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On January 29, 2026, Transwestern Pipeline Company, LLC (Transwestern) filed a prior notice application in Docket No. CP26-80-000, pursuant to ( printed page 47828) sections 157.205, 157.208, and 157.211 of the Commission's regulations under the Natural Gas Act (NGA), and Transwestern's blanket certificate issued in Docket No. CP82-534-000, requesting authorization to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. The proposed project is known as the Green Chile Project (Project) and would be capable of delivering up to 400,000 dekatherms per day of natural gas from a point of receipt located on the existing El Paso Natural Gas Company, L.L.C. pipeline system to a point of delivery with Green Chile Ventures, LLC (GCV). According to Transwestern, the Project is designed to meet GCV's demand for natural gas that would be used for power generation by a new artificial intelligence/data center campus.
On April 13, 2026, Commission staff protested the prior notice request because Transwestern did not provide a copy of a finding by the New Mexico State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) of “no historic properties” or “no historic properties affected.” Staff explained that this documentation is necessary to demonstrate the project's compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), as required under the Commission's regulations at sections 157.206(b)(3)(ii) and 157.208(c)(9) and Appendix II of subpart F.[1] Staff explained that without this documentation, environmental concerns cannot be adequately addressed before the protest period expired on May 13, 2026. Transwestern did not file the documentation by the deadline (or subsequently), and therefore Transwestern's prior notice request will proceed as an application for case-specific authorization under section 7 of the NGA.[2]
This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the Project, the planned schedule for the completion of the environmental review,[3] and the 90-day federal authorization decision deadline. The EA will be issued for a 30-day comment period.
Issuance of EA—September 4, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline [4] —December 3, 2026
If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the Project's progress.
Transwestern proposes to construct and operate approximately 17.8 miles of 24-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline and associated facilities in Doña Ana County, New Mexico. Transwestern would also construct the Green Chile El Paso Meter & Regulation Station (receipt point) and the Green Chile Meter & Regulation Station (delivery point).
In response to the Commission's February 10, 2026 Notice of Request Under Blanket Authorization and Establishing Intervention and Protest Deadline, the Commission received comments from several individuals, Hold the Line Campaign, Public Citizen, Inc., Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Food & Water Watch, and the Oracle Corporation. The primary issues raised concern siting permissions and easements, air quality, cultural resources, water resources, wildlife, cumulative effects, and the non-jurisdictional artificial intelligence/data center campus. All substantive comments pertaining to the Project will be addressed in the EA. The Bureau of Land Management is a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA.
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 https://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., CP26-80), 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)
Dated: July 24, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.
1. 18 CFR 157.206(b)(3)(ii), 157.208(c)(9), App. II (2025).
Back to Citation2. 18 CFR 157.205(f) (2025).
Back to Citation3. For tracking purposes under the National Environmental Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1781096872.
Back to Citation4. 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.
Back to Citation[FR Doc. 2026-15286 Filed 7-28-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6717-01-P