90 FR 78 pgs. 17252-17253 - Black Bayou Gas Storage, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Black Bayou Gas Storage Project
Type: NOTICEVolume: 90Number: 78Pages: 17252 - 17253
Pages: 17252, 17253Docket number: [Docket No. CP24-494-000]
FR document: [FR Doc. 2025-07066 Filed 4-23-25; 8:45 am]
Agency: Energy Department
Sub Agency: Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Official PDF Version: PDF Version
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
[Docket No. CP24-494-000]
Black Bayou Gas Storage, LLC; Notice of Availability of the Environmental Assessment for the Proposed Black Bayou Gas Storage Project
The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared an environmental assessment (EA) for the Black Bayou Gas Storage Project (Project), proposed by Black Bayou Gas Storage, LLC (Black Bayou) in the above-referenced docket. 1 Black Bayou requests authorization to construct and operate an underground natural gas storage facility consisting of four caverns with a working capacity of about 34.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) in Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes, Louisiana. The Project would provide up to 1.6 Bcf of peak daily natural gas injection capability, and up to 2.0 Bcf of peak daily natural gas deliverability. Black Bayou's stated purpose for this Project is to provide highly flexible natural gas storage, wheeling and balancing services, with an ability to cycle between injection and withdrawal services on short notice.
Footnotes:
1 ?For tracking purposes under the National Environmental Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1726746869.
The EA assesses the potential environmental effects of the construction and operation of the Black Bayou Gas Storage Project in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The FERC staff concludes that approval of the proposed project, would not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.
The proposed Project includes the following facilities:
• four new underground salt dome natural gas storage caverns;
• a Central Operations Site, consisting of:
? a 44,000-horsepower (hp) compressor station; and
? a brine leaching plant;
• nine freshwater wells on nine pads;
• nine saltwater disposal wells on three pads;
• permanent access roads;
• associated piping and valve settings;
• additional auxiliary equipment as required for functionality; and
• an Electrical Area;
• two 27.1-mile-long, 24-inch-diameter, looped bi-directional Header Pipelines, including;
? ten metering and regulation stations;
? a pig launcher and receiver;
? mainline valve sites; and
? temporary and permanent access roads.
[top] The Commission mailed a copy of the Notice of Availability to Federal, State, and local government representatives and agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; potentially affected landowners and other interested individuals and groups; and newspapers and libraries in the Project area. The EA is only available in electronic format. It may be viewed and downloaded from the FERC's website ( www.ferc.gov ), on the natural gas environmental documents page ( https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents ). In addition, the EA may be accessed by using the eLibrary link on
The EA is not a decision document. It presents Commission staff's independent analysis of the environmental issues for the Commission to consider when addressing the merits of all issues in this proceeding. Any person wishing to comment on the EA may do so. Your comments should focus on the EA's disclosure and discussion of 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 the Commission has the opportunity to consider your comments prior to making its decision on this project, it is important that we receive your comments in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 19, 2025.
For your convenience, there are three methods you can use to file 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 on the Commission's website ( www.ferc.gov ) under the link to FERC Online. This is an easy method for submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
(2) You can also file your comments electronically using the eFiling feature 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 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 Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP24-494-000) 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.
Filing environmental comments will not give you intervenor status, but you do not need intervenor status to have your comments considered. Only intervenors have the right to seek rehearing or judicial review of the Commission's decision. At this point in this proceeding, the timeframe for filing timely intervention requests has expired. Any person seeking to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene out-of-time pursuant to Rule 214(b)(3) and (d) of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedures (18 CFR 385.214(b)(3) and (d)) and show good cause why the time limitation should be waived. Motions to intervene are more fully described at https://www.ferc.gov/how-intervene .
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. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
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 OPP@ferc.gov .
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 https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.
Dated: April 18, 2025.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2025-07066 Filed 4-23-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P