FERC issues EIS on Cameron LNG

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) yesterday prepared a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Cameron Liquefaction Project, proposed by Cameron LNG, LLC and Cameron Interstate Pipeline, LLC.

The project is proposed in Cameron, Calcasieu, and Beauregard Parishes, Louisiana, and would provide Cameron with the ability to export approximately 12 million tpa of LNG. Cameron would construct three separate systems that liquefy natural gas; one 160 000 m³, full-containment LNG storage tank; refrigerant make-up and condensate product storage; a truck loading/unloading area; one marine work dock; minor modifications to existing terminal facilities; 21 miles of 42 in. dia. pipeline; one 56 820 hp compressor station; and ancillary facilities.

The EIS was prepared in compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 1500 - 1508), and FERC regulations implementing NEPA (18 CFR 380). The US Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, US Department of Energy (DOE), and the US Department of Transportation cooperated in the preparation of the EIS.

Conclusions

The FERC’s environmental staff concluded that construction and operation of the project would result in some adverse environmental impacts.

However, these impacts would be reduced to less than significant levels with the implementation of Cameron’s proposed minimisation and mitigation measures and the additional measures recommended by the FERC staff in the EIS. Although many factors were considered in this determination, the principal reasons are:

• Cameron Interstate would collocate 100% of the pipeline with existing rights-of-way.
• The Project would be consistent with or in conformance with federal authorisations, including the Coastal Zone Management Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Clean Air Act.
• Cameron would implement resource or activity-specific plans, procedures, and agreements to protect natural resources, avoid or limit environmental impacts, and promote restoration of all disturbed areas during construction and operation of the project.
• The use of the HDD method would avoid disturbances to a number of wetlands and major waterbodies along the route.
• The appropriate consultations with the FWS, COE, SHPOs, and any appropriate compliance actions resulting from these consultations, would be completed before Cameron would begin construction in any given area.
• An environmental inspection programme would be implemented to ensure compliance with all mitigation measures, certificate conditions, and other stipulations included in permits from other authorising federal, state, and local agencies.

Adapted from press release by Ted Monroe

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/01052014/ferc_issues_final_environmental_impact_statement_on_cameron_lng_project/