Overview
Title
East Cheyenne Gas Storage, LLC; Notice of Application and Establishing Intervention Deadline
Agencies
ELI5 AI
East Cheyenne Gas Storage wants to make changes to how much gas it can keep underground in Colorado, and it's asking for permission to do this. People can say what they think about these changes until April 2, 2025, using the internet or mail.
Summary AI
East Cheyenne Gas Storage, LLC has filed an application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeking approval to change the gas storage capacity at the West Peetz and Lewis Creek fields in Colorado. The proposal involves decreasing the working gas capacity from 22.5 billion cubic feet to 12.5 billion cubic feet, increasing the base gas capacity, and reducing the maximum daily injection/withdrawal rate. FERC is inviting public comments, protests, and motions to intervene in this proceeding, with a deadline for participation set for April 2, 2025. Interested parties can engage with the process through the FERC website or by mail, with detailed instructions provided for filing comments or interventions.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The recent application notice from East Cheyenne Gas Storage, LLC, as published by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), outlines significant proposed changes to gas storage capacities at specific fields in Colorado. The notice invites public participation, including comments, protests, and motions to intervene, with a deadline set for April 2, 2025. The procedural framework outlined is both complex and essential for stakeholders who may be impacted by these changes.
General Summary
East Cheyenne is seeking FERC's approval to alter gas storage dynamics at the West Peetz and Lewis Creek fields. Notably, the working gas capacity is planned to decrease from 22.5 billion cubic feet (Bcf) to 12.5 Bcf. Meanwhile, base gas capacity would increase, and the daily injection/withdrawal rates would be reduced. These changes are intended to reflect the current physical conditions of the facilities.
Significant Issues or Concerns
The application notice is laden with technical and regulatory jargon, referencing specific sections of federal regulations that may be obscure to the general public. The document does not directly address how these proposed changes could affect natural gas pricing or availability, which might be of significant concern to consumers. Additionally, while various methods to submit comments or engage with the proceedings are offered, there remains a digital divide challenge; the reliance on internet-based processes could disadvantage those lacking reliable internet access.
There are significant procedural hurdles and complexities related to intervening or commenting on the proposal, which may deter participation by those unfamiliar with regulatory processes. Moreover, the lack of a straightforward summary regarding the environmental or community impacts could limit effective public engagement and understanding.
Impact on the Public
The changes proposed by East Cheyenne could have broad implications for local consumers and industries relying on natural gas. If approved, a reduction in storage capacity might affect the stability or cost of gas supplies, although the document does not provide details on potential economic or environmental impacts.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For local communities in Colorado, particularly those near the West Peetz and Lewis Creek fields, there may be concerns about how alterations in gas storage might impact local economies and land usage. However, the absence of a detailed environmental review or community impact assessment at this stage leaves these implications unclear.
Energy firms and regulators stand to be directly involved, especially in ensuring compliance with evolving infrastructure demands and regulatory standards. Legal and regulatory experts will likely play a pivotal role in guiding public commenters and intervenors through the procedural intricacies.
Conclusion
In sum, while the document establishes a procedural pathway for public engagement, it simultaneously presents challenges due to its complexity and lack of clarity on potential community and economic impacts. Stakeholders and members of the public affected by these changes should deliberate carefully on the available information, possibly seeking expert guidance to navigate the engagement process effectively.
Issues
• The document outlines the process and deadlines for intervention, comments, and protests in a complex manner, potentially making it difficult for the general public to understand or navigate the process.
• The language used in the regulatory references, such as 18 CFR 157.9 and 18 CFR 385.211, may not be easily understood by an individual without legal or regulatory expertise.
• There could be an issue of accessibility for some individuals due to reliance on internet access for eFiling and eComment, which might disadvantage those without reliable internet service.
• The notice provides detailed procedural instructions but does not include an easily digestible summary of the potential impacts of the proposed changes on local communities or the environment.
• There is a potential concern with the capacity reduction and changes in injection/withdrawal rates, but the document does not clarify how this aligns with current supply and demand or future needs.
• The document does not address whether the changes in gas storage capacity and rates might lead to changes in pricing or availability of natural gas for consumers.
• The contact information and support available are listed, but it may not be clear to an average person how these contacts provide meaningful assistance for the specific project's technicalities and legal processes.