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 Department of Energy Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP21-44-000]
 The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that will discuss the environmental impacts of the Hackberry Storage Project (Project) involving construction and operation of facilities by LA Storage, LLC (LA Storage) in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana. The Commission will use the EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether LA Storage's proposed Project is in the public convenience and necessity. The schedule for preparation of the EIS is discussed in the 
                    *Schedule for Environmental Review*
                     section of this notice. 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 whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. This gathering of public input is referred to as “scoping.” By notice issued on October 20, 2020, in Docket No. PF20-5-000, the Commission opened a scoping period during LA Storage's planning process for the Project and prior to filing a formal application with the Commission, a process referred to as “pre-filing.” LA Storage has now filed an application with the Commission, and staff intends to prepare an EIS that will address the concerns raised during the pre-filing scoping process as well as comments received in response to this notice. Therefore, the Commission requests comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and any relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. 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 September 26, 2021. Further details on how to submit comments are provided in the 
                    *Public Participation*
                     section of this notice. As mentioned above, during the pre-filing process, the Commission opened a scoping period which expired on November 19, 2020; however, Commission staff continued to accept comments during the entire pre-filing process. All substantive written and oral comments provided during pre-filing will be considered during the preparation of the EIS. Therefore, if you submitted comments on this Project to the Commission during the pre-filing process in Docket No. PF20-5-000 you do not need to file those comments again. If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a pipeline company representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to construct, operate, and maintain the proposed facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable easement agreement. You are not required to enter into an agreement. However, if the Commission approves the Project, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent domain to the company. Therefore, if you and the company do not reach an easement agreement, the pipeline company could initiate condemnation proceedings in court. In such instances, compensation would be determined by a judge in accordance with state law. The Commission does not grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters. LA Storage provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled “An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?” which addresses typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet along with other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the FERC website (
                    *www.ferc.gov*) under the Natural Gas Questions or Landowner Topics link. Public Participation There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the Commission. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or 
                    *FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov.*
                     Please carefully follow these instructions so that your comments are properly recorded. (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 (CP21-44-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, MD 20852. Additionally, 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. Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and Expected Impacts The Project would involve the conversion of three existing salt dome caverns to natural gas storage service and the development of one new salt dome cavern for additional natural gas storage service, all within a permanent natural gas storage facility on a 160-acre tract of land owned by LA Storage. In addition to the storage caverns, LA Storage would construct and operate on-site compression facilities (Pelican Compressor Station) and up to six solution mining water supply wells at the storage facility on LA Storage's property; the Hackberry Pipeline, consisting of approximately 11.1 miles of 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline connecting the certificated Port Arthur 
                    ( print page 49322)
                    Pipeline Louisiana Connector (PAPLC) pipeline (CP18-7) to the natural gas storage caverns; the Cameron Interstate Pipeline (CIP) Lateral, an approximately 4.9-mile-long, 42-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline extending from the existing CIP to the planned natural gas storage caverns; metering and regulating at the CIP and PAPLC interconnects; and an approximately 6.2-mile-long, 16-inch-diameter brine disposal pipeline that would transport brine from the caverns to four saltwater disposal wells located on two pads north of the facility. The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1.[1] Construction of the planned facilities would disturb about 441 acres of land. Following construction, LA Storage would maintain about 267 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. The Hackberry Pipeline, CIP Lateral, and brine disposal pipeline would be collocated for 4.7 miles. Based on an initial review of LA Storage's proposal and public comments received during the pre-filing process, Commission staff have identified several expected impacts that deserve attention in the EIS. These include: Project impacts on wetlands and other fish and wildlife resources; impacts on water and air quality; safety of salt domes and brine injection; greenhouse gas emissions; and climate change. The NEPA Process and the EIS The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed Project under the relevant general resource areas: Geology and soils;
water resources and wetlands;
vegetation and wildlife;
threatened and endangered species;
cultural resources;
socioeconomics;
land use;
greenhouse gas and climate;
air quality and noise; and
reliability and safety. Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your comments will help Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a significant effect on the human environment. The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the issues. Staff will 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 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. Alternatives Under Consideration The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the proposed action.[3] With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites) that meet the Project objectives, are technically and economically feasible, and avoid or lessen environmental impact. 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 initiated section 106 consultation for the Project in the notice issued on October 20, 2020, with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office, and other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their views and concerns regarding the Project's potential effects on historic properties.[4]
                    
                     This notice is a continuation of section 106 consultation for the Project. The Project EIS will document findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106. Schedule for Environmental Review On February 10, 2021, the Commission issued its Notice of Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's final EIS for the Project. This notice identifies the Commission staff's planned schedule for completion of a final EIS for the Project, which is based on an issuance of the draft EIS in December 2021. Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS: April 8, 2022 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline [5]
                    
                    : July 7, 2022 If a schedule change becomes necessary for the final EIS, an additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the Project's progress. Permits and Authorizations The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations for the Project required under federal law. This list may not be all-inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it is not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to this Project. 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. Permit
AgencyClean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Discharges to Waters of the United States
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.( print page 49323)Coastal Use Permit
Louisiana Department of Natural Resources.Clean Air Act Title V Air Permit
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
 Environmental Mailing List This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental mailing list for the Project which includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; local libraries; newspapers; elected officials; Native American Tribes; and other interested parties. 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. State and local government representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed Project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern. 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 CP21-44-000 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 (
                    *i.e.,*
                     CP21-44-000). 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: August 27, 2021. Kimberly D. Bose, 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. At this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact FERC at 
                        *FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov*
                         or call toll free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659. Back to Citation
 2.
    
                         For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. Back to Citation
 3.
    
                         40 CFR 1508.1(z). Back to Citation
 4.
    
                         The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, 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. Back to Citation
 5.
    
                         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. Back to Citation


[FR Doc. 2021-18967 Filed 9-1-21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P