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###### Department of Energy

###### Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

          - [Docket No. CP24-512-000]

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental document, that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Texas Connector Amendment Project (Amendment Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by Texas Connector Pipeline LLC (Texas Connector), in Jefferson and Orange Counties, Texas. 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 an authorizing Order. 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 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 18, 2024. Comments may be submitted in written 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. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the environmental document. Commission staff will consider all written 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 August 12, 2024, you will need to file those comments in Docket No. CP24-512-000 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                           ( print page 92922)                        proposed Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.                

## Public Participation

                    There are three 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                     *FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.*

                    (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 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”; or                

(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the Commission. Be sure to reference the Project docket number (CP24-512-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, 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, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.

                    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 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                     *OPP@ferc.gov.*

## Summary of the Proposed Project

On November 29, 2016, Port Arthur Pipeline, LLC (PAPL) filed an application with FERC for the Texas Connector Project in Docket No. CP17-21-000. In January 2019, FERC issued a final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) that analyzed the Texas Connector Project, together with the Port Arthur Liquefaction Project (Docket No. CP17-20-000), and the Louisiana Connector Project (Docket No. CP18-7-000). The Commission issued an Order authorizing those combined projects on April 18, 2019. In May 2023, in Docket No. CP17-21-003 et al., the Commission issued an Order, authorizing among other things, the abandonment by transfer of the certificated Texas Connector Project from PAPL to Texas Connector. Texas Connector further evaluated the Project and proposes modifications as part the Amendment Project.

The Amendment Project includes the following modifications to the previously authorized project.
    - The Southern Compressor Station would not be constructed, and the original site of the Southern Compressor Station would be utilized for a laydown yard and access road.
    - The southern pipeline segment (Southern Segment) would decrease in length from 7.6 miles to 1.4 miles.
    - Compression at the Northern Compressor Station (renamed Orangefield Compressor Station) would increase from three natural gas-driven turbine compressors rated at 16,684 hp each, to four SolarTitan 130 Gas Turbine driven compressors rated at approximately 24,009 hp each.
    - The footprint and configuration of the Orangefield Compressor Station would shift slightly north and west and increase in size from 40 acres to 82.4 acres.
    - The northern pipeline segment (Northern Segment) would increase in length from 26.6 miles to 29.6 miles and include several modifications to the alignment and workspace to accommodate landowner requests and development within the previously authorized right-of-way.
    - Texas Connector proposes to use about 16,320 feet of the Big Hill Bayou south of Taylor Bayou and South Mansfield Ferry Road Canal as a water access routes. Big Hill Bayou would require dredging to facilitate vessel transit.
    - The KMPL Meter Station would not be constructed.

                    The general location of the Project facilities and maps showing the modifications associated with the Amendment Project are included in appendix 1.[1] 

## Land Requirements for Construction

The modifications associated with the Amendment Project would result in additional impact footprint of 95.6 acres of land; including the pipelines; aboveground facilities; additional temporary workspaces; contractor staging and pipe storage yards/spoil storage areas; and new or improved access roads. Additionally, the Amendment Project's proposed water access routes encompass about 94.4 acres. The modifications associated with the Amendment Project would result in an additional 94.8 acres of permanent impact for operation of the overall Texas Connector Project.

## NEPA Process and the Environmental Document

Any environmental document issued by the Commission would discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under the relevant general resource areas:
    - Geology, soils, and sediments;
    - water resources and wetlands;
    - vegetation and wildlife;
    - threatened and endangered species;
    - cultural resources;
    - land use;
    - environmental justice;
    - air quality and noise; and
    - reliability and safety.

Commission staff would 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                           ( print page 92923)                        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 up 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 [2]                                          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.                

                    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.[3]                                          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.                

## 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.[4]                                          The environmental document for this Project will document findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.                

## Environmental Mailing List

The environmental mailing list Federal, State, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Indian 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 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                     *GasProjectAddressChange@ferc.gov*                     stating your request. You must include the docket number CP24-93-000 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 2).

## 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                     *FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov*                     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: November 18, 2024.

Debbie-Anne A. Reese,

Secretary.

# Footnotes

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                         *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov*                         or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.                    
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2.                             For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.                    
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3.                             The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing cooperating agency responsibilities are at 40 CFR 1501.8.                    
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4.                             The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations are at 36 CFR 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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[FR Doc. 2024-27474 Filed 11-22-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P