[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 93 (Thursday, May 15, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20664-20665]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-08651]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP25-94-000]
Rockies Express Pipeline LLC; Notice of Schedule for the
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Decatur Lateral
Project
On February 28, 2025, Rockies Express Pipeline LLC (Rockies
Express), filed an application in Docket No. CP25-94-000 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 Decatur
Lateral Project and would provide about 185 million standard cubic feet
of natural gas per day to Archer Daniels Midland and the Broadwing
Clean Energy Complex.
On March 12, 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.
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\1\ For tracking purposes under the National Environmental
Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1746098263.
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Schedule for Environmental Review
Issuance of EA--December 12, 2025
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\--March 12, 2026
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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
Rockies Express proposes to construct and operate a 15.9-mile, 20-
inch-diameter natural gas transmission lateral pipeline and a 0.8-mile,
20-inch-diameter spur pipeline that would connect its mainline, which
runs south of Decatur, IL, to two facilities in Decatur. Rockies
Express would also construct numerous associated facilities including
meter stations, valves, and inspection tool launching/receiving
facilities.
Background
On April 11, 2025, the Commission issued a ``Notice of Scoping
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues and Notice of On-
site Environmental Review for the Proposed Decatur Lateral 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.
The Commission did not receive any comments in response to the Notice
of Scoping; however, prior to its issuance, the Commission received
environmental comments from the Illinois Farm Bureau and from one
individual. The primary issues raised in the comments concern
agricultural practices, specifically a request that FERC require
Rockies Express to enter into an Agricultural Impact Mitigation
Agreement with the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and that Rockies
Express file for a permit with the Illinois Department of
Transportation. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA.
Additional Information
To receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to keep track
of formal
[[Page 20665]]
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.,
CP25-94), 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: May 9, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-08651 Filed 5-14-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P