[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17208-17209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-05789]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-29-000]


Saguaro Connector Pipeline, L.L.C.; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Border Facilities 
Project

    On December 20, 2022, Saguaro Connector Pipeline, L.L.C. (Saguaro) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP23-29-000 requesting an 
Authorization pursuant to Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act to construct 
and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed 
project is known as the Border Facilities Project (Project), and would 
serve as an interconnection to export natural gas produced in Texas 
across the United States-Mexico International Boundary in Hudspeth 
County, Texas. The design capacity of the border crossing is 2.834 
billion standard cubic feet per day.
    On January 5, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) 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 August 25, 2023
90-Day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ November 23, 2023
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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

[[Page 17209]]

provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    Saguaro proposes to site, construct, connect, operate, and maintain 
a 48-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline from the United States (U.S.) 
to the Mexico International Border in Hudspeth County, Texas. The 
pipeline would extend from State of Texas land to the U.S.-Mexico 
international border in the middle of the Rio Grande River. The Project 
would consist of the installation of approximately 1,000 feet of 48-
inch-diameter pipeline, establishment of a 50-foot-width permanent 
right-of-way, and use of approximately 14.2 acres as temporary 
workspaces and 6.9 miles of temporary access road.

Background

    On February 3, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Borders Facilities Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping 
was sent to 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. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission 
received several comments. The primary issues raised by the commenters 
are environmental justice, cultural resources, and pipeline safety. The 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provided recommendations to 
FERC regarding air quality, water quality, hazardous waste, and 
environmental justice. EPA's recommendations for these resources 
included comments regarding cumulative impacts for the non-
jurisdictional pipeline connected to the Project and consultation with 
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding Clean Water Act Section 404 
waters. All substantive comments 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., 
CP23-29), 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: March 15, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-05789 Filed 3-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P