[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 225 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53321-53322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-21029]


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

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP25-533-000]


Pine Prairie Energy Center, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Pine Prairie Energy 
Center Phase IV Expansion Project

    On August 8, 2025, Pine Prairie Energy Center, LLC (Pine Prairie) 
filed an application in Docket No. CP25-533-000 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 Pine 
Prairie Energy Center Phase IV Expansion Project (Project) and would 
amend Pine Prairie's certificated total capacity to 87.2 billion cubic 
feet (Bcf) of natural gas (61.1 Bcf of working gas and 26.1 Bcf of base 
gas) and reduce the maximum daily delivery capability from 3.2 Bcf/day 
to 3.0 Bcf/day.
    On August 22, 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-019-20-000-1758873996.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA January 23, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ April 23, 2026
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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

    The Project is in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana, and would consist 
of the following facilities:
     a new natural gas storage cavern (Cavern No. 6);
     0.16 mile of natural gas, fresh water, and brine return 
pipelines that would interconnect with existing systems;
     new brine filtration, gas heating, and dehydration 
equipment, and demolition of existing out-of-service brine filtration 
equipment;
     a new 19,000 horsepower electric motor-driven compressor 
unit in an extension of the existing compressor building;
     about 2.4 miles of 30-inch-diameter header loop pipeline; 
and

[[Page 53322]]

     modification of the existing ANR-North Meter Station and 
Highway 10 Valve Site.

Background

    On September 17, 2025, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Pine Prairie Energy Center Phase IV 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. In response to the Notice of 
Scoping, the Commission received comments from Ironworkers Local 623 of 
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, expressing support for the project, and Our 
Children's Trust, a legal advocacy group that commented agency actions 
must be consistent with protecting the rights to life, personal 
security, other liberties of young people, and children's equal 
protection of the law. 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, 
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., 
CP25-533), 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: October 17, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-21029 Filed 11-24-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P