[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 216 (Friday, November 12, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62801-62804]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-24661]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP21-1-000, CP21-458-000]


Golden Pass Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Intent To Prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed MP66-69 Compression 
Relocation and Modification Amendment and the Proposed MP33 Compressor 
Station Modification Amendment and Request for Comments on 
Environmental Issues

    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 proposed MP66-69 
Compression Relocation and Modification Amendment and the proposed MP33 
Compressor Station Modification Amendment (Amendments), involving 
construction and operation of facilities by Golden Pass Pipeline 
Company, LLC (Golden Pass) in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana and Orange 
County, Texas. The original Golden Pass LNG Export Project and 
Expansion Pipeline Project were reviewed in the 2016 Final 
Environmental Impact Statement issued in Docket No. CP14-517-000 and 
CP14-518-000 for the Golden Pass LNG Export Project (2016 FEIS), and 
the Order Granting Authorizations Under Sections 3 and 7 of the Natural 
Gas Act was issued on December 21, 2016. The Commission will use this 
EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether the Amendments 
are 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;'' and staff intends to 
prepare an EIS that will address the concerns received in response to 
this notice based on Golden Pass's Amendments. The EIS will tier off 
Commission staff's EIS and its findings and conclusions for the Golden 
Pass LNG Export Project and Expansion Pipeline Project approved in the 
December 21, 2016 Order.\1\ Therefore, the Commission requests comments 
on potential alternatives and impacts regarding the Amendments, 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 December 6, 2021. Further details on 
how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section 
of this notice.
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    \1\ The EIS for the Golden Pass LNG Export Project and Expansion 
Pipeline Project were filed in Docket Nos. CP14-517-000, CP14-518-
000 under Accession No. 20160729-4002.
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    Golden Pass 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 (CP21-
1-000; CP21-458-000) 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, 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 Amendments

    Golden Pass proposes to relocate, modify, and eliminate certain 
pipeline facilities previously approved by the Commission, but not yet 
constructed, as part of the Pipeline Expansion Project

[[Page 62802]]

(Docket No. CP14-518-000). According to Golden Pass, the MP66-69 
Compression Relocation and Modification Amendment and the MP33 
Compressor Station Modification Amendment are required due to are 
required due to new supply arrangements and the resulting engineering 
design, including pipeline hydraulics and delivery pressure 
requirements.
    The MP66-69 Compression Relocation and Modification Amendment would 
consist of the following facilities in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana 
(CP21-1-000):
     Relocating the approved compressor station at Milepost 
(MP) 66 approximately 3 miles, to MP 69, and increase the amount of 
compression at the relocated facility;
     adding a meter station near MP 69 to support a new 
interconnection (Gulf Run Interconnection and Meter Station) with a 
proposed interstate pipeline to be constructed an operated by Enable 
Gulf Run Transmission, LLC;
     removing any bi-directional piping modification to the 
interconnect; and
     minor modifications to existing interconnects at MP 66 and 
MP 68 (Transco Interconnection).
    The MP33 Compressor Station Modification Amendment would consist of 
the following facilities in Orange County, Texas (CP21-458-000):
     Relocating the MP33 Compressor Station approximately 50 
feet north-northwest to avoid an existing pipeline right-of-way;
     increasing the authorized compression at the MP33 
Compression Station from 17,994 horsepower to 37,101 horsepower;
     constructing three new interconnects and appurtenant 
facilities adjacent to the MP33 Compressor Station, one interconnect 
with Midcoast Pipelines L.P, and existing Texas intrastate pipeline 
that will expand its system to deliver gas on Golden Pass's system, and 
two interconnects with Golden Triangle Storage, Inc., a jurisdiction 
provider, that would enable deliveries from and receipts into Golden 
Pass's system; and
     eliminating receipt stations at the existing Texoma 
delivery interconnect on Golden Pass's existing system.
    Based on the environmental information provided by Golden Pass, 
construction of the proposed facilities in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana 
would disturb about 44 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and 
the pipeline. Following construction, Golden Pass would maintain about 
35 acres for operation of the Amendment facilities; the remaining 
acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. All of the land on 
which the proposed MP33 Compressor Station modification would be 
located in Orange County, Texas is owned by Golden Pass. Accordingly, 
construction of the MP33 Compression Station would not adversely affect 
landowners.
    In reviewing the Golden Pass' MP66-69 Compression Relocation and 
Modification Amendment proposal in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, no 
surface waterbodies are in the Amendment footprint, and the proposed 
amendment would actually reduce impacts on wetlands compared to the 
2016 FEIS. Commission staff have identified several expected impacts 
that deserve attention in the EIS.
    The general location of the Amendments is shown in appendix 1.\2\
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    \2\ 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 Golden 
Pass' filings, Commission staff have identified increased greenhouse 
gas emissions as an expected impact that deserves attention in the EIS.

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 
Amendments 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 
\3\ 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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    \3\ 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 actions. Alternatives currently under consideration include:
     The no-action alternative, meaning the Amendments are not 
implemented and the authorized Golden Pass Pipeline Expansion Project 
would remain as certificated.
    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 Amendments 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 is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s), 
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies, 
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the Amendments' potential 
effects on historic properties.\4\ The environmental document for these 
Amendments will document findings on the impacts on historic properties 
and summarize the

[[Page 62803]]

status of consultations under section 106.
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    \4\ 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 October 19, 2020 and June 23, 2021, the Commission issued its 
Notice of Application for the Amendments. Among other things, the 
notices 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 
Amendments. This notice identifies the Commission staff's planned 
schedule for completion of the final EIS for the Project, which is 
based on an issuance of the draft EIS in February 2022.
Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS--June 24, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline--September 22, 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 Amendments' progress.

Permits and Authorizations

    The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations 
for the Amendments required under federal law. This list may not be 
all-inclusive and does not preclude any permit or 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 these Amendments. 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
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Federal Energy Regulatory Commission...  Natural Gas Act Section 7.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE),    Clean Water Act Section 404
 New Orleans, Louisiana District.         Permit.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service...........  Section 7 of the Endangered
                                          Species Act, Migratory Bird
                                          Treaty Act, Bald and Golden
                                          Eagle Protection Act.
U.S. Department of Transportation......  Pre-construction Notice.
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                           STATE of LOUISIANA
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Louisiana Department of Natural          Coastal Use Permit Coastal Zone
 Resources Office of Coastal Management.  Management Act Consistency
                                          Determination.
Louisiana Department of Environmental    Minor New Source Review (NSR)
 Quality (LDEQ)--Air Quality Division.    permit for MP 69 Compressor
                                          Station.
Louisiana Department of Environmental    Section 401 Clean Water Act
 Quality--Water Quality Division.         Water Quality Certification.
                                         Louisiana Pollutant Discharge
                                          Elimination System General
                                          Permit LAG670000--Hydrostatic
                                          Test Water Discharge Permit.
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and     Threatened and Endangered
 Fisheries.                               Species Consultation.
Louisiana Department of Culture          Section 106 National Historic
 Recreation and Tourism/State Historic    Preservation Act Consultation.
 Preservation Officer.
Louisiana Department of Transportation   Review of road easements,
 and Development.                         modifications to state
                                          highways, traffic safety.
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                             STATE of TEXAS
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EPA, Region VI.........................  Issuance of National Pollutant
                                          Discharge Elimination System
                                          permits:  Industrial
                                          Stormwater Permit 
                                          Process Waste Water Discharge
                                          Permit  Stormwater
                                          Construction General Permit
                                          (Notification).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.........  Consultation for Federally
                                          protected threatened and
                                          endangered species.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers             Section 404 Permit for impacts
 (``USACE''), Galveston, TX District.     on waters of the U.S.,
                                          including wetlands.
Texas Commission on Environmental        Minor New Source Review (NSR)
 Quality.                                 Permit.
Texas Historical Commission State        Section 106 National Historic
 Historic Preservation Office.            Preservation Act Consultation.
Railroad Commission of Texas and Texas   Texas Natural Resource Code
 General Land office.                     Section 91.101 and Texas Water
                                          Code Section 26.131 Water
                                          Quality Certification.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department....  Threatened and Endangered
                                          Species Consultation.
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Environmental Mailing List

    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for the Amendments 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 
Amendments 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 Amendments. State and local government representatives should 
notify their constituents of this proposed Amendments and encourage

[[Page 62804]]

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 CP21-1-000 or CP21-458-000 
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).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the Amendments 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., CP21-1, CP21-458). 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: November 5, 2021.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2021-24661 Filed 11-10-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P