[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 172 (Thursday, September 7, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61581-61582]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-19221]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Number CP23-501-000]


Port Arthur LNG, LLC, PALNG Common Facilities Company, LLC; 
Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment 
for the Port Arthur Liquified Natural Gas Amendment

    On June 21, 2023, Port Arthur LNG, LLC and PALNG Common Facilities 
Company, LLC (collectively, PALNG) filed an application in Docket 
Number (No.) CP23-501-000 for a limited amendment to the existing 
authorization issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) on April 18, 2019, in Docket No. CP17-20-000 to 
site, construct, and operate facilities for the liquefaction of 
domestically produced natural gas at the proposed liquified natural gas 
(LNG) terminal in Port Arthur, Texas. If authorized, the Port Arthur 
Liquified Natural Gas Amendment (Amendment) would allow for an increase 
in workforce, traffic volume, and work week/hour limits associated with 
the construction of its terminal from that analyzed in the final 
Environmental Impact Statement for the original Port Arthur 
Liquefaction Project (Docket No. CP17-20-000).
    On June 28, 2023, FERC issued its Notice of Application for the 
Amendment. 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 Amendment.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an 
environmental assessment (EA) for the Amendment 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 December 19, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ March 18, 2024
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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, an additional notice will 
be issued so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Amendment's progress.

Project Description

    PALNG's proposed Amendment would: (1) extend the work hours from 7 
a.m. to 10 p.m. to 24-hours-per-day until completion of the facilities 
described in CP17-20-000; (2) increase the workforce from 3,000 to 
6,000 workers during peak construction; and (3) increase the onsite 
terminal parking from 500 to 1,000 parking spaces.
    PALNG asserts that this Amendment would maintain a development 
schedule that maximizes construction efficiency while minimizing the 
duration of environmental and community disturbance in the vicinity of 
the approved terminal and meet the approved terminal construction 
schedule.

Background

    On July 18, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period 
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for The Port Arthur 
Liquified Natural Gas Amendment (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of 
Scoping was sent to affected landowners (as defined by the Commission's 
regulations); 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 comments 
from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Greater Port Arthur 
Chamber of Commerce, residents of Port Arthur and Sabine Pass, Sabine 
Pass Independent School District, and Sabine Passport Authority. The 
primary issues raised by the commenters are wanting to see an enhanced 
level of detail and analysis for the park and ride locations, 
environmental justice impacts, traffic impacts, noise, climate change, 
air quality, and public participation. In addition, some of these 
comments provided general opposition and support for the Amendment. All 
substantive comments received 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.
    The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports 
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission 
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners, 
environmental justice communities, Tribal members, and others access 
publicly available information and navigate the Commission processes. 
For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as 
interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is 
encouraged to contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
    Additional information about the Amendment is available from the 
Commission's Office of External Affairs at (866) 208-FERC or on the 
FERC website (www.ferc.gov). Using the

[[Page 61582]]

``eLibrary'' link, select ``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, 
enter the selected date range and ``Docket Number'' (i.e., CP23-501), 
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: August 30, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-19221 Filed 9-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P