Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following:
See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details.
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 San Juan Micro-Fuel Handling Facility Project (Project) involving operation of facilities by NFEnergía LLC (NFEnergía) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether the Project is in the public interest. The schedule for preparation of the EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental Review section of this notice.
In accordance with the Council on Environmental Quality's regulations, the unique identification number for documents relating to this environmental review is EISX-019-20-000-1728388200. 40 CFR 1502.4(e)(10) (2024).
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 an authorization. This 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 the EIS section of this notice.
By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the scope of issues to address in the environmental document, including comments on potential alternatives and impacts, and any relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning impacts affecting the quality of the human environment. 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 November 25, 2024. 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.
Public Participation
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 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 also 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”;
(3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the Commission. Be sure to reference the Project docket numbers (CP21-496-000 and/or CP23-518-000) 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; or
(4) In lieu of sending written comments, the Commission invites you to attend one of two public scoping sessions its staff will conduct in the Project area, scheduled as follows:
| Date and time | Location |
|---|---|
| Monday, November 18, 2024; 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m | Hyatt Place San Juan, 580 Fernandez Juncos Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907. |
| Agency | Permit |
|---|---|
| Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | Natural Gas Act Section 3 Order of Authorization. |
| U.S. Department of Energy | Order to Import under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. |
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | Vessel General Permit under the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act. |
| United States Fish and Wildlife Service | Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, and the Bald and Gold Eagle Protection Act. |
| National Marine Fisheries Service | Consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. |
| National Marine Fisheries Service | Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act Consultation on Essential Fish Habitat. |
| Puerto Rico Planning Board | Coastal Zone Management Consistency Determination. |
| U.S. Coast Guard | Letter of Recommendation and Facility Security Plan Approval. |
| U.S. Department of Defense | Consultation for Effect on Military Installation. |
| U.S. Army Corps of Engineers | Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit/Section 408 Permit/Rivers and Harbors Act Section 10 Permit/Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, Section 103. |
| Department of Environmental Quality | Clean Water Act Section 401, Water Quality Certification/NPDES Stormwater Discharge Permits/Clean Air Act, Air Permit/40 CFR 52 Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule Permits. |
| Puerto Rico State Historic Preservation Officer | Consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. |