
[Federal Register: February 27, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 38)]
[Notices]               
[Page 8929-8930]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27fe09-54]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP04-47-001 and CP05-396-001]

 
Sabine Pass LNG, L.P.; Notice of Availability of the 
Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Sabine Pass LNG Export 
Project

February 23, 2009.
    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or 
Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) on the 
liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities proposed by Sabine Pass LNG, 
L.P. (Sabine Pass) in the above-referenced docket.
    The EA was prepared to satisfy the requirements of the National 
Environmental Policy Act. The FERC staff concludes that approval of the 
proposed project, with appropriate mitigating measures, would not 
constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality 
of the human environment.
    In order to operate its facility for the purpose of exporting LNG, 
Sabine Pass is proposing to modify four 24-inch diameter check valves 
located on Transfer Arms A and D on the East and West Jetty Platforms. 
The modifications to the check valves would allow LNG to flow in the 
direction for ship loading from the LNG Storage Tanks.
    The terminal operations currently utilize the Phase I facilities 
under Docket CP04-47-000. Until the Phase II facilities under Docket 
CP05-396-000 are fully operational, LNG export operations would be 
limited to one transfer arm at a maximum rate of 6,000 cubic meters per 
hour (m3/hr). Once the Phase II facilities are fully 
operational, two transfer arms on one Jetty would be used for exporting 
LNG at a loading rate of 12,000 m3/hr.
    The terminal would be able to operate in a dual import/export 
capacity or solely as an import terminal depending on market 
conditions. In a dual operational capacity that utilizes Phase I and II 
facilities, one jetty would be dedicated for loading and the other for 
unloading. However, the valve modifications and unloading arms would 
not be permanent and could either be returned to full unloading or kept 
in-place to allow for dual import/export functionality.
    No other modifications to equipment, plant processes, or safety 
systems would be required to facilitate export operations. 
Additionally, no new environmental resources and no new stakeholders 
would be affected.
    The EA has been placed in the public files of the FERC. A limited 
number of copies of the EA are available for distribution and public 
inspection at: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Public Reference 
Room, 888 First Street, NE., Room 2A, Washington, DC 20426, (202) 502-
8371.
    Copies of the EA have been mailed to Federal, State, and local 
agencies; public interest groups; interested individuals and affected 
landowners; newspapers and libraries; and parties to this proceeding.
    Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. To ensure 
consideration prior to a Commission decision on the proposal, it is 
important that we receive your comments before the date specified 
below.
    You can make a difference by providing us with your specific 
comments or concerns about the Sabine Export 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 
in your comments so that they will be received in Washington, DC on or 
before March 23, 2009.

[[Page 8930]]

    For your convenience, there are three methods in which you can use 
to submit your comments to the Commission. In all instances please 
reference the project docket numbers CP04-47-001 and CP05-396-001 with 
your submission. The docket number can be found on the front of this 
notice. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has 
dedicated eFiling expert staff available to assist you at 202-502-8258 
or efiling@ferc.gov.
    (1) You may file your comments electronically by using the Quick 
Comment feature, which is located on the Commission's Internet Web site 
at http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. A Quick 
Comment is an easy method for interested persons to submit 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 Internet Web site at  
http://www.ferc.gov under the link to Documents and Filings. eFiling 
involves preparing your submission in the same manner as you would if 
filing on paper, and then saving the file on your computer's hard 
drive. You will attach that file as your submission. New eFiling users 
must first create an account by clicking on ``Sign up'' or 
``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 your comments via mail to the Commission by 
sending an original and two copies of your letter to: Kimberly D. Bose, 
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, PJ11.2.
    Comments will be considered by the Commission but will not serve to 
make the commentor a party to the proceeding. Any person seeking to 
become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene 
pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedures (18 CFR 385.214).\1\ Only intervenors have the right to seek 
rehearing of the Commission's decision.
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    \1\ Interventions may also be filed electronically via the 
Internet in lieu of paper. See the previous discussion on filing 
comments electronically.
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    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 comments considered.
    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 (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.

Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. E9-4247 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P
