[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 61 (Thursday, March 28, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21509-21510]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-06560]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP24-37-000]


Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Amoco South 
Pecan Lake Abandonment Project

    On January 16, 2024, Columbia Gulf Transmission, LLC (Columbia 
Gulf) filed an application in Docket No. CP24-37-000 requesting an 
Authorization pursuant to Section 7(b) of the Natural Gas Act involving 
abandonment of approximately 21 miles of pipeline and related 
appurtenances in Cameron Parish, Louisiana.
    On January 26, 2024, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC) issued its Notice

[[Page 21510]]

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 June 20, 2024
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ September 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, additional notice will be 
provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the 
Project's progress.

Project Description

    Columbia Gulf proposes to abandon in place and abandon by removal 
approximately 21 miles of pipeline and related appurtenances, located 
in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. According to Columbia Gulf, abandonment 
will eliminate the need for future operating and maintenance 
expenditures on outdated facilities that are no longer needed to 
satisfy current firm service obligations. Abandonment of these 
facilities will not change the certificated capacity of Columbia Gulf's 
system and will not result in the termination or reduction of service 
to existing customers of Columbia Gulf.
    The Project would consist of the following activities:
     Abandon in place and by removal approximately 16 miles of 
its 16-inch-diameter South Pecan Lake Pipeline;
     Abandon by removal approximately 1 mile of its 12-inch-
diameter Amoco/South Pecan Lake Pipeline;
     Abandon by removal approximately 4 miles of its 6-inch-
diameter Go Around Bayou Pipeline;
     Abandon by removal all of the facilities at the South 
Pecan Lake metering and regulating station (M&R) No. 505 and Goodrich 
M&R No. 4144; and
     Abandon by removal other related appurtenances.

Background

    On February 7, 2024, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Amoco South Pecan Lake Abandonment 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, 
we received comments by a landowner, James Guinn; the Mississippi Band 
of the Choctaw Indians; and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The primary 
issues raised were abandonment in place procedures and addressing 
unanticipated discoveries of cultural resources. 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.
    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., 
CP24-37), 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 21, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-06560 Filed 3-27-24; 8:45 am]
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