Environmental Impact Statements; Availability, etc.: Gulf South Pipeline Co., LLC, Texas Gateway Project

Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC;

Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Texas Gateway Project, Request for Comments on Environmental Issues, and Schedule for Environmental Review

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) will prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) that will discuss the environmental effects of the Texas Gateway Project involving construction and operation of facilities by Gulf South Pipeline Company, LLC (Gulf South) in Panola, Shelby, San Augustine, Sabine, Jasper, Newton, and San Jacinto counties, Texas, and Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. ⁽¹⁾ The Commission will use this EIS in its decision-making process to determine whether the project is in the public convenience and necessity. The schedule for preparation of the EIS is discussed in the Schedule for Environmental Review section of this notice.

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 effects that could result from its action whenever it considers the issuance of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity/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 effects, and any relevant information, studies, or analyses of any kind concerning effects 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 September 24, 2026. Comments may be submitted in written form. Further details on how to submit comments are provided in the Public Participation section of this notice.

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 proposed 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 grant, exercise, or oversee the exercise of eminent domain authority. The courts have exclusive authority to handle eminent domain cases; the Commission has no jurisdiction over these matters.

Gulf South provided landowners with a fact sheet prepared by the FERC entitled "An Interstate Natural Gas Facility On My Land? What Do I Need To Know?" which 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. The Commission encourages electronic filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-3676 or [email protected]. 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 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 (CP26-547-000) 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, MD 20852.

For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office of Public Participation at (202) 502-6595 or [email protected].

Summary of the Proposed Project, the Project Purpose and Need, and Expected Effects

Gulf South proposes to construct and operate the Texas Gateway Project which will comprise approximately 154 miles of new natural gas pipelines and associated metering and compression facilities in east Texas and southwest Louisiana. Gulf South also proposes to construct a new compressor station along its existing Index 129 Legacy System in San Jacinto County, Texas and expand two existing compressor stations located along the new pipeline route. Overall, the project will allow Gulf South to transport approximately 1.8 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas from existing facilities in Carthage, Texas to delivery points in southeast Texas and southwest Louisiana.

According to Gulf South, its project would support liquefied natural gas (LNG), industrial, and utility demand by connecting shippers to diverse natural gas supplies from the Permian, Eagle Ford, and Haynesville basins. The project would enhance system reliability, supply security, flow assurance, and long-term economic development in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas by linking these production areas to the growing market centers in southeast Texas and southwestern Louisiana, including LNG export facilities located near the Gillis Hub and surrounding Gulf Coast Region.

The Texas Gateway Project would consist of the following facilities:

• a new 154-mile-long natural gas pipeline comprised of 36-inch- and 42-inch-diameter pipe segments, in Panola, Shelby, San Augustine, Sabine, Jasper, Newton, and San Jacinto counties, Texas, and Beauregard Parish, Louisiana;
• three new delivery meter and regulator stations;
• a new 13,410-horsepower compressor station (the Cleveland Compressor Station [CS]) along Gulf South's existing Index 129 Legacy System in San Jacinto County, Texas;

• expansion of compressor capacity at the existing Carthage Junction CS in Panola County, Texas and the existing Magasco CS in Sabine County, Texas; and

• a new bi-directional check meter and regulator station at the Carthage Junction CS in Panora County, Texas.

The general location of the project facilities is shown in appendix 1. ⁽²⁾

Construction of the proposed facilities would disturb about 2,970 acres of land for the above ground facilities and the pipeline. Following construction, Gulf South would maintain about 991 acres for permanent operation of the project's facilities; the remaining acreage would be restored and revert to former uses. About 44 percent of the proposed pipeline route parallels existing pipeline, utility, or road rights-of-way.

Based on an initial review of Gulf South's proposal, Commission staff have identified several expected effects that deserve attention in the EIS. These include effects from waterbody crossings, including two designated Scenic Rivers; effects to wetlands, including permanent conversion of about 29 acres of forested wetland to emergent wetland; crossing federally managed land, including a designated Wildlife Management Area; crossing the El Camino Real de los Tejas Historic Trail, crossing private land managed under a conservation easement; and potential effects to designated Critical Habitat for species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

The NEPA Process and the EIS

The EIS issued by the Commission will discuss effects that could occur as a result of the construction and operation of the proposed project under the relevant general resource areas:

• geology and soils;
• water resources and wetlands;
• vegetation and wildlife;
• threatened and endangered species;
• cultural resources;
• land use;
• socioeconomics;
• air quality and noise; and
• reliability and safety.

Commission staff will also make recommendations on how to lessen or avoid effects on the various resource areas. Your comments will help Commission staff focus its analysis on the issues that may have a significant effect on the human environment.

The EIS will present Commission staff's independent analysis of the issues. The following are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EIS:  ⁽³⁾ the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; U.S. Forest Service; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Staff will prepare a draft EIS which 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 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.

Alternatives Under Consideration

The EIS will evaluate reasonable alternatives that are technically and economically feasible and meet the purpose and need for the proposed action. Alternatives currently under consideration include:

• the no-action alternative, meaning the project is not implemented;
• pipeline route alternatives, including minor deviations;
• aboveground facility site alternatives; and
• compression alternatives.

With this notice, the Commission requests specific comments regarding any additional potential alternatives to the proposed action or segments of the proposed action. Please focus your comments on reasonable alternatives (including alternative facility sites and pipeline routes) that meet the project objectives, are technically and economically feasible, and avoid or lessen environmental effects.

Consultation 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 Offices, and other government agencies, interested Indian tribes, and the public to solicit their views and concerns regarding the project's potential effects on historic properties. ⁽⁵⁾ The project EIS will document findings on the effects on historic properties and summarize the status of consultations under section 106.

Schedule for Environmental Review

On July 15, 2026, the Commission issued its Notice of Application for the project. Among other things, that notice alerted other agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on the request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's final EIS for the project. We developed this schedule based on a thorough review of the relevant factors, including the size and greenfield nature of the project, the absence of pre-filing review, and the need to allot adequate time for coordination with cooperating agencies. This notice identifies the Commission staff's planned schedule for completion of the final EIS for the project, which is based on an issuance of the draft EIS in April 2027, opening a 45-day comment period.

Issuance of Notice of Availability of the final EIS-September 24, 2027

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline  ⁽⁶⁾ -December 23, 2027

In accordance with Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, agencies are to publish completion dates for all federal environmental reviews and authorizations. This notice identifies the Commission's anticipated schedule for issuance of the final order for the project, which is based on the anticipated issuance date for the final EIS. We currently anticipate issuing a final order for the project no later than:

Issuance of Final Order-December 16, 2027

If a schedule change becomes necessary, an additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the project's progress.

Permits and Authorizations

The table below lists the anticipated permits and authorizations for the project required under federal law. This list may not be all-inclusive and does not preclude any permit or authorization if it is not listed here. Agencies with jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise may formally cooperate in the preparation of the Commission's EIS and may adopt the EIS to satisfy its NEPA responsibilities related to this project. 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.

Environmental Mailing List

This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental mailing list for the project which includes federal, state, and local government representatives and agencies; local police departments and police juries; local fire departments and districts; local learning institutions; elected officials; Native American Tribes; environmental and public interest groups; other interested parties; and local libraries and media outlets. 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 comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations, and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by the proposed project. State and local government representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed project and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.

If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would like to remove your name from themailing list, please complete one of the following steps:

(1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your request. You must include the docket number CP26-547-000 in your request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure to include your name and the correct 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 2).

Additional Information

Additional information about the project is available on the FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on "General Search" and enter the docket number in the "Docket Number" field, excluding the last three digits ( i.e., CP26-547). Be sure you have selected an appropriate date range. For assistance with eLibrary, please contact FERC Online Support at [email protected] or (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.

Additionally, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.

Public sessions 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.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)

[FR Doc. 2026-17632 Filed 8-27-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6717-01-P

⁽¹⁾  For tracking purposes under the National Environmental Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating to this environmental review is EISX-019-20-000-1786695591.

⁽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." 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.

⁽³⁾  Cooperating agency responsibilities are addressed in Section 107(a)(3) of NEPA (42 U.S.C. 4336(a)(3)).

⁽⁴⁾  For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice.

⁽⁵⁾  The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's 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.

⁽⁶⁾  The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally delegated authority, that are responsible for federal authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per Title 18 Code of Federal Regulations 157.22(a), the Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a schedule is otherwise established by federal law.