![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Golden Pass Pipeline LP; Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Northern Segment Amendment Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: September 7, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 173)]
[Notices]
[Page 52786-52788]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr07se06-41]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP04-400-002]
Golden Pass Pipeline LP; Notice of Intent To Prepare an
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Northern Segment Amendment
Project and Request for Comments on Environmental Issues
August 25, 2006.
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA) that
discusses the environmental impacts of Golden Pass Pipeline LP's
(Golden Pass) proposed Northern Segment Amendment Project (Northern
Segment Amendment or Project) which involves design and workspace
changes to the pipeline facilities previously approved as part of the
Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project.\1\ In the Northern
Segment Amendment, Golden Pass proposes the following changes to the
previously authorized facilities: (1) Replace the authorized, but not
yet constructed, 36-inch-diameter pipeline with a 42-inch-diameter
pipeline between approximate milepost (MP) 42.81 and MP 77.87, at the
American Electric Power Texoma Pipeline (AEP Texoma) interconnect and
the Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation (Transco) interconnect,
respectively; (2) relocate a mainline valve (MLV) from MP 54.11 to
52.50 and install a 42-inch MLV rather than a 36-inch MLV; (3) remove
from the approved facilities the 36-inch pig receiver and launcher at
the AEP Texoma interconnect; and (4) install a 42-inch pig receiver and
MLV at the Transco interconnect. The pipeline route would not change as
a result of the amended facilities. However, due to the increased
diameter of the pipeline, Golden Pass is requesting additional
temporary workspaces at certain locations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ On July 6, 2005, the Commission approved the Golden Pass LNG
Terminal and Pipeline Project in Docket Nos. CP04-386-000, CP04-400-
000, CP04-401-000, and CP04-402-000. The Golden Pass LNG Terminal
and Pipeline Project included a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal
and associated LNG facilities, 77.8 miles of 36-inch diameter
mainline pipeline, 42.8 miles of 36-inch diameter looping pipeline
that would be constructed adjacent to the mainline, and associated
pipeline facilities.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
This notice announces the opening of the scoping period that will
be used to gather environmental input from the public and interested
agencies on the Project. Please note that the scoping period will close
on September 25, 2006. Details on how to submit comments are provided
in the Public Participation section of this notice.
This notice is being sent to potentially affected landowners along
the Project route; Federal, state, and local government agencies;
elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native
American tribes; and local libraries and newspapers.
With this notice, we \2\ are asking Federal, state, and local
agencies with jurisdiction and/or special expertise with respect to
environmental issues to 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 which would like
to request cooperating status should follow the instructions for filing
comments described later in this notice. We encourage government
representatives to notify their constituents of this planned project
and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ ``We,'' ``us,'' and ``our'' refer to the environmental staff
of the Office of Energy Projects.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some affected landowners may be contacted by a project
representative about the acquisition of an easement to construct,
operate, and maintain the proposed pipeline. If so, the company should
seek to negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. In the event that
the Project is certificated by the Commission, that approval conveys
the right of eminent domain for securing easements for the pipeline.
Therefore, if easement negotiations fail to produce an agreement, the
company could initiate condemnation proceedings 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?'' addresses a number
of typically asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and
how to participate in the Commission's proceedings. It is available for
viewing on the FERC Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov).
[[Page 52787]]
Summary of the Proposed Project
In the Commission's July 6, 2005 Order, Golden Pass was authorized
to construct and operate approximately 77.8 miles of 36-inch-diameter
mainline, 42.8 miles of 36-inch-diameter loop, and 1.8 miles of 24-
inch-diameter pipeline and related pipeline facilities. These
facilities (or the Authorized Pipeline) will be used to transport
natural gas on an open-access basis from the Golden Pass LNG Terminal
on the Port Arthur ship channel to various interstate and intrastate
pipelines in Texas and Louisiana. The EA prepared for the Project will
incorporate by reference information provided in the environmental
impact statement prepared for the Golden Pass LNG Terminal and Pipeline
Project.
Golden Pass presently has a pending application for the Optimized
Pipeline Project (OP Project) by which it proposes to construct and
operate a single 42-inch-diameter pipeline, in place of the 42.8 miles
of dual 36-inch-diameter pipelines and to shorten the pipeline route.
That proposal would involve only those pipeline facilities in Jefferson
and Orange Counties, Texas, south of approximate MP 42.81. An
environmental assessment of the OP Project was issued on August 15, 2006.
The Northern Segment Amendment would affect the authorized pipeline
north of MP 42.81. A map illustrating the authorized facilities and the
proposed Project is provided in Appendix 1.\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The appendices referenced in this notice are not being
printed in the Federal Register. Copies are available on the
Commission's Internet Web site (http://www.ferc.gov) at the
``eLibrary'' link or from the Commission's Public Reference and
Files Maintenance Branch at 1-202-502-8371. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary refer to the Additional Information section
of this notice.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-Jurisdictional Facilities
There are no proposed non-jurisdictional facilities associated with
this proposal.
Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the Project would not change the permanent pipeline
right-of-way, but it would require additional temporary construction
workspace at certain waterbody, road, and pipeline crossings. The total
increase in temporary land requirements would be about 4.89 acres.
The EA Process
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 under
Section 7 of the Natural Gas Act. NEPA also requires us 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 of Intent, the Commission staff requests public comments on
the scope of the issues to address in the EA. All comments received are
considered during the preparation of the EA. By this notice, we are
also asking Federal, state, and local agencies with jurisdiction and/or
special expertise with respect to environmental issues to formally
cooperate with us in the preparation of the EA. Agencies that would
like to request cooperating status should follow the instructions for
filing comments below.
In the EA we will discuss impacts that could occur as a result of
the construction and operation of the proposed Project under these
general headings:
? Land use.
? Water resources, fisheries, and wetlands.
? Cultural resources.
? Vegetation and wildlife.
? Endangered and threatened species.
We will also evaluate possible 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.
Our independent analysis of the issues will be included in the EA.
Depending on the comments received during the scoping process, the EA
would be published and mailed to Federal, state, and local agencies,
Native American tribes, public interest groups, interested individuals,
affected landowners, newspapers, libraries, and the Commission's
official service list for this proceeding. A comment period would be
allotted for review of the EA. All comments received on the EA would be
considered before we make our recommendations to the Commission. The EA
is used by the Commission in its decision-making process to determine
whether the Project is in the public convenience and necessity.
To ensure your comments are considered, please carefully follow the
instructions in the public participation section described later in
this notice.
Currently Identified Environmental Issues
We have identified several issues that we think deserve attention
based on a preliminary review of the proposed facilities and the
environmental information provided by Golden Pass. This preliminary
list of issues may be changed based on your comments and our analysis.
? Water Resources.
? Impact on water quality.
? Impact on wetlands.
? Endangered and Threatened Species.
? Land use.
Public Participation
You can make a difference by providing us with your specific
comments or concerns about the Project. By becoming a commentor, your
concerns may be addressed in the EA and considered by the Commission.
You should focus on the potential environmental effects of the
proposal, alternatives to the proposal (including alternative locations
and routes), and measures to avoid or lessen environmental impact. The
more specific your comments, the more useful they may be. Please
carefully follow these instructions to ensure that your comments are
received in time and properly recorded:
? Send an original and two copies of your letter to: Magalie
R. Salas, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First
St., NE., Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426.
? Label one copy of the comments for the attention of Gas Branch 2.
? Reference Docket No. CP04-400-002 on the original and both copies.
? Mail your comments so that they will be received in
Washington, DC, on or before September 25, 2006.
Please note that we are continuing to experience delays in mail
deliveries from the U.S. Postal Service. As a result, we will include
all comments that we receive within a reasonable time frame in our
environmental analysis of this project. However, the Commission
strongly encourages electronic filing of any comments or interventions
or protests to this proceeding. See 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the
instructions on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov under
the ``e-Filing'' link and the link to the User's Guide. Before you can
file comments, you will need to open a free account which can be
created online.
Becoming an Intervenor
In addition to involvement in the EA scoping process, you may want
to become an official party to the proceeding known as an
``intervenor''. Intervenors play a more formal role in the process.
Among other things, intervenors have the right to receive copies of
case-related Commission
[[Page 52788]]
documents and filings by other intervenors. Likewise, each intervenor
must send one electronic copy (using the Commission's eFiling system)
or 14 paper copies of its filings to the Secretary of the Commission
and must send a copy of its filings to all other parties on the
Commission's service list for this proceeding. If you want to become an
intervenor you must file a motion to intervene according to Rule 214 of
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214, see
Appendix 2). Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing of the
Commission's decision.
Affected landowners and parties with environmental concerns may be
granted intervenor status upon showing good cause by stating that they
have a clear and direct interest in this proceeding which would not be
adequately represented by any other parties. You do not need intervenor
status to have your environmental comments considered.
Environmental Mailing List
If you do not want to send comments at this time, but still want to
remain on our mailing list, please return the attached Mailing List
Retention Form (Appendix 3). If you do not return the form, you will be
taken off the mailing list.
Additional Information
Additional information about the Project is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at 1-866-208-FERC or on the
FERC Internet Web site (http://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.
Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance,
please contact FERC Online Support at FercOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or
toll free at 1-866-208-3676, or for TTY, contact 1-202-502-8659. 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 http://www.ferc.gov/esubscribenow.htm.
Finally, public meetings or site visits will be posted on the
Commission's calendar located at http://www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/
EventsList.aspx along with other related information.
Magalie R. Salas,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E6-14769 Filed 9-6-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P