[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 111 (Friday, June 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34034-34037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-13875]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF12-3-000]
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC; Cheniere Corpus Christi
Pipeline, L.P.; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment
for the Planned Corpus Christi LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project,
Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public
Scoping Meeting
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 planned Corpus Christi LNG
Terminal and Pipeline Project (Project). The Project would involve
constructing
[[Page 34035]]
and operating a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export and import terminal,
and a natural gas transmission pipeline in Nueces and San Patricio
Counties, Texas. The EA will be used by the Commission in its decision-
making process to determine whether to authorize the LNG terminal. The
EA will also be used by the Commission to help determine whether the
pipeline facilities are 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 about the Project. Your input will help the Commission's staff
determine what issues need to be evaluated in the EA. Your input will
also help the Commission's staff determine whether the preparation of
an environmental impact statement would be more appropriate for this
project. Comments about the Project may be submitted in writing or
verbally. In lieu of or in addition to submitting written comments, the
Commission invites you to attend a public scoping meeting scheduled as
follows:
FERC Public Scoping Meeting, Corpus Christi LNG Terminal and
Pipeline Project, June 26, 2012--6:00 p.m., Portland Community Center,
2000 Bill G Webb Drive, Portland, TX 78374.
Please note that the scoping period will close on July 2, 2012.
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 project and
encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
If you are a landowner receiving this notice, a Project
representative may contact you about the acquisition of an easement to
construct, operate, and maintain the natural gas transmission pipeline
facilities. The company would seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable
agreement. However, if the Commission approves the facilities, that
approval conveys with it the right of eminent domain. Therefore, if
easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, a condemnation
proceeding could be initiated 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 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
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC (Corpus Christi Liquefaction)
plans to construct and operate a LNG export and import terminal on the
north shore of Corpus Christi Bay in Nueces and San Patricio Counties,
Texas. The terminal facilities would be capable of liquefying
approximately 2.1 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas. These
facilities would also be capable of vaporizing approximately 400
million cubic feet per day of LNG. In addition to the liquefaction and
vaporization facilities; Corpus Christi Liquefaction plans to construct
and operate three LNG storage tanks at the terminal. These tanks would
be capable of storing approximately 160,000 cubic meters of LNG. To
facilitate the estimated 200 ships per year necessary to export and
import LNG, Corpus Christi Liquefaction is also planning to construct
and operate a marine berth connecting the terminal to the adjacent La
Quinta Channel which provides access to open water shipping routes.
Cheniere Corpus Christi Pipeline, L.P. (Corpus Christi Pipeline)
plans to construct and operate an approximately 23-mile-long, 48-inch-
diameter, bi-directional, natural gas transmission pipeline (and
associated facilities) capable of moving approximately 2.25 billion
cubic feet per day of natural gas between the terminal and existing
natural gas transmission infrastructure near the City of Sinton, Texas.
Corpus Christi Pipeline is also planning to construct and operate two
compressor stations; the 12,260 horsepower (hp) Taft Compressor Station
and the 41,000 hp Sinton Compressor Station to facilitate the movement
of gas within the pipeline.
The general location of the planned facilities is shown in Appendix
1.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\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'' 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land Requirements for Construction
Constructing the LNG terminal would require the use of about 891
acres of land. Operating the terminal would require the permanent use
of about 326 acres of land. Constructing the pipeline and associated
facilities would require the use of about 441 acres of land. Operating
the pipeline and associated facilities would require the permanent use
of about 202 acres of land. In total, constructing the terminal and
pipeline would require the use of about 1,332 acres of land. Operating
these facilities would require the permanent use of about 528 acres of
land.
The terminal and pipeline would be constructed and operated for the
most part on lands previously reviewed by the Commission in FERC Docket
Nos. CP04-37, 44, 45 and 46-000. These lands were reviewed for the
proposed Cheniere Corpus Christi LNG Project which was approved by the
Commission, but never built. The Cheniere Corpus Christi LNG Project
would have required the use of about 1,161 acres of land for
construction activities and about 712 acres of land for operations-
related activities.
The EA Process
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires the
Commission and other federal agencies to take into account the
environmental impacts that could result from an action whenever a
federal authorization, permit and/or approval is issued. NEPA also
requires the Commission's staff to discover and address concerns the
public may have about proposals. The discovery process is commonly
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 be addressed in the staff's EA. All comments received
will be considered during the preparation of the EA.
In the EA, the Commission's staff will describe the impacts that
could occur as a result of constructing and operating the Project under
these general headings:
Geology and soils;
Water resources and wetlands;
Vegetation, fisheries and wildlife;
Threatened and endangered species;
Socioeconomics;
Land use and aesthetics;
Cultural resources;
Air quality and noise;
Public safety; and
Cumulative impacts.
The Commission's staff will also evaluate possible 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, the Commission's
staff has already initiated its NEPA review under the Commission's pre-
filing process. The purpose of the pre-filing process is to encourage
early involvement of
[[Page 34036]]
interested stakeholders and to identify and resolve issues before the
FERC receives an application. As part of the pre-filing review, the
Commission's staff has begun to contact several federal and state
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the
preparation of an EA.
The EA will present the staff's independent analysis of the issues.
If staff determines the preparation of an EA is appropriate, the EA
will be placed in the public record, published, and distributed to the
public. A comment period will be allotted when the EA is issued. Staff
will consider all comments on the EA before making its 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 by law
and/or special expertise with respect to environmental issues to
formally cooperate with staff in preparing the EA. Agencies that would
like to request cooperating agency status should follow the
instructions for filing comments provided in the Public Participation
section of this notice.
Involvement of U.S. Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Fossil Energy (DOE) has
agreed to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the
EA to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities. DOE proposes to authorize
Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, or affiliated company, to export LNG
from the planned Corpus Christi LNG Terminal if DOE determines that
such export is not inconsistent with the public interest.
The DOE must meet its obligation under section 3 of the Natural Gas
Act of 1938, as amended (NGA), to authorize the import and export of
natural gas, including LNG, unless it finds that the proposed import or
export will not be consistent with the public interest. The purpose and
need for DOE action is to respond to an expected application to DOE
seeking authorization to export domestically produced natural gas as
LNG from the Corpus Christi LNG Terminal to any country: (1) With which
the United States does not have a free trade agreement requiring the
national treatment for trade in natural gas, and (2) with which trade
is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy.
Consultations 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, staff is using this notice to initiate consultation
with 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.\2\ Staff will define the project-specific Area of Potential
Effects (APE) in consultation with the SHPO(s) as the project develops.
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). The EA for this project will document the staff's
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status
of consultations under section 106.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation 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 for Historic
Places.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
Based on a preliminary review of the planned facilities and
information provided by Corpus Christi Liquefaction, the Commission's
staff has already identified several issues that it thinks deserves
attention. This preliminary list of issues may be changed based on your
comments and the staff's analysis. These issues are:
Air quality;
Water use;
Aesthetics;
Transportation;
Socioeconomics; and
Public safety.
Notice of Floodplain Involvement
Because the proposed Project may involve actions in floodplains, in
accordance with Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1022,
Compliance with Floodplain and Wetland Environmental Review
Requirements, the EA will include a floodplain assessment as
appropriate, and a floodplain statement of findings will be included in
any DOE finding of no significant impact.
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 the Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before July
2, 2012.
For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to submit
your comments to the Commission. In all instances, please reference the
project docket number (PF12-3-000) with your submission. The Commission
encourages electronic filing of comments and has expert staff available
to assist you at (202) 502-8258 or [email protected].
(1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature located on the Commission's Web site (www.ferc.gov) under the
link to Documents and Filings. This is an easy method for interested
persons to submit brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can file your comments electronically using the eFiling
feature located on the Commission's Web site (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 must select the type of filing you are making. If
you are filing a comment on a particular project, please select
``Comment on a Filing''; or
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
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;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes 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. Staff will update the environmental mailing
list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that it sends the information
related to this environmental review to all individuals, organizations,
and government entities
[[Page 34037]]
interested in and/or potentially affected by the planned project.
Becoming an Intervenor
Once Corpus Christi Liquefaction files its application with the
Commission, 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 in the User's Guide under the ``e-filing'' link on
the Commission's Web site. Please note that the Commission will not
accept requests for intervenor status at this time. You must wait until
the Commission receives a formal application for the project.
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 (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., PF12-
3-000). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For
assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at
[email protected] 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 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 1, 2012.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2012-13875 Filed 6-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P