Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. and Cheniere Sabine Pass Pipeline Company; Notice of Applications

Take notice that on December 22, 2003, Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. (Sabine LNG) filed an application seeking authorization to site, construct and operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal located near Sabine Pass Channel, Louisiana. The LNG terminal will provide LNG tanker terminal services to third party shippers who would be importing LNG. Sabine LNG made the request to site, construct and operate the LNG terminal pursuant to Section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act and part 153 of the Commission's regulations. Sabine LNG also requests the approval of the Sabine Pass LNG terminal as the place of entry for the imported LNG supplies (Docket No. CP04-47-000).

Also take notice that on December 22, 2003, Cheniere Sabine Pass Pipeline Company (Cheniere Sabine) filled an application seeking a certificate of public convenience and necessity, pursuant to Section 7(c) of the NGA and part 157, Subpart A of the Commission's Regulations, to construct and operate a 120 mile pipeline and related facilities to transport natural gas on an open access basis (Docket No. CP04-38-000). Cheniere Sabine is an affiliate of Sabine LNG. Also, in Docket No. CP04-39-000, Cheniere Sabine requests a blanket certificate under Section 7(c) of the NGA and part 157, Subpart F of the Commission's regulations to perform routine activities in connection with the future construction, operation and maintenance of the proposed 120 mile pipeline. Finally, Cheniere Sabine requested authorization in Docket No. CP04-40-000 to provide the natural gas transportation services on a firm and interruptible basis pursuant to Section 7(c) of the NGA and part 284 of the Commission's Regulations.

These applications are on file with the Commission and open to public inspection. These filings are 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 “eLibrary” link. Enter the docket number excluding the last three digits in the docket number field to access the document. For assistance, please contact FERC Online Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov or toll free at (866) 208-3676, or for TTY, contact (202) 502-8659. Any initial questions regarding these applications should be directed to Keith M. Meyer, 333 Clay Street, Suite 3400, Houston, Texas. Phone: (713) 659-1361.

Cheniere Sabine will conduct a 30-day open season in January 2004 for the purpose of obtaining binding commitments for firm transportation capacity. Cheniere Sabine says that the construction and operation of its pipeline will enable new competitively priced supplies of natural gas imported through the Sabine Pass LNG terminal to reach markets all across the U.S.

Cheniere has provided the minimal amount of cultural resources information necessary for staff to begin the traditional scoping process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For projects such as this one that use the traditional authorization process, a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is typically issued for public comment about 8 to 10 months from the filing date of the application. However, the Commission staff can complete and issue the DEIS only after the remaining cultural resources information is submitted.

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 below listed comment date, 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 with the Commission and must mail a copy to the applicant and to every other party in the proceeding. 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.

Motions to intervene, protests and comments 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: January 23, 2004.