BLM releases Final Environmental Impact Statement for major Wyoming natural gas project
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The Bureau of Land Management in Wyoming has taken the next step in providing responsible energy development on America’s public lands by releasing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Normally Pressured Lance (NPL) Natural Gas Development Project. The FEIS is not a decision document, but one will be issued 30 days after the FEIS’s release.
In keeping with the Department’s goal of energy independence, if approved, the NPL project could unlock up to 7 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas providing a reliable energy source for America. The proposed project could also create approximately 950 jobs during the development phase and generate $17.85 billion in total project revenues with Federal royalties amounting to about $2.2 billion, of which about $1.1 billion would go to the State of Wyoming.
“Wyoming’s Energy Strategy included a goal of getting at least three major Environmental Impact Statements finished for large scale energy projects in the state,” said Wyoming Governor Matt Mead. “The release of the final environmental analysis of the Normally Pressured Lance natural gas project is exciting, and it is the second project that will have a completed Environmental Impact Statement – a win for Wyoming in all ways. I look forward to the conclusion of this process when the Bureau of Land Management signs the final Record of Decision. Thank you to Secretary Zinke for his help on this project for Wyoming.”
The NPL project is located immediately south and west of the existing Jonah Gas Field in Sublette County, Wyoming. Jonah Energy LLC is proposing to drill up to 3,500 directional natural gas wells over a 10-year period. The project encompasses approximately 141,000 acres of public, State, and private lands. Approximately 96 percent of the project area is on public lands managed by the BLM within its High Desert District. The Notice of Intent to prepare the EIS was first published on April 12, 2011 (70 FR 20370), and BLM Wyoming released the Draft EIS for the NPL Natural Gas Development project on July 7, 2017.
“The NPL project is important to Wyoming and the nation,” says BLM Deputy Director Brian Steed. “It will provide valuable natural gas to power the country, significant royalty revenue to the state and Treasury, and the type of jobs that support western communities.”
A copy of the entire NPL Final EIS is available at https://go.usa.gov/xnp3E.
Persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-8339 to contact the individuals below during normal business hours. The FRS is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to leave a message or question with the below individual. You will receive a reply during normal business hours.
For more information, please contact Kellie Roadifer at 307-367-5309, or e-mail blm_wy_npl_eis@blm.gov.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.