing interstate and intrastate pipeline 
systems of Kinetica Partners, LLC and EnLink Bridgeline Holdings LP, 
respectively, in southwest Louisiana.
    The general location of the Project 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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    Based on the previous pre-filing review and a review of 
Commonwealth LNG's filed proposal, Commission staff have identified a 
few expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS. These include 
wetland impacts, associated threatened and endangered species impacts, 
and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

The NEPA Process and the EIS

    The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could 
occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed 
Project under the relevant general resource areas:
     Geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     socioeconomics and environmental justice;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts.
    Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help 
Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a 
significant effect on the human environment.
    The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the 
issues. Staff will prepare a draft EIS which 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 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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Alternatives Under Consideration

    The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically 
and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the 
proposed action. Alternatives currently under consideration include:
     The no-action alternative, meaning the Project is not 
implemented;
     use of other existing and proposed LNG terminals to 
provide the liquefaction capabilities proposed by Commonwealth LNG; and
     alternative locations to construct the Project.
    With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments 
regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action 
or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on 
reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites and 
pipeline routes) that meet the Project purpose, are technically and 
economically feasible, and avoid or lessen environmental impact.

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 initiated section 106 consultation for 
the Project in the notice issued on February 22, 2018, with the 
applicable State Historic Preservation Officer, and other government 
agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their 
views and concerns regarding the Project's potential effects on 
historic properties.\3\ This current notice is a continuation of 
section 106 consultation for the Project. The Project EIS will document 
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status 
of consultations under section 106.
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    \3\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 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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Schedule for Environmental Review

    On September 3, 2019, the Commission issued its Notice of 
Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted 
other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to 
complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the 
request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of 
issuance of the Commission staff's final EIS for the Project. On 
October 15, 2019, the Commission issued a notice of schedule for 
environmental review of the Project, which identified October 2, 2020 
as the final EIS issuance date. However, the Commission suspended the 
environmental review schedule for the Project on March 16, 2020, 
pending adequate responses from Commonwealth LNG to Commission staff 
data requests and an official interpretation from the U.S. Department 
of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety 
Administration (PHMSA) pertaining to Commonwealth LNG's proposed LNG 
storage tank design. On June 8, 2021, Commonwealth LNG filed a limited 
amendment to its Natural Gas Act Section 3 Application to modify the 
proposed LNG storage tank designs and capacities so as not to require 
an interpretation from PHMSA. Commonwealth LNG has filed the majority 
of responses to the Commission staff's data requests to-date and have 
stated that all outstanding responses will be filed in 2021. As a 
result, Commission staff have revised the schedule for issuance of the 
final EIS, based on an issuance of the draft EIS in March 2022.

Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS: September 9, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline: December 8, 2022

    If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an 
additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are 
kept informed of the Project's progress.

Permits and Authorizations

    The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations 
for the Project required under federal law. This list may not be all-
inclusive and does not preclude any permit or

[[Page 54184]]

authorization if it is not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by 
law and/or special expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation 
of the Commission's EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy their NEPA 
responsibilities related to this Project. Agencies that would like to 
request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for 
filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this 
notice.

     Environmental Permits, Approvals, Clearances, and Consultations
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                                               Permit, approval, or
                 Agency                            consultation
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Federal:
    Federal Energy Regulatory            Natural Gas Act Section 3.
     Commission.
    U.S. Department of Energy/Office of  Natural Gas Act Section 3,
     Fossil Energy.                       Amendment of Free Trade
                                          Agreement Authorization and
                                          Non-Free Trade Agreement
                                          Authorization.
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.......  Clean Water Act Section 404/
                                          Rivers & Harbors Act Section
                                          10.
                                         Section 408 (Section 14 Rivers
                                          & Harbors Act).
    U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.......  Programmatic General Permit--
                                          Category 1 for Geotechnical
                                          Investigation.
    U.S. Coast Guard...................  Letter of Intent and
                                          Preliminary Waterway
                                          Suitability Assessment.
                                         Follow-on Waterway Suitability
                                          Assessment
                                         Letter of Recommendation.
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.......  Section 7 of the Endangered
                                          Species Act.
                                         Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
                                         Bald and Golden Eagle
                                          Protection Act.
    National Marine Fisheries Service,   Section 7 of the Endangered
     Protected Resources Division.        Species Act.
    National Marine Fisheries Service,   Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
     Habitat Conservation Division.       Management and Conservation
                                          Act Essential Fish Habitat
                                          Consultation.
    National Marine Fisheries Service,   Marine Mammal Protection Act.
     Office of Protected Resources.
    Federal Aviation Administration....  Notice of Proposed
                                          Construction.
    Federal Emergency Management Agency  Permit for floodplain
                                          development.
    U.S. Department of Transportation..  Pre-construction Notice.
State of Louisiana:
    Louisiana Department of Natural      Coastal Use Permit Coastal Zone
     Resources, Office of Coastal         Management Act Consistency
     Management.                          Determination.
    Louisiana Department of              Air Emissions Permit (Title V
     Environmental Quality--Air Quality   and Prevention of Significant
     Division.                            Deterioration).
    Louisiana Department of              Section 401 Clean Water Act
     Environmental Quality--Water         Water Quality Certification.
     Quality Division.
                                         Louisiana Pollutant Discharge
                                          Elimination System General
                                          Permit LAG670000--Hydrostatic
                                          Test and Vessel Testing
                                          Wastewater.
                                         Louisiana Pollutant Discharge
                                          Elimination System General
                                          Permit LAR050000--Multi-Sector
                                          General Stormwater Permit.
    Louisiana Department of Wildlife     Threatened and Endangered
     and Fisheries.                       Species Consultation.
                                         License to Dredge.
                                         Oyster lease consultation.
    Louisiana Department of Culture      Section 106 National Historic
     Recreation and Tourism/State         Preservation Act Consultation.
     Historic Preservation Officer.
    Louisiana Department of              Review of road easements,
     Transportation and Development.      modifications to state
                                          highways, traffic safety.
    Louisiana Office of State Lands....  State Water Bottom Lease.
Cameron Parish:
    Cameron Parish Police Jury.........  Development Permit.
                                         Coastal Use Letter of No
                                          Objection.
    Coastal Protection and Restoration   Letter of No Impact.
     Authority.
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Environmental Mailing List

    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for the Project which includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; 
environmental and public interest groups; federally recognized Indian 
tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. 
This list also includes all affected landowners (as defined in the 
Commission's regulations) 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 proposed Project. 
State and local government representatives should notify their 
constituents of this proposed project and encourage them to comment on 
their areas of concern.
    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 CP19-502-000 or 001 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


[[Page 54185]]


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

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 at 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 (i.e., CP19-502). Be sure you have 
selected an appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC 
Online Support at [email protected] or (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: September 24, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-21268 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P