On May 28, 2026, Northern Natural Gas Company (Northern) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-534-000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to ( printed page 58667) Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities. The proposed project is known as the Permian Basin Expansion Project (Project) and would provide about 361,600 dekatherms per day of firm natural gas transportation service to a new natural gas-fired generation facility located in Gaines County, Texas.

On June 9, 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]

Schedule for Environmental Review

Issuance of EA—February 19, 2027

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline ^[2] —May 20, 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

Northern proposes to construct and operate approximately 16.2 miles of interstate, natural gas transmission pipeline and associated facilities, and a new compressor station, in Lea County, New Mexico and Gaines County, Texas. Northern also proposes to modify facilities within the fence line of the existing Plains Compressor Station in Yoakum County, Texas.

Background

On July 8, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Permian Basin Expansion 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 comments from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Laborer's International Union of North America. Generally, the EPA recommended that the environmental document address water quality and quantity, floodplains, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit coverage, impaired waters, tribal coordination, Endangered Species Act, ambient air conditions and air quality, solid and hazardous waste generated, and compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. The Laborer's International Union stated that the environmental document address their concerns on the shortage of skilled labor in the local area. 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 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., CP26-534), 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)