[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 201 (Thursday, October 19, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72057-72058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23106]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-519-000]


Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Rio Bravo Pipeline 
Route Amendment

    On July 20, 2023, Rio Bravo Pipeline Company, LLC (Rio Bravo) filed 
an application in Docket No. CP23-519-000 requesting a Certificate of 
Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the 
Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline 
facilities. The proposed project is known as the Rio Bravo Pipeline 
Route Amendment (Amendment), and would involve four minor route 
adjustments to the previously authorized route for the Rio Bravo 
Pipeline, as well as incorporate several minor design changes.
    On August 1, 2023, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or 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.

[[Page 72058]]

    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--November 14, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--February 12, 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, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Amendment's progress.

Project Description

    The Amendment would adjust the Rio Bravo Pipeline's certificated 
route from approximate milepost (MP) 69.8 to MP 79.4 and from 
approximate MP 92.4 to MP 93.0 in Willacy County, Texas and from 
approximate MP 99.7 to MP 100.5 in Willacy and Cameron Counties, Texas. 
The Amendment would also relocate a meter station and extend the 
approved Rio Bravo Pipeline route approximately 0.6 mile in Cameron 
County, Texas and modify the pipe wall thickness of the majority of the 
Rio Bravo Pipeline consistent with U.S. Department of Transportation's 
Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration regulations. The 
route adjustments are intended to minimize impacts on certain sensitive 
environmental resources, address landowner requests, meet technical 
requirements from the International Boundary and Water Commission, and 
align the terminus of the pipelines with the currently approved design 
of the Rio Grande LNG Terminal.

Background

    On August 23, 2023, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Rio 
Bravo Pipeline Route Amendment (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 comments from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, several individuals, Rio 
Grande LNG, LLC, and from Rio Bravo. The primary issues raised by the 
commenters specific to the scope of the Amendment are requests to 
extend the scoping comment period; impacts on endangered species (e.g., 
ocelot habitat), wildlife, and cultural resources; and reliability and 
safety. All substantive comments received during the scoping period and 
up until issuance of the EA 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 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 ``eLibrary'' link, select 
``General Search'' from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date 
range and ``Docket Number'' excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
CP23-519), 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: October 13, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-23106 Filed 10-18-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P