[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 44 (Friday, March 7, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11533-11536]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-03703]
[[Page 11533]]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. PF25-1-000; Docket No. PF25-2-000]
Southern Natural Gas Company, LLC, Elba Express Company, LLC,
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC; Notice of Scoping Period
Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Planned South
System Expansion 4 Project, Mississippi Crossing Project; and Notice of
Public Scoping Sessions
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental document that will discuss
the environmental impacts of the South System Expansion 4 Project
(SSE4) involving construction and operation of facilities by Southern
Natural Gas Company, LLC (SNG) and Elba Express Company, LLC (EEC) in
Lauderdale and Clarke counties, Mississippi; Sumter, Marengo, Hale,
Perry, Dallas, Autauga, Elmore, Tallapoosa, Macon, and Lee counties,
Alabama; and Harris, Talbot, Upson, Crawford, Monroe, Bibb, Jones,
Baldwin, Washington, Glascock, Jefferson, Richmond, Henry, Spalding,
Effingham, and Chatham counties, Georgia. The environmental document
will also discuss the environmental impacts of the Mississippi Crossing
Project (MSX) involving construction and operation of facilities by
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, LLC (TGP) in Washington, Sunflower,
Humphreys, Holmes, Attala, Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Lauderdale, and
Clarke counties, Mississippi; and Choctaw County, Alabama. The
Commission will use this environmental document 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 regarding the project. As part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. The
gathering of public input is referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal
of the scoping process is to focus the analysis in the environmental
document on the important environmental issues. Additional information
about the Commission's NEPA process is described below in the NEPA
Process and Environmental Document section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the environmental document. 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 March 31, 2025. Comments may be
submitted in written or oral form. Further details on how to submit
comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this
notice.
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 environmental document. Commission
staff will consider all written or oral comments during the preparation
of the environmental document.
If you submitted comments on this project to the Commission before
the opening of this docket on October 31, 2024, you will need to file
those comments in Docket No. PF25-1-000 or PF25-2-000 to ensure they
are considered.
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, the Natural Gas Act conveys the right of eminent
domain to the company. 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. The Commission does
not subsequently grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of that
eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle
eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these
matters.
A fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled ``An Interstate Natural
Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?'' addresses typically
asked questions, including the use of eminent domain and how to
participate in the Commission's proceedings. This fact sheet along with
other landowner topics of interest are available for viewing on the
FERC website (www.ferc.gov) under the Natural Gas, Landowner Topics
link.
Public Participation
There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has expert staff available to assist you at
(866) 208-3676 or [email protected].
(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 FERC Online. 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 FERC Online. 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF25-1-
000 for South System Expansion 4 and/or PF25-2-000 for Mississippi
Crossing Project) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal
Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington,
DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
(4) In lieu of sending written or electronic comments, the
Commission invites you to attend one of the public scoping meetings its
staff will conduct in the project areas, scheduled as follows:
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Schedule and Locations for the SSE4 and MSX Projects Public Scoping Meetings
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Project Date and time Location
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MSX (PF25-2-000)........................ Monday, March 24, 2025, 5:00 American Legion Hut, 14051 Hwy. 15
p.m.-7:00 p.m. CST. S, Decatur, MS 39327.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000) and MSX (PF25-2-000).. Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 5:00 The Warehouse Industrial Venue, 212
p.m.-7:00 p.m. CST. N Academy Ave., Butler, AL 36904.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000)....................... Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 5:00 YMCA of Selma-Dallas County, 1 YMCA
p.m.-7:00 p.m. CST. Dr., Selma, AL 36701.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000)....................... Thursday, March 27, 2025, 5:00 Davis Event Center, 2903 W MLK Hwy.,
p.m.-7:00 p.m. CST. Tuskegee, AL 35083.
MSX (PF25-2-000)........................ Monday, March 31, 2025, 5:00 Wister Gardens, 1440 Hwy. 7 South,
p.m.-7:00 p.m. CST. Belzoni, MS 39083.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000)....................... Monday, March 31, 2025, 5:00 Harris County Community Center, 7509
p.m.-7:00 p.m. EST. GA-116, Hamilton, GA 31811.
MSX (PF25-2-000)........................ Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 5:00 The Carousel House, 117 W Jefferson
p.m.-7:00 p.m. CST. St., Koscuisko, MS 39090.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000)....................... Tuesday, April 1, 2025, 5:00 Hampton Inn & Suites Macon I-75
p.m.-7:00 p.m. EST. North, 3954 River Place Dr., Macon,
GA 31210.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000) and MSX (PF25-2-000).. Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 5:00 Copeland Center, 2501 4th St.,
p.m.-7:00 p.m. CST. Meridian, MS 39301.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000)....................... Wednesday, April 2, 2025, 5:00 The Pringle Building, 114 East
p.m.-7:00 p.m. EST. Haynes St., Sandersville, GA 31082.
SSE4 (PF25-1-000)....................... Thursday, April 3, 2025, 5:00 Holiday Inn Express, 1361 N
p.m.-7:00 p.m. EST. Expressway, Griffin, GA 30223.
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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 environmental document. Individual oral comments will
be taken on a one-on-one basis with a court reporter. This format is
designed to receive the maximum amount of oral comments in a convenient
way during the timeframe allotted.
Each scoping session is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in
the appropriate local time zone. You may arrive at any time after 5:00
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
7:00 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 6:30 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''. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. For
assistance, contact FERC at [email protected] or call toll
free, (886) 208-3676 or TTY (202) 502-8659.
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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 oral 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 orally 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 SNG, EEC, and TGP will also be present to
answer project-specific questions.
Additionally, 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. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
The Commission's Office of Public Participation (OPP) supports
meaningful public engagement and participation in Commission
proceedings. OPP can help members of the public, including landowners,
community organizations, Tribal members and others, access publicly
available information and navigate Commission processes. For public
inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions,
comments, or requests for rehearing, the public is encouraged to
contact OPP at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].
Summary of the Planned Projects
For the SSE4 Project, SNG and EEC plan to construct and operate 14
new natural gas pipeline loops ranging between 20 and 42 inches in
diameter and totaling approximately 279 miles, primarily along SNG's
existing South Main Line in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia;
modifications and/or horsepower expansions that would add compression
at 13 existing compressor stations; four new meter stations; and
modifications to nine existing meter stations. The general location of
the SSE4 facilities is shown in appendix 2.\2\ SSE4 would create up to
approximately 1.3 million dekatherms per day of additional capacity to
SNG's pipeline system.
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\2\ 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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For the MSX Project, TGP plans to construct and operate
approximately 206 miles of new pipeline ranging from 36 to 42 inches in
diameter, and associated facilities in Mississippi and Alabama; three
new compressor stations, four new meter stations, three overpressure
protection facilities, and
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other appurtenant facilities such as mainline valves, pig launchers and
receivers, and access roads along the pipeline route. The general
location of the MSX facilities is shown in appendix 3.\3\ MSX would
provide approximately 1.5 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural
gas capacity.
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\3\ 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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Land Requirements for Construction
Construction of the planned SSE4 facilities would disturb about
4,646.23 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline.
Following construction, SNG and EEC would maintain about 1,639.73 acres
for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining
acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. About 93 percent
of the planned pipeline would be collocated with SNG's existing
pipeline right-of-way.
Construction of the planned MSX facilities would disturb about
2,462.9 acres of land for the aboveground facilities and the pipeline.
Following construction, TGP would maintain about 1,555.6 acres for
permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage
would be restored and revert to former uses. Approximately 25 percent
of the proposed pipeline route would be collocated with or parallel to
existing pipeline and electric transmission line rights-of-way.
The NEPA Process and the Environmental Document
Any environmental document issued by Commission staff will discuss
impacts that could occur as a result of the construction and operation
of the planned projects under the relevant general resource areas:
geology and soils;
land use;
water resources, fisheries, and wetlands;
cultural resources;
vegetation and wildlife;
air quality and noise;
endangered and threatened species;
socioeconomics; and
reliability and safety.
Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
planned projects or portions of the projects and make recommendations
on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various resource areas. Your
comments will help Commission staff identify and focus on the issues
that might have an effect on the human environment and potentially
eliminate others from further study and discussion in the environmental
document.
Although no formal applications have been filed, we have already
initiated our NEPA review under the Commission's pre-filing process for
both SSE4 and MSX projects. 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 will contact federal and state agencies to
discuss their involvement in the scoping process and the preparation of
the environmental document.
If a formal application(s) is filed, Commission staff will then
determine whether to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EA or the EIS will present
our independent analysis of the environmental issues. If Commission
staff prepares an EA, a Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an
Environmental Assessment will be issued. The EA may be issued for an
allotted public comment period. The Commission would consider timely
comments on the EA before making its determination on the proposed
project. If Commission staff prepares an EIS, a Notice of Intent to
Prepare an EIS/Notice of Schedule will be issued once an application(s)
is filed, which will open an additional public comment period. Staff
will then prepare a draft EIS that will be issued for public comment.
Commission staff will consider all timely comments received during the
comment period on the draft EIS, and revise the document, as necessary,
before issuing a final EIS. Any EA or draft and final EIS will be
available in electronic format in the public record through eLibrary
\4\ and the Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page
https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents) If eSubscribed, you will receive instant email
notification when the environmental document is issued.
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\4\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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With this notice, we are asking agencies with jurisdiction by law
and/or special expertise with respect to the environmental issues
related to these projects to formally cooperate with us in the
preparation of the environmental document.\5\ 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 National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have expressed its intention
to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the
environmental document to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to
this project.
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\5\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 1501.8.
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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, 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 projects' potential
effects on historic properties.\6\ The environmental document for these
projects will document our findings on the impacts on historic
properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.
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\6\ 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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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; local
community groups, schools, churches, and businesses; other interested
parties; and local libraries and newspapers. 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 within certain
distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits comments on
the project (and includes a mailing address with their comment).
Commission staff 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,
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organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially
affected by the planned project.
If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
(1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your
request. You must include the docket numbers PF25-1-000 and PF25-2-000
in your request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please
be sure to include your name and updated address. If you are requesting
to delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name
and address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable
to accept comments.
OR
(2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 4).
Becoming an Intervenor
Once SNG, EEC, and/or TGP files its applications 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 https://www.ferc.gov/resources/guides/how-to.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(s), excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field
(i.e., PF25-1 or PF25-2). 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.
Public meetings or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.
Dated: March 3, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-03703 Filed 3-6-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P