On June 5, 2026, Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company, L.L.C. (TGP) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-540-000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities in Brooks and Nueces Counties, Texas. The proposed project is known as the South Texas Enhancement Project and would provide about 319,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas from existing receipt points in Hidalgo, Starr and Jim Wells Counties to the Agua Dulce area in Nueces County.

On June 18, 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—December 18, 2026 ( printed page 58672)

90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline ^[2] —March 18, 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

TGP proposes to construct and operate a 1.54-mile-long, 30-inch-diameter, natural gas transmission pipeline and modify three existing meter stations in Nueces County TX. TGP also proposes to construct a new 15,900-horsepower compressor station and associated facilities/equipment in Brooks County, Texas, and other appurtenance facilities along TGP's pipeline system.

Background

On July 16, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed South Texas Enhancement 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 two federal agencies and one potentially affected landowner. After the close of the scoping period, we received comments from one state agency and a non-governmental organization. The US Army Corps of Engineers recommended the applicant conduct a delineation of waters to determine if Clean Water Act permitting is required. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommended that the environmental document address water quality and quantity, groundwater, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit coverage, impaired waters, ambient air conditions and air quality, and solid and hazardous waste generated. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality recommended compliance with applicable regulations and Best Management Practices implementation. The Water Protector Legal Collective requested preparation of a project environmental impact statement rather than EA to evaluate alternatives, an evaluation of air quality effects and greenhouse gas emissions, pipeline safety issues, cumulative impacts, the public need of the project, and complete Tribal Consultation and cultural resource review. One landowner submitted comments expressing concerns that the pipeline project would cause safety and encroachment issues on her property. 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., CP26-540), 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)