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LNG - Environmental Impact Statements
(EISs)
FERC staff issues Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Port Arthur LNG Project (Docket Nos. CP05-83-000, et al.)
Issued: April 28, 2006
FERC staff prepared a final environmental impact statement for Port Arthur LNG, L.P. and Port Arthur Pipeline, LP's (collectively Sempra) Port Arthur LNG Project. The project includes the construction of the Port Arthur liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Jefferson County, Texas and about 73 miles of new pipeline in Texas and Louisiana.
FERC's environmental staff concludes that Sempra's Port Arthur LNG Project with appropriate mitigating measures, as recommended, would have limited adverse environmental impact.
The final EIS also includes a final General Conformity Determination to assess the potential air quality impacts associated with construction and operation of the proposed project.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), and the National Marine Fisheries Service cooperated in the preparation of the final EIS.
Staff concludes the project would be environmentally acceptable action (with appropriate mitigation) because:
- The LNG terminal facility would make use of a site previously used for a dredge material placement area.
- The LNG terminal facility would be located in an area with access to a deep water federal navigation channel.
- Sempra would implement the FERC staff's Plan and Procedures to mitigate impacts on soils, wetlands, and waterbodies.
- Sempra would implement an approved Aquatic Resources Mitigation Plan to mitigate for, and minimize impacts on, wetlands and essential fish habitat.
- Sempra has routed the pipeline to avoid placement of the construction work area near most residences.
- Appropriate consultations with and/or permits from the FWS, NOAA Fisheries, the COE, state historic preservation offices, the Railroad Commission of Texas and the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (for the coastal zone management plan consistency determinations) would be required before Sempra would be allowed to begin construction.
- Safety features would be incorporated into the design and operation of the LNG import terminal and LNG vessels, and can be expected to operate safely.
- Operational controls would be imposed by the local pilots and Coast Guard to direct the movement of LNG ships, and the security provisions to deter attacks by potential terrorists.
- An environmental inspection and mitigation monitoring program would be implemented to ensure compliance with all mitigation measures that become conditions of any FERC authorization.
FERC Commissioners will take into consideration staff's recommendations and the final EIS when they make a decision on the project.
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