E9-3692. Pine Prairie Energy Center, LLC; Notice of Application

February 12, 2009.

Take notice that on February 6, 2009, Pine Prairie Energy Center, LLC (Pine Prairie), 333 Clay Street, Houston, TX 77002, filed with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission) an abbreviated application pursuant to section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), as amended, and part 157 of the Commission's regulations for authorization to: (1) Develop two additional natural gas storage caverns, each having a capacity of 12.8 Bcf; (2) increase the working gas capacity of two of the three authorized natural gas storage caverns from 8 Bcf to 10 Bcf; (3) construct, own and operate one additional raw water withdrawal well and one additional saltwater disposal well; (4) construct, own, operate and maintain 5.3 miles of 24-inch diameter natural gas pipeline loop; and (5) install six incremental compression units totaling 34,800 horsepower. If approved, the proposal would bring the total number of authorized caverns at the Pine Prairie facility in Evangeline Parish, Louisiana to five with a total working gas capacity of 48 Bcf and total cushion gas of 12.8 Bcf among the five caverns. In addition to the proposed expansion of facilities, Pine Prairie seeks reaffirmation of its authorization to charge market-based rates for its storage and hub services.

Any questions concerning this application should be directed to James F. Bowe, Jr., Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, 1101 New York Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20005, 202-346-8000 (phone) 202-346-8102 (fax), [e-mail].

Pursuant to section 157.9 of the Commission's rules, 18 CFR 157.9, within 90 days of this Notice the Commission staff will either complete its environmental assessment (EA) and place it into the Commission's public record (eLibrary) for this proceeding; or issue a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review. If a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review is issued, it will indicate, among other milestones, the anticipated date for the Commission staff's issuance of the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) or EA for this proposal. The filing of the EA in the Commission's public record for this proceeding or the issuance of a Notice of Schedule for Environmental Review will serve to notify federal and state agencies of the timing for the completion of all necessary reviews, and the subsequent need to complete all federal authorizations within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's FEIS or EA.

This filing is available for review at the Commission in the Public Reference Room or may be viewed on the Commission's Web site at http://www.ferc.gov using the “e-Library” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, contact FERC at [e-mail] or call toll-free, [phone], or for TTY, [phone].

There are two ways to become involved in the Commission's review of this project. First, any person wishing to obtain legal status by becoming a party to the proceedings for this project should, on or before the comment date stated below file with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 888 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20426, a motion to intervene in accordance with the requirements of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (18 CFR 385.214 or 385.211) and the Regulations under the NGA (18 CFR 157.10). A person obtaining party status will be placed on the service list maintained by the Secretary of the Commission and will receive copies of all documents filed by the applicant and by all other parties. A party must submit 14 copies of filings made in the proceeding with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party. Only parties to the proceeding can ask for court review of Commission orders in the proceeding.

However, a person does not have to intervene in order to have comments considered. The second way to participate is by filing with the Secretary of the Commission, as soon as possible, an original and two copies of comments in support of or in opposition to this project. The Commission will consider these comments in determining the appropriate action to be taken, but the filing of a comment alone will not serve to make the filer a party to the proceeding. The Commission's rules require that persons filing comments in opposition to the project provide copies of their protests only to the party or parties directly involved in the protest.

Persons who wish to comment only on the environmental review of this project should submit an original and two copies of their comments to the Secretary of the Commission. Environmental commenters will be placed on the Commission's environmental mailing list, will receive copies of the environmental documents, and will be notified of meetings associated with the Commission's environmental review process. Environmental commenters will not be required to serve copies of filed documents on all other parties. However, the non-party commenters will not receive copies of all documents filed by other parties or issued by the Commission (except for the mailing of environmental documents issued by the Commission) and will not have the right to seek court review of the Commission's final order.

Protests and interventions may be filed electronically via the Internet in lieu of paper; see, 18 CFR 385.2001(a)(1)(iii) and the instructions on the Commission's Web site under the “e-Filing” link. The Commission strongly encourages electronic filings.

Comment Date: March 5, 2009.

Kimberly D. Bose,

Secretary.