On June 17, 2026, Steel Reef Pipelines US LLC filed an application in Docket No. CP26-545-000 requesting authorization pursuant to Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) and Part 153 of the Commission's regulations to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the Flat Lake Access Pipeline Project (Project) and would export up to 80 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) of sour natural gas from Steel Reef's existing compressor station near Fortuna, North Dakota to the Flat Lake Gas Plant in Saskatchewan, Canada, and import approximately 6 MMcf/d of fuel gas to supply the compressor station.

On June 30, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application 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] The EA will be issued for a 30-day comment period.

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA—January 6, 2027

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline ^[2] —April 6, 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

The Project will consist of a 0.65-mile-long, 10-inch-diameter main export line designed to transport up to 80 MMcf/d for the gathering and export of sour natural gas from North Dakota to the Flat Lake Gas Plant in Canada, as well as a parallel 0.65-mile-long, 6-inch-diameter fuel return line designed to transport approximately 6 MMcf/d of fuel gas imported from the Flat Lake Gas Plant. The border crossing facilities will be located entirely within North Dakota and terminate at the international boundary with Canada.

Background

On July 22, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Flat Lake Access 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. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission received a letter from the North Dakota State Historical Society stating it had no comment on the Project.

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 ( printed page 58115) 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 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., CP26-545), 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)