Document ID: FERC-2013-0791-0001
Agency: ferc
Document Type: Notice
Title: Environmental Assessments; Availability, etc.: Sabine Pass Liquefaction Expansion, LLC, et al.; Sabine Pass Liquefaction and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline Expansion Projects
Posted Date: 2013-06-13T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35625-35627]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-14061]

[[Page 35625]]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF13-8-000]

Sabine Pass Liquefaction Expansion, LLC; Sabine Pass 
Liquefaction, LLC; Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.; Cheniere Creole Trail 
Pipeline, L.P.: Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment 
for the Planned Sabine Pass Liquefaction Expansion Project and Cheniere 
Creole Trail Pipeline Expansion Project, Request for Comments on 
Environmental Issues and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that will 
discuss the environmental impacts of the expansion and operation of the 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction Expansion, LLC; Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC; 
and Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (collectively referred to as Sabine Pass) 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction Expansion Project (SPLE Project) and the 
Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline, L.P. (CCTPL) Chenier Creole Trail 
Pipeline Expansion Project (CCTPL Expansion Project). Sabine Pass is 
proposing to expand the existing Sabine Pass Liquefied Natural Gas 
(SPLNG) Terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. CCTPL is proposing to 
expand and extend its existing pipeline system within the following 
parishes in the State of Louisiana: Cameron, Calcasieu, Beauregard, 
Allen, and Evangeline. Together, the SPLE Project and the CCTPL 
Expansion Project are referred to as the Project. This EA will be used 
by the Commission 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 on the Project. Your input will help the Commission staff 
determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Please note that 
the project scoping period will close on July 10, 2013.
    You may submit comments in written form or verbally. Further 
details on how to submit written comments are provided in the Public 
Participation section of this notice. In lieu of or in addition to 
sending written comments, the Commission invites you to attend the 
public scoping meetings listed below.

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           Date and time                          Location
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Tuesday, June 18, 2013, 6:00 pm     Comfort Suites, 2505 Highway 108,
 CDT.                                South, Sulphur, LA 70665.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013, 6:00 pm   Kinder City Hall Community Center,
 CDT.                                316 North 8th Street, Kinder, LA
                                     70648.
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    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental 
mailing list for these projects as described under the Environmental 
Mailing List Section of this notice. State and local government 
representatives are asked to notify their constituents of these planned 
projects and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a company 
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to 
construct, operate, and maintain the planned facilities. The company 
would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. However, if 
the Commission approves these projects, that approval conveys with it 
the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if easement negotiations fail 
to produce an agreement, the Companies could initiate condemnation 
proceedings where compensation would be determined in accordance with 
state law.
    A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural 
Gas Facility on My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' is available for 
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (www.ferc.gov). This fact sheet 
addresses a number of typically asked questions, including the use of 
eminent domain and how to participate in the Commission's proceedings.

Summary of the Planned Project

    The SPLE Project would primarily consist of the addition of two 
liquefaction trains (Trains 5 and 6) capable of processing an average 
of 1.3 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas and to export 
about 9 million metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per annum 
(mtpa) via LNG carriers. Trains 5 and 6 would comprise Stage 3 of the 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project, which is currently under construction 
at the SPLNG Terminal. When completed, all six liquefaction trains at 
the SPLNG Terminal would be capable of processing an average of 4.0 
Bcf/d of natural gas and to export about 27 million mtpa. The SPLE 
Project would be located within areas that have been evaluated and 
assessed in conjunction with the Commission's review and approval of 
other portions of the SPLNG Terminal.\1\
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    \1\ See Docket Nos. CP04-47-000, CP04-38-000, CP04-39-000, CP04-
40-000, CP05-396-000, CP04-47-001, CP-05-396-001, CP11-72-000, and 
CP13-02-000.
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    The SPLE Project would consist of the following facilities:
     Two LNG liquefaction trains;
     Additional power generation (two gas turbine generators 
capable of generating approximately 30 megawatts of power);
     Other infrastructure and modifications (including five 
recycle boil-off gas compressors, three instrument air compressor 
packages, two demineralizer units, one demineralized water tank, and 
two diesel-powered standby generators);
     Modification of terminal facilities; and
     New and remodeled buildings.
    CCTPL plans to expand and extend the existing CCTPL pipeline system 
to enable it to provide an additional 1.5 Bcf/d of transportation 
capacity to the SPLNG Terminal. The CCTP Expansion Project would 
involve the addition of approximately 98.7 miles of pipeline, including 
two loops (Loop 1 and Loop 2), an Extension, and three laterals. In 
addition, CCTPL would install a new compressor station and four 
metering and regulating (M&R) stations. Several components of the 
planned CCTPL Expansion Project occur in areas that have been evaluated 
and assessed in conjunction with the previous FERC review and approval 
of the Sabine Pass Pipeline and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline.\2\
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    \2\ See Docket Nos. CP04-47-000, CP04-38-000, CP04-40-000, CP05-
360-000, CP05-357-000, CP05-358-000, CP05-359-000, and CP12-351-000.
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    The CCTPL Expansion Project would consist of the following 
facilities in Louisiana:
     Loop 1, about 13.7 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline in 
Cameron Parish;
     Loop 2, about 24.5 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline in 
Calcasieu and Beauregard Parishes;
     Extension, about 46.8 miles of 42-inch-diameter pipeline 
in Beauregard, Allen, and Evangeline Parishes;
     Laterals, three 36-inch-diameter laterals (two 1,000-foot-
long laterals and

[[Page 35626]]

one 13.3-mile-long lateral) in Evangeline Parish;
     New or modified compressors at the previously-authorized 
Gillis Compressor Station in Beauregard Parish;
     A new Mamou Compressor Station in Evangeline Parish;
     Four new M&R Stations;
     Pig launchers/receivers; and
     Mainline valves (MLVs).
    The general location map of the project facilities is in Appendix 
1.\3\
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    \3\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in 
the Federal Register. Copies of appendices were sent to all those 
receiving this notice in the mail and are available at www.ferc.gov 
using the link called ``eLibrary'' or from the Commission's Public 
Reference Room, 888 First Street NE., Washington, DC 20426, or call 
(202) 502-8371. For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to 
the last page of this notice.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned SPLE Project would disturb about 156 
acres of the 853-acre SPLNG Terminal site. Additional temporary work 
areas would also be required for material laydown, equipment storage, 
and parking. Locations for the additional temporary work areas are 
under development and will be provided at a later date.
    Construction of the planned CCTPL Expansion Project would disturb 
about 1,621.2 acres of land, including 1,579.2 acres for construction 
of the pipeline and 42 acres for the aboveground facilities. Following 
construction, about 640.1 acres would be maintained for operation of 
the pipeline and aboveground facilities. The MLVs and launcher/
receivers would be installed within the permanent right-of-way. In 
addition to the land requirements noted above, additional land would be 
required for temporary access roads to the pipeline construction right-
of-way, permanent access roads to the new aboveground facilities, and 
temporary contractor/pipe yards for the storage of equipment, 
materials, and pipe.

The EA Process

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the 
Commission to take into account the environmental impacts that could 
result from an action whenever it considers the issuance of a 
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. NEPA also requires us 
\4\ to discover and address concerns the public may have about 
proposals. This process is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of 
the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the EA on the important 
environmental issues. By this notice, the Commission requests public 
comments on the scope of the issues to address in the EA. All comments 
received will be considered during the preparation of the EA.
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    \4\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff 
of the Commission's Office of Energy Projects.
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    In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of 
the construction and operation of the planned project under these 
general headings:
     Geology and soils;
     Land use;
     Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
     Cultural resources;
     Vegetation and wildlife;
     Air quality and noise;
     Endangered and threatened species;
     Public safety; and
     Cumulative impacts.
    We will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the Project or 
portions of the Project, and make recommendations on how to lessen or 
avoid impacts on the various resource areas.
    Although no formal application has been filed, we have already 
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing process. 
The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage early involvement 
of interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before 
the FERC receives an application. As part of our pre-filing review, we 
have begun to contact some federal and state agencies to discuss their 
involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of the EA.
    Our independent analysis of the issues will be presented in the EA. 
The EA will be placed in the public record and, will be published and 
distributed to the public. A comment period will be allotted after the 
EA is published for review. We will consider all comments on the EA 
before we make our recommendations to the Commission. To ensure your 
comments are considered, please carefully follow the instructions in 
the Public Participation section of this notice.
    With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction and/or 
special expertise with respect to environmental issues to formally 
cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA. These agencies may 
choose to participate once they have evaluated the proposal relative to 
their responsibilities. 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. 
Currently, the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE), Office of Fossil 
Energy (FE), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have expressed their 
intention to participate as cooperating agencies in the preparation of 
the EA to satisfy their NEPA responsibilities related to this project.

Involvement of the U.S. Department of Energy

    The FERC is the lead federal agency in preparing the EA to satisfy 
the requirements of the NEPA. The USDOE, FE, has agreed to participate 
as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA to satisfy its 
NEPA responsibilities.
    Under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act of 1938, as amended, 15 USC 
717b, the USDOE would authorize applications to export natural gas, 
including LNG, unless it finds that the proposed export would not be 
consistent with the public interest. For the SPLE Project, the purpose 
and need for USDOE action is to respond to two applications received by 
Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC (SPL) filed with USDOE on February 27, 
2013 (FE Docket No. 13-30-LNG), and on April 2, 2013 (FE Docket No. 13-
42-LNG), seeking authorization to export up to 0.28 Bcf/d and 0.24 Bcf/
d, respectively, of domestic natural gas as LNG. SPL requests to export 
LNG for a 20-year period from the proposed SPL facilities in Cameron 
Parish, Louisiana, commencing the earlier of the date of first export 
or eight years from the date that the requested authorization is 
issued.

Consultations Under Section 106 of the Natural Historic Preservation 
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 
implementing regulations for section 106 of the Natural Historic 
Preservation Act, we are using this notice to initiate consultation 
with applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s) (SHPO), 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.\5\ We will define the project-specific Area of 
Potential Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s) as the Project 
is further developed. On natural gas facility projects, the APE at a 
minimum encompasses all areas subject to ground disturbance (examples 
include construction right-of-way, contractor/pipe storage yards, 
compressor stations, and access roads). Our EA would document our 
findings on the potential Project impacts on

[[Page 35627]]

historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under 
section 106.
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    \5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations 
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Historic 
properties are defined in those regulations as any prehistoric or 
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in 
or eligible for inclusion in the Natural Register for Historic 
Places.
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Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    We have already identified several issues that we think deserve 
attention based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and 
the environmental information provided by Sabine Pass. This preliminary 
list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis:
     Construction and operational impacts on residences near 
the planned compressor station;
     Air quality;
     Socioeconomics;
     Construction and operational impacts on wetlands and 
waterbodies;
     Construction and operational impacts on migratory birds 
and threatened and endangered species;
     Construction and operational impacts on agriculture;
     Impacts on cultural resources, including Native American 
properties;
     Cumulative environmental impacts; and
     Public safety.

Public Participation

    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the Project. Your comments should focus on 
the potential environmental effects, reasonable alternatives, and 
measures to avoid or lessen environmental impacts. The more specific 
your comments, the more useful they will be. To ensure that your 
comments are timely and properly recorded, please send your comments so 
that they will be received in Washington, DC, on or before July 10, 
2013.
    For your convenience, there are three methods which you can use to 
submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please 
reference the project docket number (PF13-8-000) with your submission. 
The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert 
eFiling staff available to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or 
efiling@ferc.gov.
    (1) You may file your comments electronically by using the eComment 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at www.ferc.gov 
under the link to Documents and Filings. An eComment is an easy method 
for interested persons to submit brief, text-only comments on a 
project;
    (2) You may file your comments electronically by using the eFiling 
feature, which is located on the Commission's Web site at www.ferc.gov 
under the link to Documents and Filings. 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 may file a paper copy of your comments at the following 
address: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory 
Commission, 888 First Street NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; elected officials; Native 
American Tribes; environmental and public interest groups; other 
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also 
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's 
regulations) who own homes within certain distances of aboveground 
facilities, and anyone who submitted comments on the project. We have 
made every effort to include all commentors on the mailing list; 
however, we are unable to include commentors that did not include a 
physical address with their comments. We will update the environmental 
mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that we send the 
information related to this environmental review to all individuals, 
organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially 
affected by the planned project.
    Once the EA is published for distribution, copies will be sent to 
the environmental mailing list for public review and comment. If you 
would prefer to receive a paper copy of the document instead of the CD 
version or would like to remove your name from the mailing list, please 
return the attached Information Request (Appendix 2).

Becoming an Intervenor

    In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want 
to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to the 
Commission's proceeding. Intervenors play a more formal role in the 
process and are able to file briefs, appear at hearings, and be heard 
by the courts if they choose to appeal the Commission's final ruling. 
An intervenor formally participates in the proceeding by filing a 
request to intervene. Instructions for becoming an intervenor are 
included in the User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on the 
Commission's Web site.

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 Web site at www.ferc.gov using the ``eLibrary'' link. Click on the 
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number, 
excluding the last three digits in the Docket number field (i.e., PF13-
8). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For 
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at 
FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, 
contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the 
texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, 
notices, and rulemakings.
    In addition, the Commission now offers a free service called 
eSubscription which allows you to keep track of all formal issuances 
and submittals in specific dockets. This can reduce the amount of time 
you spend researching proceedings by automatically providing you with 
notification of these filings, document summaries, and direct links to 
the documents. Go to www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
    Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the 
Commission's calendar located at www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along with other related information.

    Dated: June 7, 2013.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2013-14061 Filed 6-12-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P