[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 53 (Thursday, March 20, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13158-13159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04743]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP25-52-000]
Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, LLC; Notice of Schedule
for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Gulf Coast
Storage Expansion Project
On January 17, 2025, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, LLC
(Natural) filed an application in Docket No. CP25-52-000 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 Gulf
Coast Storage Expansion Project (Project) and would increase the
certificated peak day withdrawal level at Natural's North Lansing
Storage Field from 1,240 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) to 1,420
MMcf/d. The Project would allow Natural to meet growing demand for
natural gas storage to meet seasonal demand requirements and create
additional resiliency to withstand supply or demand disruptions.
On January 23, 2025, 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\ The EA will be
issued for a 30-day comment period.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1739953064.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--August 14, 2025
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--November 12, 2025
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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
Natural proposes to convert about 10 billion cubic feet of cushion
gas to working gas at its North Lansing Storage Field by installing one
new 12,000 horsepower electric-driven compressor unit at its Compressor
Station 388; approximately 5.6 miles of 30-inch-diameter loop line; and
various appurtenances, located in Harrison County, Texas. According to
Natural, the Project would allow the company to meet growing demand for
natural gas storage and create additional resiliency to withstand
supply or demand disruptions.
Background
On February 18, 2025, the Commission issued a ``Notice of Scoping
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the
[[Page 13159]]
Proposed Gulf Coast Storage Expansion 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, the Commission received comments from the Teamsters
National Pipeline Labor Management Cooperation Trust and the Texas
Parks and Wildlife Department. The primary issues raised by the
commenters are construction procedures, effects on threatened and
endangered species, and impacts on the local economy. All substantive
comments received 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,
community organizations, 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.,
CP25-52), 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 14, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-04743 Filed 3-19-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P