Guardian Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Guardian 3 Expansion Project

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Energy Regulatory Commission [Docket No. CP26-548-000] Guardian Pipeline, LLC; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Guardian 3 Expansion Project On July 1, 2026, Guardian Pipeline, LLC (Guardian) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-548-000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act to construct and operate certain natural gas pipeline facilities in Illinois and Wisconsin. The proposed project is known as the Guardian 3 Expansion Project (Project) and would provide about 536,903 dekatherms/day (Dth/day) of long-term firm transportation capacity to help meet the growing demand for additional natural gas supplies in Wisconsin and neighboring states. On July 14, 2026, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) issued its Notice of Application for the Project. Among other things, that notice alerted agencies issuing federal authorizations of the requirement to complete all necessary reviews and to reach a final decision on a request for a federal authorization within 90 days of the date of issuance of the Commission staff's environmental document for the Project. This notice identifies Commission staff's intention to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) for the Project and the planned schedule for the completion of the environmental review. 1 The EA will be issued for a 30-day comment period. 1  For tracking purposes under the National Environmental Policy Act, the unique identification number for documents relating to this environmental review is EAXX-019-20-000-1785915466. Schedule for Environmental Review Issuance of EA—March 5, 2027 90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline  2 —June 3, 2027. 2  The Commission's deadline applies to the decisions of other federal agencies, and state agencies acting under federally delegated authority, that are responsible for federal authorizations, permits, and other approvals necessary for proposed projects under the Natural Gas Act. Per 18 CFR 157.22(a), the Commission's deadline for other agency's decisions applies unless a schedule is otherwise established by federal law. In accordance with Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act, agencies are to publish completion dates for all federal environmental reviews and authorizations. This notice identifies the Commission's anticipated schedule for issuance of the final order for the project, which is based on the anticipated issuance date for the final EA. We currently anticipate issuing a final order for the project no later than: Issuance of Final Order—June 17, 2027 If a schedule change becomes necessary, additional notice will be provided so that the relevant agencies are kept informed of the Project's progress. Project Description The Project would consist of the following facilities: • approximately 42.6 miles of 36-inch-diameter looping natural gas pipeline (Juliet Loop) in Kendall and DeKalb counties, Illinois; • approximately 25.5 miles of 36-inch-diameter looping natural gas pipeline (Sycamore Loop) in DeKalb and McHenry counties, Illinois; • two new 11,110-horsepower (HP) compressor units within Guardian's existing Joliet Compressor Station (CS) in Will County, Illinois; • modifications to the compression facilities within Guardian's existing Sycamore CS in DeKalb County, Illinois; • a greenfield 9,000-HP CS (Eden CS) in Dodge County, Wisconsin; • a greenfield meter and regulator station (MS) (Sheboygan MS) in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin; and • other appurtenant pipeline facilities in Illinois. Background On July 29, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Guardian 3 Expansion Project (Notice of Scoping). The Notice of Scoping was sent to affected landowners; federal, state, and local government agencies; elected officials; environmental and public interest groups; Native American tribes; other interested parties; and local libraries and newspapers. In response to the Notice of Scoping, the Commission received comments from The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, and twelve stakeholders. The primary issues raised by the commenters are noise impacts and mitigation, agricultural drainage, pipeline safety, and landowner notification. Eight comments were submitted expressing support of the Project. One protest was filed that addresses legal, procedural, environmental, agricultural, hydrologic and operational aspects of the Project. All substantive comments will be addressed in the EA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)—Chicago District, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5, U.S. Department of Agriculture—Natural Resources Conservation Service—Illinois are cooperating agencies in the preparation of the EA. Additional Information In order to receive notification of the issuance of the EA and to keep track of formal issuances and submittals in specific dockets, the Commission offers a free service called eSubscription. This service provides automatic notification of filings made to subscribed dockets, document summaries, and direct links to the documents. Go to https://www.ferc.gov/ferc-online/overview to register for eSubscription. For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office of Public Participation at (202)502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov. Additional information about the Project is available from the FERC website ( www.ferc.gov ). Using the “eLibrary” link, select “General Search” from the eLibrary menu, enter the selected date range and “Docket Number” excluding the last three digits ( i.e., CP26-548), and follow the instructions. For assistance with access to eLibrary, the helpline can be reached at (866) 208-3676, TTY (202) 502-8659, or at FERCOnlineSupport@ferc.gov. The eLibrary link on the FERC website also provides access to the texts of formal documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rule makings. (Authority: 18 CFR 2.1) Dated: September 24, 2026. Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary. [FR Doc. 2026-19907 Filed 9-28-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6717-01-P