[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 122 (Monday, June 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38145-38146]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-13638]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP22-161-000]


Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Index 130 MS River 
Replacement Project

    On April 8, 2022, Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC (Gulf South) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP22-161-000 requesting a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Sections 
7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to replace its existing natural 
gas pipeline facilities under the Mississippi River. The proposed 
project is known as the Index 130 MS River Replacement Project 
(Project) and would involve the replacement of Gulf South's existing 
pipelines in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. The purpose of the Project is 
to accommodate the Mississippi River Ship Channel Deepening Project, 
planned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in partnership with the 
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
    On April 25, 2022, the Commission issued its Notice of Application 
for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted agencies 
issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all 
necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on a request for a 
federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the 
Commission staff's environmental document for the Project.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule 
for the completion of the environmental review.\1\
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    \1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
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Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA--September 26, 2022
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--December 27, 2022
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    \2\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other 
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally 
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal 
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed 
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the 
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a 
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.

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

Project Description

    To accommodate the Mississippi River Ship Channel Deepening 
Project, Gulf South proposes to replace via horizontal directional 
drill its Mississippi River Crossing, consisting of three 20-inch-
diameter pipelines with approximately 5,750 feet of two 30-inch-
diameter pipelines under the Mississippi River and install auxiliary 
and appurtenant equipment. Gulf South requests authorization to abandon 
three segments of the 20-inch-diameter Mississippi River Crossing 
pipeline by removal (combined total of approx. 9,455 feet) and the 
remaining pipeline in place (combined total of approx. 7,380 feet). 
Gulf South also proposes to reconfigure its existing mainline valve 
yards on the west and east banks of the Mississippi River--the Modeste 
Valve Site and Sugar Bowl Pig Trap/Valve Site, respectively. Where Gulf 
South's Index 804 connects to the Index 130 and Index 130L, the 
proposed reconfiguration will require expanding Index 804 by 
approximately 730 feet of 6-inch-diameter pipeline to the new tie-in 
location, and Gulf South proposes to remove the existing Sugar Bowl Pig 
Trap/Valve site.

Background

    On May 18, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Index 130 
MS River Replacement Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping 
was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local

[[Page 38146]]

government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public 
interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and 
local libraries and newspapers. In response to the Notice of Scoping, 
the Commission received a comment from the Louisiana Department of 
Transportation and Development, noting that Gulf South is responsible 
for obtaining all local, state, or federal permits required for the 
Project. The Commission also received comments from IMTT-Geismar, a 
landowner affected by the existing Gulf South facilities and the 
proposed Project. IMTT-Geismar states concern that the proposed Project 
will impact the landowner's current facilities and certain ongoing 
construction expansion plans. Comments were also filed by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency, providing suggestions on Commission 
staff's analysis of the Project's purpose and need, environmental 
justice, climate change, greenhouse gases, wetlands, and air quality.
    Any substantive comment filed in response to the Notice of Scoping 
will be addressed in the EA.

Additional Information

    In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to 
keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.
    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, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP22-161), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to 
eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-
8659, or at [email protected]. The eLibrary link on the FERC 
website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by 
the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

    Dated: June 21, 2022.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2022-13638 Filed 6-24-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P