MCLENNAN COUNTY, Texas — The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is proposing two years of construction through Central Texas to put in a natural gas pipeline. It's known as the DeLa Express Project.
The commission has entered a new phase of the proposal. The National Environmental Policy Act requires them to get public input about the plan, and its potential environmental impact. This phase is called "scoping", according to their notice.
There are four ways to give input to the commission:
- You can file your comments electronically using the eComment feature, which is located on the commission's website under the link to FERC Online.
- You can file your comments electronically using the eFiling feature, which is located on the commission's website 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”.
- You can file a paper copy of your comments by mailing them to the Commission. Be sure to reference the project docket number (PF24-4-000) on your letter. Submissions sent via the U.S. Postal Service must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street NE, Room 1A, Washington, DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other carrier must be addressed to: Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Acting Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
- You can tell the Commission in person by attending one of the public scoping sessions its staff will conduct in the project area.
Here's the schedule for the public scoping sessions in Central Texas:
- Monday, Sept. 16 - 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Kurten Community Center, 13055 E. State Highway 21, Kurten, TX 77862
- Tuesday, Sept. 17 - 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Westphalia Parish Hall, 114 County Road 3000, Lott, TX 76656
- Wednesday, Sept. 18 - 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Windmill Hill Venue, 1808 Bridge Street, Gatesville, TX 76528
All comments made in-person will be recorded.
Construction will take place in Mills, Hamilton, Coryell, McLennan, Falls, Bell, Robertson, Brazos, Milam, and Grimes Counties. It's set to start in 2026 and end in 2028, according to the notice.
The commission tells land owners the company responsible for the project might ask to buy areas of land needed to build and maintain the pipeline. Land owners don't have to make an agreement with the company. If they don't, the company will be given the right of eminent domain. Then the price paid for the land to the land owner will be determined by a judge. You can find FAQs about that process here.
You can read the entire notice here.