The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission today issued this letter to Trans-Pecos Pipeline giving permission to the company to construct the pipeline under the Rio Grande River:
To: Mr. Kelly Allen Manager Regulatory Affairs Department Trans-Pecos Pipeline, LLC 1300 Main Street Houston, Texas 77002 Re: Notice to Proceed with Construction, and Variance for Horizontal Directional Drilling Entry/Exit Locations – Presidio Border Crossing Project Dear Mr. Kelly: I grant your July 22, 2016 request for Trans-Pecos Pipeline, LLC (Trans-Pecos) to begin construction of the Presidio Border Crossing Project (Project). This authorization is based on our review of Trans-Pecos May 18, 2016 Implementation Plan, and supplemental information filed on July 14, 2016, and in compliance with the necessary pre-construction conditions of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s May 5, 2015 Order Issuing Presidential Permit and Granting Authorization Under Section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (Order). In addition, I have confirmed the receipt of all federal authorizations relevant to the Project including the International Boundary & Water Commission permit issued July 1, 2016. I remind you that Trans-Pecos may not clear vegetation prior to September 1, 2016 to avoid impacts on migratory birds, in compliance with Environmental Condition No. 1 of the Order. In compliance with Environmental Condition No. 5 of the Order, on July 22, 2016 Trans-Pecos filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission a request to reverse the locations of the exit and entry points for the Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) under the Rio Grande River. Trans-Pecos now proposes to locate the entry point of its HDD in Mexico and drill to the United States side of the Rio Grande River with its exit point within previously approved work space. We have reviewed the revised HDD alignment sheets filed on July 22, 2016 and confirm that no changes would occur to the work space approved by the Order. We approve Trans-Pecos’s variance request. If you have any questions, please call Anthony Rana, Project Manager, at (202) 502-8224. Sincerely, Shannon Jones Chief, Gas Branch 1 Division of Gas – Environment and Engineering cc: Public File, Docket No. CP15-500-000
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