[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 18, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28293-28296]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12818]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket No. PF19-3-000]


Enable Gulf Run Transmission, LLC, Enable Gas Transmission, LLC; 
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the 
Planned Gulf Run and Line CP Modifications Project, Request for 
Comments on Environmental Issues, and Notice of Public Scoping Sessions

    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 Gulf Run and Line CP 
Modifications Project involving construction and operation of 
facilities by Enable Gulf Run Transmission, LLC (Gulf Run) and Enable 
Gas Transmission, LLC (EGT) in Jackson, Richland, Red River, DeSoto, 
Sabine, Vernon, Beauregard, and Calcasieu Parishes in Louisiana. The 
Commission will use this EIS 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 about issues regarding the project. The National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA) requires the Commission to take into account the 
environmental impacts that could result from its action whenever it 
considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity. NEPA also requires the Commission to discover 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 EIS on the important environmental issues. By this 
notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of issues 
to address in the EIS. 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 
July 12, 2019.
    You can make a difference by submitting 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. Your input will help the Commission 
staff determine what issues they need to evaluate in the EIS. 
Commission staff will consider all filed comments during the 
preparation of the EIS.
    If you sent comments on this project to the Commission before the 
opening of this docket on March 18, 2019, you will need to file those 
comments in Docket No. PF19-3-000 to ensure they are considered as part 
of this proceeding.
    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 planned 
project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.
    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 planned 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, that approval conveys with it the right of 
eminent domain. 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.
    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 website (www.ferc.gov) at https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/gas/gas.pdf. 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.

Public Participation

    The Commission offers a free service called eSubscription which 
makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals 
regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These instant 
email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and 
provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of 
time you spend researching proceedings. To sign up go

[[Page 28294]]

to www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/esubscription.asp.
    For your convenience, there are four 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 Documents and Filings. 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 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 can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to 
the following address. Be sure to reference the project docket number 
(PF19-3-000) with your submission: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal 
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, 
DC 20426.
    (4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you 
to attend one of the public scoping sessions its staff will conduct in 
the project area, scheduled as follows:

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        Date and time                           Location
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Wednesday, June 26, 2019,      Natchitoches Event Center, 750 Second
 4:30-6:30 p.m.                 St., Natchitoches, LA 71457, (318) 238-
                                7500.
Thursday, June 27, 2019, 4:30- War Memorial Civic Center, 250 W 7th St.,
 6:30 p.m.                      DeRidder, LA 70634, (337) 463-7212.
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    The primary goal of these scoping sessions is to have you identify 
the specific environmental issues and concerns that should be 
considered in the EIS. Individual verbal comments will be taken on a 
one-on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is designed to 
receive the maximum amount of verbal comments, in a convenient way 
during the timeframe allotted.
    Each scoping session is scheduled from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. CDT. 
You may arrive at any time after 4:00 p.m. There will not be a formal 
presentation by Commission staff when the session opens. If you wish to 
speak, the Commission staff will hand out numbers in the order of your 
arrival. Comments will be taken until 6:30 p.m. However, if no 
additional numbers have been handed out and all individuals who wish to 
provide comments have had an opportunity to do so, staff may conclude 
the session at 6:00 p.m. Please see appendix 1 for additional 
information on the session format and conduct.\1\
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    \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.
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    Your scoping comments will be recorded by a court reporter (with 
FERC staff or representative present) and become part of the public 
record for this proceeding. Transcripts will be publicly available on 
FERC's eLibrary system (see the last page of this notice for 
instructions on using eLibrary). If a significant number of people are 
interested in providing verbal comments in the one-on-one settings, a 
time limit of 5 minutes may be implemented for each commentor.
    It is important to note that the Commission provides equal 
consideration to all comments received, whether filed in written form 
or provided verbally at a scoping session. Although there will not be a 
formal presentation, Commission staff will be available throughout the 
scoping session to answer your questions about the environmental review 
process. Representatives from Gulf Run and EGT will also be present to 
answer project-specific questions.
    Please note this is not your only public input opportunity; please 
refer to the review process flow chart in appendix 2.

Summary of the Planned Project

    For the Gulf Run project component, Gulf Run plans to construct and 
operate approximately 171 miles of natural gas transmission pipeline, 
two new compressor stations, and ancillary facilities extending from 
Westdale, Louisiana, south to two connection points near Starks and 
Gillis, Louisiana. New pipeline facilities would include approximately 
135 miles of mainline pipeline and approximately 36 miles of lateral 
pipeline.
    For the Line CP Modifications project component, EGT plans to 
implement modifications necessary to allow bi-directional flow on its 
existing Line CP. Additionally, EGT plans to abandon Line CP by sale to 
Gulf Run. The Gulf Run and Line CP Modifications Project is currently 
designed to transport 2,800,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of natural 
gas. According to Gulf Run, its project would enhance the reliability 
and diversity of natural gas supply in the Gulf Coast Region and will 
create a new link between major supply basins and the Louisiana Gulf 
Coast.
    The Gulf Run and Line CP Modifications Project would consist of the 
following facilities, all of which are in Louisiana:
     Mainline Pipeline--Approximately 135-mile-long, 42-inch-
diameter natural gas transmission mainline pipeline extending from a 
receipt point at an interconnect with the existing EGT Line CP pipeline 
at the existing Westdale Compressor Station (CS) to delivery points at 
interconnects with the existing Golden Pass Pipeline, LLC and Transco 
Pipeline near Starks.
     Gillis Lateral--Approximately 36-mile-long, 36-inch-
diameter lateral pipeline extending from the proposed Gulf Run CS #2 
near DeRidder, to interconnects with multiple existing interstate 
pipelines (e.g., Cheniere Creole Trail, L.P., Texas Eastern 
Transmission, LP, Transco, and Trunkline Gas Company, LLC) near Gillis.
     Two new compressor stations:
    [cir] Gulf Run CS #1--To be constructed near the town of Many in 
Sabine Parish. Installed capacity will include up to 55,370 horsepower 
(hp) from one natural gas-powered Titan 250 and one natural gas-powered 
Titan 130 compressor units on an approximately 20-acre site.
    [cir] Gulf Run CS #2--To be constructed near DeRidder in Vernon 
Parish. Installed capacity will include up to 62,840 hp from two 
natural gas-powered Titan 130 compressor units and one natural gas-
powered Mars 100 compressor unit on an approximately 20-acre site.
     Six new meter stations: Two near Starks and four near 
Gillis.

[[Page 28295]]

     New ancillary facilities including main line valves and 
pig launcher/receiver facilities.\2\ The exact design and location of 
these facilities are to be determined, but it is anticipated that some 
facilities will be located within the confines of the proposed 
compressor station and meter station sites.
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    \2\ A ``pig'' is a tool that the pipeline company inserts into 
and pushes through the pipeline for cleaning the pipeline, 
conducting internal inspections, or other purposes.
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     In addition to new facilities to be constructed, the 
following modifications are planned for the existing EGT Line CP 
system:
    [cir] Westdale Compressor Station (near Westdale in Red River 
Parish)--Install two natural gas-powered Mars 100 compressor units 
totaling 31,800 hp; restage the two existing natural gas-powered Mars 
100 compressor units (totaling 30,000 hp); add up to eight air-cooled 
heat exchangers; modify existing station piping; and add a motor 
control center building fuel gas skid, power and control building, and 
standby generator.
    [cir] Vernon Compressor Station (near North Hodge in Jackson 
Parish)--Restage the existing natural gas-powered Mars 100 and two 
Taurus 70 compressor units (totaling 35,604 hp); add air-cooled heat 
exchangers; and modify existing station piping.
     Alto Compressor Station (near Alto in Richland Parish)--
Restage the existing natural gas-powered Mars 100 compressor unit 
(15,000 hp) and modify existing station piping.
    [cir] Modifications to four existing meters stations consisting of 
adding bi-directional flow to the ANR Meter Station and the Columbia 
Meter Station, modifying the Midcontinent Express Pipeline Meter 
Station to increase size, and adding a new receipt meter at the EGT 
Meter Station between Line CP and existing EGT pipeline facilities not 
being sold to Gulf Run.
    The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 
3.

Land Requirements for Construction

    Construction of the planned new aboveground facilities and the 
pipeline would disturb about 3,000 acres of land. Following 
construction, Gulf Run would maintain about 1,000 acres for permanent 
operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be 
restored and revert to former uses. About 45 percent of the planned 
mainline pipeline route and about 61 percent of the Gillis Lateral 
pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-
way. Additionally, modifications to the existing Line CP system would 
disturb about approximately 40 acres of land. Following construction, 
the operational area of the Line CP modifications would generally be 
within the footprint of the existing facilities.

The EIS Process

    The EIS 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;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     socioeconomics;
     cultural resources;
     land use;
     air quality and noise;
     public safety; and
     cumulative impacts
    Commission staff will also evaluate possible alternatives to the 
planned 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, Commission staff 
have already initiated a 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 Commission receives an application. As part of the 
pre-filing review, Commission staff will contact federal and state 
agencies to discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the 
preparation of the EIS.
    The EIS will present Commission staffs' independent analysis of the 
issues. The draft EIS will be available in electronic format in the 
public record through eLibrary \3\ and the Commission's website 
(https://www.ferc.gov/industries/gas/enviro/eis.asp). If eSubscribed, 
you will receive instant email notification when the draft EIS is 
issued. The draft EIS will be issued for an allotted public comment 
period. After the comment period on the draft EIS, Commission staff 
will consider all timely comments and revise the document, as 
necessary, before issuing a final EIS. To ensure Commission staff have 
the opportunity to consider and address your comments, please carefully 
follow the instructions in the Public Participation section, beginning 
on page 2.
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    \3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the 
last page of this notice.
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    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with 
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the 
environmental issues related to this project to formally cooperate in 
the preparation of the EIS.\4\ 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.
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    \4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing 
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal 
Regulations, Part 1501.6.
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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 is using this notice to initiate 
consultation with the 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.\5\ The EIS for this project will 
document our findings on the impacts on historic properties and 
summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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    \5\ 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 of Historic 
Places.
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Currently Identified Environmental Issues

    Commission staff have already identified several issues that 
deserve attention based on a preliminary review of the planned 
facilities and the environmental information provided by Gulf Run and 
EGT. This preliminary list of issues may change based on your comments 
and our analysis:
     Impacts on wetlands, especially forested wetlands;
     potential impacts on threatened and endangered species;
     visual effects to cultural and scenic resources, such as 
the Hickory Branch state scenic river; and
     impacts on land use.

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local 
government representatives and agencies; 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

[[Page 28296]]

within certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who 
submits comments on the project. 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 planned project.
    A Notice of Availability of the draft EIS will be sent to the 
environmental mailing list and will provide instructions to access the 
electronic document on the FERC's website (www.ferc.gov). If you need 
to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove 
your name from the mailing list, please return the attached ``Mailing 
List Update Form'' (appendix 4).

Becoming an Intervenor

    Once Gulf Run and EGT file their application with the Commission, 
you may want to become an ``intervenor'' which is an official party to 
the Commission's proceeding. Only intervenors have the right to seek 
rehearing of the Commission's decision 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 pursuant to Rule 214 of the Commission's Rules of Practice 
and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214). Motions to intervene are more fully 
described at http://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to/intervene.asp. 
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, after which the Commission will 
issue a public notice that establishes an intervention deadline.

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 (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, excluding the last three digits (i.e., 
PF19-3). 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 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 www.ferc.gov/EventCalendar/EventsList.aspx along 
with other related information.

    Dated: June 12, 2019.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2019-12818 Filed 6-17-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6717-01-P


