[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2977-2980]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00777]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

[Release No. 34-96639; File No. SR-LTSE-2022-06]

Self-Regulatory Organizations; Long-Term Stock Exchange, Inc.;
Notice of Filing and Immediate Effectiveness of Proposed Rule Change
Related to Continuing Education Requirements

January 11, 2023.
    Pursuant to Section 19(b)(1) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the ``Act''),\1\ and Rule 19b-4 thereunder,\2\ notice is hereby given
that on December 30, 2022, Long-Term Stock Exchange, Inc. (``LTSE'' or
the ``Exchange'') filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the ``Commission'') the proposed rule change as described in Items I
and II, below, which Items have been prepared by the self-regulatory
organization. The Commission is publishing this notice to solicit
comments on the proposed rule change from interested persons.
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    \1\ 15 U.S.C. 78s(b)(1).
    \2\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4.
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I. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement of the Terms of Substance
of the Proposed Rule Change

    The Exchange is filing with the Commission a proposed rule change
to adopt new LTSE Rule 2.153 and amend LTSE Rules 2.154 and 2.160. The
proposed rule changes are based on changes made by the Financial
Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (``FINRA'') to its Continuing
Education Program \3\ (the ``CE Program'' or the ``CE Transformation
Initiative'').
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    \3\ See Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 93097 (September 21,
2021), 86 FR 53358 (September 27, 2021) (Order Approving File No.
SR-FINRA-2021-015 regarding the CE Transformation Initiative) (the
``Approval Order'').
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    The text of the proposed rule change is available at the Exchange's
website at https://longtermstockexchange.com/, at

the principal office of the Exchange, and at the Commission's Public
Reference Room.

II. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

    In its filing with the Commission, the self-regulatory organization
included statements concerning the purpose of and basis for the
proposed rule change and discussed any comments it received on the
proposed rule change. The text of these statements may be examined at
the places specified in Item IV below. The self-regulatory organization
has prepared summaries, set forth in Sections A, B, and C below, of the
most significant aspects of such statements.

A. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on the Purpose of, and
Statutory Basis for, the Proposed Rule Change

1. Purpose
    The proposed rule change incorporates the elements of the FINRA CE
Transformation Initiative that are scheduled to take effect on January
1, 2023.\4\ Specifically, those changes (i) require registered persons
to complete CE Regulatory Element \5\ annually for each representative
or principal registration category that they hold; and (ii) expressly
allow firms to consider other required training toward satisfying an
individual's annual CE Firm Element and extend the Firm Element
requirement to all registered persons.
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    \4\ See Securities Exchange Act Rel. No. 94515 (March 24, 2022),
87 FR 18419 (March 30, 2022) (Order approving SR-LTSE-2022-02
whereby LTSE adopted those elements of the FINRA CE Transformation
Initiative that were implemented on March 15, 2022).
    \5\ The terms CE Regulatory Element and CE Firm Element shall
have the same meaning as in FINRA Rule 1240.
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    The Exchange sets forth certain continuing education requirements
for persons associated with a Member which are based on certain FINRA
rules.\6\ The proposed rule change seeks to amend certain LTSE rules to
more closely mirror the corresponding FINRA rules, as amended as part
of the CE Transformation Initiative. The proposed rule change does not
make any substantive changes to LTSE rules other than those to
incorporate changes previously made by FINRA.
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    \6\ See supra note 4.
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    First, the proposed rule change would (i) adopt as new LTSE Rule
2.153, the exact provisions previously provided in LTSE Rule 2.160(m)
regarding associated persons of a Member that are not required to
register with the Exchange. The Exchange believes that relocating these
provisions into a standalone rule would more closely align the
structure of LTSE's Rule Book with FINRA's, which has the standalone
FINRA Rule 1230 (Associated Persons Exempt from Registration).
    Second, the proposed rule change would amend LTSE Rule 2.154 to
incorporate all of FINRA Rule 1240, not just the provisions that became
effective on March 15, 2022.\7\ Additionally, as part of the broader
incorporation, LTSE has added language to note that references to FINRA
Rules 1210 and 1220 are to be construed to reference the applicable
corresponding provisions of LTSE Rule 2.160. The proposed rule language
also clarifies that such references to FINRA Rules 1210 and 1210 will
not result in expansion of or changes to LTSE's registration categories
as currently provided for in Rule 2.160. The proposed rule change also
would eliminate the sentence in LTSE Rule 2.154 that states
``References to FINRA Rule 1240(a)(2) shall refer to the LTSE Rule
2.160(p)(1) (Regulatory Element)'' because it is no longer applicable.
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    \7\ Id.
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    Third, the proposed rule change would delete paragraphs (m) and (p)
from LTSE Rule 2.160. As discussed above, paragraph (m) is being
replaced by new LTSE Rule 2.153, and paragraph (p) is being replaced by
proposed LTSE Rule 2.154.\8\
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    \8\ See FINRA Rules 1210 and 1240. In FINRA Regulatory Notice
21-41 (November 17, 2021), FINRA announced the amendment of Rules
1210 and 1240, noting implementation dates, March 15, 2022 (with
respect to paragraph (c) of Rule 1240 and Supplementary Material .09
to Rule 1210); January 1, 2023 (all other rule changes).
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    Fourth, the proposed rule change would add paragraph (o) back to
LTSE Rule 2.160. The removal of this paragraph in the Exchange's prior
filing related to the CE Transformation Initiative \9\ was in error.
Reinstating paragraph (o) (Lapse of Registration and Expiration of SIE)
to LTSE Rule 2.160 aligns the Exchange's rules to FINRA Rule 1210
Supplementary Material .08 (Lapse of Registration and Expiration of
SIE), which covers substantially similar matters. The reinstated Rule
2.160 is also being proposed to include cross references to proposed
LTSE Rule 2.154 as discussed above, in keeping with FINRA Rule 1210
Supplementary Material .08's references to FINRA Rule 1240. The
Exchange believes these cross reference updates to account for
references to FINRA Rule 1240 further aligns the Exchange's rules with
the relevant FINRA rules.
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    \9\ See supra note 4.
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    Fifth, the proposed rule change updates internal LTSE rule
references to reflect changes in LTSE's rules pursuant to the proposed
rule change. Specifically, references to Rule 2.160(p) in paragraphs
(e) and (g) of Rule 2.160 and Rule 9.218(a) are being updated as
references to the proposed Rule 2.154.
    FINRA's CE Transformation Initiative is being implemented in
phases. The first phase was implemented on March 15, 2022 and provides
eligible individuals who terminate any of their representative or
principal registration categories the option of maintaining their
qualification for any terminated registration categories by completing
annual continuing education through a new program, the Maintaining
Qualifications Program (``MQP''). The first phase also provides that,
as of March 15, 2022, LTSE will not accept any new initial designations
for individuals under its Financial Services Affiliate Waiver Program
(``FSAWP'').\10\
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    \10\ Id.
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    The second phase, which is being addressed the proposed rule
change, would (i) require registered persons to complete continuing
education Regulatory Element annually for each representative or
principal registration category that they hold; and (ii) expressly
allow firms to consider other required training toward satisfying an
individual's annual continuing education Firm Element and extend the
Firm Element requirement to all registered persons. The proposed rule
change, consistent with this phase of FINRA's CE Transformation
Initiative, will be implemented January 1, 2023. These changes, as
further discussed below, are part of a larger initiative in which LTSE
is aligning the structure of its registration, continuing education and
supervision rules with those of FINRA.\11\
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    \11\ Id.
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(i) Transition to an Annual Regulatory Element for Each Registration
Category
    FINRA amended FINRA Rule 1240 under the CE Transformation
Initiative to require registered persons to complete the Regulatory
Element training of the CE Program annually by December 31. Firms,
however, would have the flexibility to require their registered persons
to complete the Regulatory Element training sooner than December 31,
which would allow firms to coordinate the timing of the Regulatory
Element with other training requirements, including the Firm
Element.\12\ FINRA Rule 1240 preserves FINRA's ability to extend the
time by

which a registered person must complete the Regulatory Element for good
cause shown if requested in writing and with supporting
documentation.\13\ Consistent with prior requirements, individuals who
fail to complete their Regulatory Element within the prescribed period
would be automatically designated as ``CE inactive'' \14\ in FINRA's
Central Registration Depository (``CRD'') system \15\ until the
requirements of the Regulatory Element have been satisfied.\16\
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    \12\ See supra note 3, at 53358.
    \13\ See FINRA Rule 1240(a)(2).
    \14\ Id.
    \15\ See https://www.finra.org/registration-exams-ce/classic-crd. As stated on its website, FINRA integrated the registration
filing functionality that supports the CRD Program into FINRA
Gateway, available at https://www.finra.org/filing-reporting/finra-gateway. The standalone CRD features were retired August 21, 2021.
    \16\ See supra note 3, at 53359.
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    As amended under the CE Transformation Initiative, FINRA Rule 1240
also tailors the content of the Regulatory Element to each registration
category. Thus, registered persons would be required to complete
content specifically designed for each representative or principal
registration category that they hold.\17\ FINRA Rule 1240 includes five
additional elements such that: (1) Individuals who are designated as CE
inactive would be required to complete all of their pending and
upcoming annual Regulatory Element, including any annual Regulatory
Element that becomes due during their CE inactive period, to return to
active status; \18\ (2) the two-year CE inactive period would be
calculated from the date individuals become CE inactive, and would
continue to run regardless of whether individuals terminate their
registrations; \19\ (3) individuals who become subject to a significant
disciplinary action may be required to complete assigned continuing
education content as prescribed by FINRA; \20\ (4) individuals who have
not completed any Regulatory Element content for a registration
category in the calendar year(s) prior to reregistering would not be
approved for registration for that category until they complete that
Regulatory Element content, pass an examination for that registration
category, or obtain an unconditional examination waiver for that
registration category, whichever is applicable; \21\ and (5) the
Regulatory Element requirements would apply to individuals who are
registered, or are in the process of registering as a representative or
principal.\22\
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    \17\ See FINRA Rules 1240(a)(1) and (a)(4).
    \18\ See supra note 3 at 53359.
    \19\ Id.
    \20\ Id.
    \21\ Id.
    \22\ Id.
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(ii) Recognition of Other Training Requirements for Firm Element and
Extension of Firm Element to All Registered Persons
    FINRA Rule 1240(b) requires a firm to develop and administer an
annual Firm Element training program for its covered registered
persons.\23\ The Firm Element must, at a minimum, include training in
ethics and professional responsibility, as well as training in the
following items concerning securities products, services, and
strategies offered by the member: (1) General investment features and
associated risk factors; (2) suitability and sales practice
considerations; and (3) applicable regulatory requirements.\24\ Firms
are required to conduct an annual needs analysis to, at minimum,
determine the appropriate Firm Element training for covered registered
persons at the firm based on the specific business of the member, and
then provide the Firm Element training annually.\25\
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    \23\ See FINRA Rule 1240(b).
    \24\ Id.
    \25\ Id.
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    As amended under the CE Transformation Initiative, FINRA Rule
1240(b) allows for recognition of the successful completion of existing
firm training programs relating to the anti-money laundering compliance
program and the annual compliance meeting toward satisfying an
individual's annual Firm Element requirement.\26\ FINRA also amended
the rule to extend the Firm Element requirement to all registered
persons, including individuals who maintain solely a permissive
registration consistent with FINRA Rule 1210.02, thereby further
aligning the Firm Element requirement with other broadly-based training
requirements.\27\ FINRA also updated the minimum training criteria
under FINRA Rule 1240(b) to provide that Firm Element training must
cover topics related to the role, activities, or responsibilities of
the registered person, as well as professional responsibility.\28\
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    \26\ See FINRA Rule 1240(b)(2)(D).
    \27\ See FINRA Rule 1240(b)(1).
    \28\ See FINRA Rule 1240(b)(2)(B).
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    To align with the changes discussed in subsections (i) and (ii)
above, proposed new LTSE Rule 2.154 states that LTSE Members and
associated persons of a Member shall comply with FINRA Rule 1240, as if
such Rule were part of the Exchange's rules.
2. Statutory Basis
    LTSE believes that its proposal is consistent with Section 6(b) of
the Act \29\ in general, and furthers the objectives of Section 6(b)(5)
of the Act,\30\ in particular, in that it is designed to prevent
fraudulent and manipulative practices, to promote just and equitable
principles of trade, to foster cooperation and coordination with
persons engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing
information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in
securities, to remove impediments to and perfect the mechanism of a
free and open market and a national market system, and, in general to
protect investors and the public interest.
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    \29\ 15 U.S.C. 78f.
    \30\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(6).
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    As noted above, the proposed rule change seeks to align the
Exchange's Rules with certain changes to FINRA rules which have been
approved by the Commission.\31\ The Exchange believes the proposed rule
change is consistent with the provisions of Section 6(b)(5) of the
Act,\32\ which requires, among other things, that Exchange Rules must
be designed to prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
to promote just and equitable principles of trade, and, in general, to
protect investors and the public interest, and Section 6(c)(3) of the
Act,\33\ which authorizes the Exchange to prescribe standards of
training, experience and competence for persons associated with the
Exchange. The proposed changes are based on the changes approved by the
Commission in the Approval Order,\34\ and the Exchange is proposing to
adopt such changes substantially in the same form proposed by FINRA
with respect to the continuing education program. The Exchange believes
the proposal is consistent with the Act for the reasons described above
and for those reasons cited in the Approval Order.\35\
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    \31\ See Approval Order, supra note 3.
    \32\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(b)(5).
    \33\ 15 U.S.C. 78f(c)(3).
    \34\ See Approval Order, supra note 3.
    \35\ Id.
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    The Exchange believes that enhancements to FINRA's CE program,
including the shift to an annual Regulatory Element should lead to
consistent, updated training, enhance a firm's regulatory compliance
and reduce a firm's overall regulatory risk because of the increased
timeliness and relevance of the more tailored content provided through
an annual training, thus facilitating overall investor protection.

B. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Burden on Competition

    The Exchange does not believe that the proposed rule change will
impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate
in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. The Exchange believes that
the proposed rule change, which harmonizes its rules with rule changes
adopted by FINRA, will reduce the regulatory burden placed on market
participants engaged in trading activities across different markets.

C. Self-Regulatory Organization's Statement on Comments on the Proposed
Rule Change Received From Members, Participants, or Others

    The Exchange neither solicited nor received comments on the
proposed rule change.

III. Date of Effectiveness of the Proposed Rule Change and Timing for
Commission Action

    Because the proposed rule change does not: (i) significantly affect
the protection of investors or the public interest; (ii) impose any
significant burden on competition; and (iii) become operative for 30
days from the date on which it was filed, or such shorter time as the
Commission may designate, it has become effective pursuant to Section
19(b)(3)(A) of the Act and Rule 19b-4(f)(6) thereunder.\36\
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    \36\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6).
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    A proposed rule change filed under Rule 19b-4(f)(6) normally does
not become operative for 30 days after the date of filing. However,
pursuant to Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii), the Commission may designate a
shorter time if such action is consistent with the protection of
investors and the public interest. The Exchange has asked the
Commission to waive the 30-day operative delay so that this proposed
rule change may become operative immediately upon filing. In addition,
Rule 19b-4(f)(6)(iii) \37\ requires a self-regulatory organization to
give the Commission written notice of its intent to file a proposed
rule change under that subsection at least five business days prior to
the date of filing, or such shorter time as designated by the
Commission. The Exchange has provided such notice.
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    \37\ 17 CFR 240.19b-4(f)(6)(iii).
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    Waiver of the 30-day operative delay will allow the Exchange to
implement the proposed changes to its continuing education and
registration rules without delay, thereby eliminating the material
differences between FINRA and Exchange continuing education rules,
providing more uniform standards across the securities industry, and
helping to avoid ongoing confusion for Exchange Members that are also
FINRA members. For this reason, the Commission believes that waiver of
the 30-day operative delay for this proposal is consistent with the
protection of investors and the public interest. Accordingly, the
Commission hereby waives the 30-day operative delay and designates the
proposal operative upon filing.\38\
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    \38\ For purposes only of waiving the 30-day operative delay,
the Commission has considered the proposed rule change's impact on
efficiency, competition, and capital formation. See 15 U.S.C.
78c(f).
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    At any time within 60 days of the filing of the proposed rule
change, the Commission summarily may temporarily suspend such rule
change if it appears to the Commission that such action is necessary or
appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or
otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of the Act. If the Commission
takes such action, the Commission shall institute proceedings to
determine whether the proposed rule change should be approved or
disapproved.

IV. Solicitation of Comments

    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views and
arguments concerning the foregoing, including whether the proposed rule
change is consistent with the Act. Comments may be submitted by any of
the following methods:

Electronic Comments

     Use the Commission's internet comment form (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml); or
     Send an email to [email protected]. Please include
File Number SR-LTSE-2022-06 on the subject line.

Paper Comments

     Send paper comments in triplicate to Vanessa Countryman,
Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE,
Washington, DC 20549.

All submissions should refer to File Number SR-LTSE-2022-06. This file
number should be included on the subject line if email is used. To help
the Commission process and review your comments more efficiently,
please use only one method. The Commission will post all comments on
the Commission's internet website (http://www.sec.gov/rules/sro.shtml).
Copies of the submission, all subsequent amendments, all written
statements with respect to the proposed rule change that are filed with
the Commission, and all written communications relating to the proposed
rule change between the Commission and any person, other than those
that may be withheld from the public in accordance with the provisions
of 5 U.S.C. 552, will be available for website viewing and printing in
the Commission's Public Reference Room, 100 F Street NE, Washington, DC
20549 on official business days between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and
3:00 p.m. Copies of the filing also will be available for inspection
and copying at the principal office of LTSE and on its internet website
at https://longtermstockexchange.com/.
    All comments received will be posted without change; the Commission
does not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You
should submit only information that you wish to make available
publicly. All submissions should refer to File Number SR-LTSE-2022-06
and should be submitted on or before February 8, 2023.

    For the Commission, by the Division of Trading and Markets,
pursuant to delegated authority.\39\
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    \39\ 17 CFR 200.30-3(a)(12).
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Sherry R. Haywood,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2023-00777 Filed 1-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P


[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 26 (Wednesday, February 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8268-8272]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02639]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

[Docket Nos. CP17-66-001, CP17-67-001]

Venture Global Plaquemines LNG, LLC; Gator Express Pipeline, LLC;
Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues
and Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental
Assessment for the Proposed Plaquemines LNG Amendment

    The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or
Commission) will prepare an environmental assessment (EA), that will
discuss the environmental impacts of the Venture Global Plaquemines
LNG, LLC (Plaquemines LNG) Amendment (Amendment). If authorized, the
Amendment would allow additional workspace (a parking/laydown area) and
increase both the traffic volume and work week/hour limits associated
with the construction of its terminal in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana
from that analyzed in the final Environmental Impact Statement for the
Plaquemines LNG Project (Docket Nos. CP17-66-000 and CP17-67-000),
which the Commission authorized on September 30, 2019. The proposed
Amendment would increase construction to 24 hours per day and 7 days a
week for select activities at the Plaquemines LNG Terminal. The
Commission will use the EA in its decision-making process to determine
whether the Amendment is in the public interest.
    This notice announces the opening of the scoping process the
Commission will use to gather input from the public and interested
agencies regarding the Amendment. As part of the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) review process, the Commission takes into account
concerns the public may have about proposals and the environmental
impacts that could result from its action whenever it considers the
issuance of an authorization. This gathering of public input is
referred to as ``scoping.'' The main goal of the scoping process is to
focus the analysis in the EA on the important environmental issues.
Additional information about the Commission's NEPA process is described
below in the NEPA Process section of this notice.
    By this notice, the Commission requests public comments on the
scope of issues to address in the EA. To ensure that your comments are
timely and properly recorded, please submit your comments so that the
Commission receives them in Washington, DC on or before 5:00 p.m.
Eastern Time on March 6, 2023. Comments may be submitted in written
form. Further details on how to submit comments are provided in the
Public Participation section of this notice.
    Your comments should focus on the potential environmental effects,
reasonable alternatives, and measures to avoid or lessen environmental
impacts. Your input will help the Commission staff determine what
issues they need to evaluate in the EA. Commission staff will consider
all written comments during the preparation of the EA.
    This notice is being sent to the Commission's current environmental
mailing list for this Amendment. State and local government
representatives should notify their constituents of this proposed
Amendment and encourage them to comment on their areas of concern.

Public Participation

    There are three methods you can use to submit your comments to the
Commission. Please carefully follow these instructions so that your
comments are properly recorded. The Commission encourages electronic
filing of comments and has staff available to assist you at (866) 208-
3676 or [email protected].
    (1) You can file your comments electronically using the eComment
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. Using eComment is an easy method for
submitting brief, text-only comments on a project;
    (2) You can file your comments electronically by using the eFiling
feature, which is located on the Commission's website (www.ferc.gov)
under the link to FERC Online. With eFiling, you can provide comments
in a variety of formats by attaching them as a file with your
submission. New eFiling users must first create an account by clicking
on ``eRegister.'' You will be asked to select the type of filing you
are making; a comment on a particular project is considered a ``Comment
on a Filing''; or
    (3) You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to
the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (CP17-
66-001) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service
must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC
20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to:
Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission,
12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
    The FERC website (www.ferc.gov) includes additional information on
how to participate in the Commission's proceedings along with other
stakeholder topics of interest under the Natural Gas, Landowner Topics
link. The Commission also offers a free service called eSubscription
which makes it easy to stay informed of all issuances and submittals
regarding the dockets/projects to which you subscribe. These instant
email notifications are the fastest way to receive notification and
provide a link to the document files which can reduce the amount of
time you spend researching proceedings. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription.

Summary of the Proposed Amendment

    Plaquemines LNG proposes to increase the peak workforce from its
current 3,600 personnel up to 6,000 personnel per day, increase traffic
volumes, and implement a 24-hours-per-day, 7-days-per-week construction
schedule for select activities. In addition, Plaquemines LNG is seeking
approval for an additional 50-acre parking/laydown area referred to as
the State Highway (SH) 23 Yard. Plaquemines LNG indicates that the SH23
Yard is required to accommodate the parking and laydown needs
associated with the increase in construction workforce. Plaquemines LNG
anticipates completing the Plaquemines LNG Project in 2025.\1\
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    \1\ On October 20, 2022, pursuant to Environmental Condition No.
1 of the Authorization Order, Plaquemines LNG requested a variance
to extend the nighttime construction activities evaluated in the
Final Environmental Impact Statement (FERC, 2019) for a 12-month
period (FERC Accession No. 20221020-5080). This variance is pending
before the Commission and will be addressed in the Amendment EA.
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    The general location of the Plaquemines LNG Project facilities is
shown in appendix 1.\2\
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    \2\ The appendices referenced in this notice will not appear in
the Federal Register. Copies of the appendices were sent to all
those receiving this notice in the mail and are available at
www.ferc.gov using the link called ``eLibrary''. For instructions on
connecting to eLibrary, refer to the last page of this notice. At
this time, the Commission has suspended access to the Commission's
Public Reference Room due to the proclamation declaring a National
Emergency concerning the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19),
issued by the President on March 13, 2020. For assistance, contact
FERC at [email protected] or call toll free,<PHONE_NUMBER>
or TTY<PHONE_NUMBER>.
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Land Requirements for Construction

    The request does not involve the construction of any new facilities
nor any modification of the previously authorized facilities at the
Plaquemines LNG Terminal site. New land requirements would be limited
to the 50-acre parking/laydown area at the proposed SH23 Yard. The
proposed scope of work for site development includes the placement of
fill material to raise the SH23 Yard by 4 feet and application of
crushed stone or gravel to facilitate parking. The SH23 Yard would also
require new driveway connections to SH23.

NEPA Process

    The EA issued by the Commission will discuss impacts that could
occur as a result of the proposed Amendment under the relevant general
resource areas:
     geology and soils;
     water resources and wetlands;
     vegetation and wildlife;
     threatened and endangered species;
     cultural resources;
     land use and visual resources;
     socioeconomics and traffic;
     environmental justice; and
     air quality and noise.
    Commission staff will also evaluate reasonable alternatives to the
proposed Amendment or portions of the Amendment and make
recommendations on how to lessen or avoid impacts on the various
resource areas. Your comments will help Commission staff identify and
focus on the issues that might have an effect on the human environment
and potentially eliminate others from further study and discussion in
the EA.
    Following this scoping period, Commission staff will prepare an EA
to present Commission staff's independent analysis of the issues. The
EA may be issued for an allotted public comment period. The Commission
would consider timely comments on the EA before making its decision
regarding the proposed Amendment. The EA will be available in
electronic format in the public record through eLibrary \3\ and the
Commission's natural gas environmental documents web page (https://www.ferc.gov/industries-data/natural-gas/environment/environmental-documents). If eSubscribed, you will receive instant email notification
when the environmental document is issued.
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    \3\ For instructions on connecting to eLibrary, refer to the
last page of this notice.
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    With this notice, the Commission is asking agencies with
jurisdiction by law and/or special expertise with respect to the
environmental issues of this Amendment to formally cooperate in the
preparation of the EA.\4\ Agencies that would like to request
cooperating agency status should follow the instructions for filing
comments provided under the Public Participation section of this
notice.
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    \4\ The Council on Environmental Quality regulations addressing
cooperating agency responsibilities are at Title 40, Code of Federal
Regulations, Section 1501.8.
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Consultation Under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation
Act

    In accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's
implementing regulations for section 106 of the National Historic
Preservation Act, the Commission is using this notice to initiate
consultation with the applicable State Historic Preservation Office(s),
and to solicit their views and those of other government agencies,
interested Indian tribes, and the public on the Amendment's potential
effects on

historic properties.\5\ The EA for this Amendment will document
findings on the impacts on historic properties and summarize the status
of consultations under section 106.
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    \5\ The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations
are at Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 800. Those
regulations define historic properties as any prehistoric or
historic district, site, building, structure, or object included in
or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic
Places.
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Schedule for Environmental Review

    On January 6, 2023, the Commission issued its Notice of Application
for the Amendment. 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 Amendment.
    This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an
EA for the Amendment and the planned schedule for the completion of the
environmental review.\6\
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    \6\ 40 CFR 1501.10 (2020).

Issuance of EA--May 19, 2023
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline \7\--August 17, 2023
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    \7\ The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other
federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally
delegated authority, that are responsible for federal
authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed
projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the
Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a
schedule is otherwise established by federal law.

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

Environmental Mailing List

    The environmental mailing list includes federal, state, and local
government representatives and agencies; elected officials;
environmental and public interest groups; Native American Tribes; other
interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. This list also
includes all affected landowners (as defined in the Commission's
regulations) who are potential right-of-way grantors, whose property
may be used temporarily for project purposes, or who own homes within
certain distances of aboveground facilities, and anyone who submits
comments on the Amendment and includes a mailing address with their
comments. Commission staff will update the environmental mailing list
as the analysis proceeds to ensure that Commission notices related to
this environmental review are sent to all individuals, organizations,
and government entities interested in and/or potentially affected by
the proposed Amendment.
    If you need to make changes to your name/address, or if you would
like to remove your name from the mailing list, please complete one of
the following steps:
    (1) Send an email to [email protected] stating your
request. You must include the docket number CP17-66-001 in your
request. If you are requesting a change to your address, please be sure
to include your name and the correct address. If you are requesting to
delete your address from the mailing list, please include your name and
address as it appeared on this notice. This email address is unable to
accept comments.
    OR
    (2) Return the attached ``Mailing List Update Form'' (appendix 2).

Additional Information

    Additional information about the Amendment is available from the
Commission's Office of External Affairs, at (866) 208-FERC, or on the
FERC website at www.ferc.gov using the eLibrary link. Click on the
eLibrary link, click on ``General Search'' and enter the docket number
in the ``Docket Number'' field. Be sure you have selected an
appropriate date range. For assistance, please contact FERC Online
Support at [email protected] or<PHONE_NUMBER>, or for TTY,
contact<PHONE_NUMBER>. The eLibrary link also provides access to the
texts of all formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders,
notices, and rulemakings.
    Public sessions or site visits will be posted on the Commission's
calendar located at https://www.ferc.gov/news-events/events along with
other related information.

    Dated: February 2, 2023.
Kimberly D. Bose,
Secretary.
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Appendix 1
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08FE23.000

Appendix 2
[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08FE23.001

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TN08FE23.002

[FR Doc. 2023-02639 Filed 2-7-23; 8:45 am]
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