[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 172 (Thursday, September 5, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72388-72391]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-19889]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP24-494-000]
Black Bayou Gas Storage, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period Requesting
Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Black Bayou Gas
Storage Project, and Notice of Public Scoping Session
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document, that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the Black Bayou Gas Storage Project
involving construction and operation of facilities by Black Bayou Gas
Storage, LLC (Black Bayou) in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes,
Louisiana. The Commission will use this environmental document in its
decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the
public convenience and necessity.
This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and Environmental Document section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. To ensure
that your comments are timely and properly recorded, please submit your
comments so that the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or
before 5:00pm Eastern Time on September 27, 2024. Comments may be
submitted in written or oral form. Further details on how to submit
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this
notice.
Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts.
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Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they
need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission staff will
consider all written or oral comments during the preparation of the
environmental document.
If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on July 17, 2024, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. CP24-494-000 to ensure they are considered
as part of this proceeding.
This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this project. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You
are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission
approves the project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent
domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach
an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation
proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be
determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The Commission does
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these
matters.
Black Bayou provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the
FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do
I Need To Know?'' which addresses typically asked questions, including
the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's
proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of
interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov)
under the Natural Gas, Landowner Topics link.
Public Participation
There are four methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is also located on the Commission's website
(www.ferc.gov) under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can
provide comments in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file
with your submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by
clicking on ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of
filing you are making; a comment on a particular project is considered
a ``Comment on a Filing;''
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP24-
494-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852; or
(4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you
to attend the public scoping session its staff will conduct in the
project area, scheduled as follows:
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Date and time Location
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Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 4:30- Ward 7 Community Center, 1615
7:30 pm (Central Standard Time). Horridge Street, Vinton,
Louisiana 70668, (337) 589-
5181.
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The primary goal of the scoping session is to have you identify the
specific environmental issues and concerns that should be considered in
the environmental document. Individual oral comments will be taken on a
one-on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is designed to
receive the maximum amount of oral comments in a convenient way during
the timeframe allotted.
The scoping session is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Central Standard Time. You may arrive at any time after 4:30 p.m. There
will not be a formal presentation by Commission staff when the session
opens. If you wish to speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers
in the order of your arrival. Comments will be taken until 7:30 p.m.
However, if no additional numbers have been handed out and all
individuals who wish to provide comments have had an opportunity to do
so, staff may conclude the session at 6:30 p.m. Please see appendix 1
for additional information on the session format and conduct.\1\
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\1\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary''. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. For
assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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Your oral comments will be recorded by a court reporter (with FERC
staff or representative present) and become part of the public record
for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on FERC's
eLibrary system (see the last page of this notice for instructions on
using eLibrary). If a significant number of people are interested in
providing oral comments in the one-on-one settings, a time limit of 5
minutes may be implemented for each commentor. Although there will not
be a formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout
the scoping session to answer your questions about the environmental
review process. Representatives from Black Bayou will also be present
to answer project-specific questions.
It is important to note that the Commission provides equal
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form
or provided orally at a scoping session.
Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called
eSubscription which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and
submittals regarding the dockets/projects to which you
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subscribe. These instant email notifications are the fastest way to
receive notification and provide a link to the document files which can
reduce the amount of time you spend researching proceedings. 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].
Summary of the Proposed Project
Black Bayou proposes to construct and operate an underground
natural gas storage facility consisting of four caverns with a working
capacity of about 34.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in Cameron Parish,
Louisiana. The Black Bayou Gas Storage Project would provide up to 1.6
Bcf of peak daily natural gas injection capability, and up to 2.0 Bcf
of peak daily natural gas deliverability. According to Black Bayou, its
project would provide highly flexible natural gas storage, wheeling and
balancing services, with an ability to cycle between injection and
withdrawal services on short notice.
The Black Bayou Gas Storage Project would consist of the following
facilities:
four underground salt dome natural gas storage caverns;
a Central Operations Site inside the natural gas storage
area, to include:
[cir] a 44,000 horsepower compressor station;
[cir] a brine leaching plant;
[cir] a non-jurisdictional electrical supply facility;
nine freshwater wells;
nine saltwater disposal wells located on 3 pads;
associated piping and valve settings and;
two 27.1-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter, looped bi-
directional header pipelines in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes,
Louisiana; \2\
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\2\ A pipeline loop is a segment of pipe constructed parallel to
an existing pipeline to increase capacity.
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metering and regulation stations;
mainline valve sites; and
permanent and temporary access roads.
The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix
2.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 670
acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the loop pipelines.
Following construction, Black Bayou would maintain about 288 acres for
permanent operation of the project's facilities; Black Bayou would
restore the remaining acreage and allow it to revert to former uses.
About 89 percent of the proposed pipeline route parallels existing
pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-way.
NEPA Process and the Environmental Document
Any environmental document issued by the Commission will discuss
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation
of the proposed project under the relevant general resource areas:
geology and soils;
water resources and wetlands;
vegetation and wildlife;
threatened and endangered species;
cultural resources;
land use;
socioeconomics;
environmental justice;
air quality and noise; and
reliability and safety.
Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
proposed project or portions of the project and make recommendations on
how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
Following this scoping period, Commission staff will determine
whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present Commission
staff's independent analysis of the issues. If Commission staff
prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an
Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its decision regarding the proposed
project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued, which will open an
additional comment period. Staff will then prepare a draft EIS which
will be issued for public comment. Commission staff will consider all
timely comments received during the comment period on the draft EIS and
revise the document, as necessary, before issuing a final EIS. Any EA
or draft and final EIS will be available in electronic format in the
public record through eLibrary \3\ and the Commission's natural gas
environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you
will receive instant email notification when the environmental document
is issued.
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\3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues of this project to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the environmental document.\4\ Agencies that would like
to request cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for
filing comments provided under the Public Participation section of this
notice.
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\4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Section 1501.8.
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Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act
In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s),
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the project's potential
effects on historic properties.\5\ The environmental document for this
project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties
and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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\5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Environmental Mailing List
The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose
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property may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes
within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who
submits comments on the project and includes a mailing address with
their comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing
list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related
to this environmental review are sent to all individuals,
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the proposed project.
If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
(1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP24-494-000 in your
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to
accept comments.
OR
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 3).
Additional Information
Additional information about the project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number
in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at [email protected] or (866) 208-3676, or for TTY,
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.
Dated: August 28, 2024.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-19889 Filed 9-4-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P