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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 237 (Tuesday, December 10, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 99247]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28964]

[[Page 99247]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. CP24-512-000]

Texas Connector Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the 
Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Texas Connector 
Amendment Project

    On August 12, 2024, Texas Connector Pipeline, LLC (Texas Connector) 
filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission 
(Commission or FERC), in Docket No. CP24-512-000, requesting 
authorization pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to 
construct and operate certain natural gas facilities in Jefferson and 
Orange Counties, Texas. The Commission had authorized the Port Arthur 
Liquefaction Project (PALP, Docket No. CP17-20-000), on April 18, 2019. 
On May 25, 2023, in Docket No. CP17-21-003 et al., the Commission 
issued an Order Issuing Certificate, Amending Certificate, and 
Approving Abandonment, authorizing among other things, the abandonment 
by transfer from PALP of the Texas Connector Project (Project) to Texas 
Connector. The current application seeks to amend those Project 
facilities.
    On August 16, 2024, the FERC issued its Notice of Application for 
the amended 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\ In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's 
regulations, the unique identification number for documents relating 
to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1731674078. 40 CFR 
1501.5(c)(4) (2024).
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Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA March 21, 2025
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \2\ June 19, 2025
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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

    Texas Connector seeks to modify the Project facilities originally 
authorized in 2019 as follows.
     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 purpose of Project is to implement construction efficiencies to 
enhance the overall constructability of the previously authorized Texas 
Connector Project at various locations.

Background

    On November 18, 2024, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping 
Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed 
Texas Connector Amendment 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; potentially interested Indian tribes; other interested 
parties; and local libraries and newspapers. As of today's notice, the 
Commission has received no comments from any parties in response to the 
Notice of Scoping.
    No agencies volunteered to cooperate with the FERC in the 
preparation of the EA. All substantive environmental issues identified 
by staff 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, 
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].
    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., 
CP24-512), 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: December 4, 2024.
Carlos D. Clay,
Acting Deputy Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2024-28964 Filed 12-9-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
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