[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77304-77305]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24838]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP23-129-000]


Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, CCL Midscale 8-9, LLC; Notice 
of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the 
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Midscale Trains 8 & 9 Project

    On March 30, 2023, Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC and CCL 
Midscale 8-9, LLC (collectively referred to as CCL) filed an 
application in Docket No. CP23-129-000 requesting 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 Corpus Christi Liquefaction Midscale Trains 8 & 9 Project 
(Project) and would expand CCL's existing terminal production 
capabilities. The proposed Trains 8 & 9 together would be capable of 
liquefying up to approximately 170 Billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/y) 
of natural gas for export.
    On April 13, 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\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA March 15, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ June 13, 2024
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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

    CCL plans to construct and operate two midscale liquification 
trains; on-site refrigerant storage, end flash, and boil-off gas 
facilities; and proposes an increase in the authorized loading rate of 
liquified natural gas ship carriers in San Patricio and Nueces 
Counties, Texas. The Project facilities would be interconnected with 
the existing Liquefaction Project and Stage 3 Project facilities 
(authorized under Docket Nos. CP12-507-000 and CP18-512-000, 
respectively, and collectively referred to as CCL Terminal), which 
would require minor modifications for purposes of interconnection and 
integration of the expansion facilities. The Project would require the 
use of 1,395 acres of land within the CCL Terminal property.

Background

    On November 10, 2022, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned 
Corpus Christi Liquefaction Midscale Trains 8 & 9 Project and Notice of 
Public Scoping Session (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping, 
issued during the pre-filing review of the Project in Docket No. PF22-
10-000, 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 
and Notice of Application, the Commission received comments from the 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Texas Parks and Wildlife Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Texas Commission on 
Environmental Quality, non-governmental organizations, and individuals. 
The primary issues raised by the commenters are permitting, outreach, 
vessel traffic, shoreline erosion, socioeconomics, environmental 
justice, air quality, water resources, aquatic resources, safety, and

[[Page 77305]]

cumulative impacts. All substantive comments will be addressed in the 
EA.
    U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation 
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and U.S. Coast 
Guard are cooperating agencies in the preparation of 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 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., 
CP23-129), 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: November 3, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-24838 Filed 11-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P