On April 1, 2026, Texas Eastern Transmission, LP (Texas Eastern) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-175-000 requesting an Authorization pursuant to Section 7(b) and 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to abandon by removal four existing 8,000 horsepower turbine units and associated infrastructure and to install two 20,470 horsepower new Solar Titan 130 turbine units and related ancillary equipment. The new units would be installed in a new compressor building within the fenceline of the existing Athens Compressor Station located in Athens County, Ohio. The project would expand compression facilities to provide an additional 50,000 dekatherms per day (Dth/d) of incremental firm natural gas transportation capacity on Texas Eastern's pipeline system to serve Kentucky Utilities.

On April 14, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application (NOA) for the project. Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's environmental document for the project.

This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the project and the planned schedule for the completion of the environmental review.^[1]

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA—November 6, 2026

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline ^[2] —February 4, 2027

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

Project Description

Texas Eastern is proposing to abandon by removal four existing natural gas General Electric Frame 3 turbine units and associated infrastructure and install two new 20,470 horsepower Solar Titan 130 turbine units and related ancillary equipment. The project involves a new ( printed page 46909) compressor building, abandoning-in-place a large bore main gas pipeline; constructing one service entrance building, one electrical control building, one warehouse building (to house spare parts and tooling); a gravel access loop road, and a graveled parking area. Furthermore, one existing generator building will be re-purposed as a switchgear building.

Background

On May 13, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Athens Optimization Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. The Commission received one comment from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regarding federally threatened and endangered species in response to the Notice of Availability and one landowner requesting verification that noise levels would not be exceeded. Additionally, the Commission received comments from The Children's Trust along with three comments in support of the project. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA.

Additional Information

In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, 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.

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 OPP@ferc.gov.

Additional information about the project is available from the FERC website ( www.ferc.gov). Using the “eLibrary” link, select “General Search” from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and “Docket Number” excluding the last three digits ( i.e., CP26-175), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings.

(Authority: 18 CFR 2.1)