Final Environmental Impact Statement Magnolia Liquefied Natural Gas Production Capacity Amendment Project 2020

The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared a final supplemental environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Magnolia LNG Production Capacity Amendment proposed by Magnolia LNG, LLC (Magnolia LNG).

Magnolia LNG requests authorization pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA) to increase the liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity of the previously authorized Magnolia LNG Project in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (Docket No. CP14-347-000) from 8 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 8.8 MTPA. The increased production capacity would be achieved through the optimization of Magnolia LNG’s final design, including additional and modified process equipment. All new or reconfigured facilities would be within the footprint of the authorized Magnolia LNG terminal site.

The final supplemental EIS was prepared in compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Council on Environmental Quality regulations for implementing NEPA in 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 1500–1508 (40 CFR 1500-1508), and FERC regulations implementing NEPA (18 CFR 380). The U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (USDOT PHMSA) participated as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the supplemental EIS.

FERC staff conducted a preliminary engineering and technical review of the proposed changes associated with the Production Capacity Amendment. With the incorporation of the mitigation measures identified in the supplemental EIS, staff concludes the LNG terminal design would include acceptable layers of protection or safeguards that would reduce the risk of potentially hazardous scenarios from developing into an event that could impact the offsite public. USDOT PHMSA will issue a Letter of Determination regarding the facilities’ compliance with siting requirements for LNG facilities in 49 CFR 193 Subpart B. In addition, the facilities would be subject to the USDOT PHMSA’s inspection and enforcement program. FERC staff concludes that the modifications associated with the Production Capacity Amendment, with the additional mitigation measures recommended in the supplemental EIS, would continue to avoid or reduce impacts to less than significant levels.

The FERC Commissioners will take into consideration staff’s recommendations when they make a decision on the project.

FEIS