FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION
`WASHINGTON, D.C. 20426
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`OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS
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`In Reply Refer To:
`OEP/DG2E/Gas Branch 3
`Trailblazer Pipeline Company LLC
`and Rockies Express Pipeline LLC
`Trailblazer Conversion Project
`Docket No. CP22-468-000
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`November 16, 2022
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`Via Electronic Mail
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`Edward Velarde, President
`Jicarilla Apache Tribe
`evelarde@janadmin.com
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`Re: Trailblazer Conversion Project
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`Dear President Velarde:
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`The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) invites the
`participation of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe in its review of the Trailblazer Conversion
`Project (Project) proposed by Trailblazer Pipeline Company LLC and Rockies Express
`Pipeline LLC (applicants). The applicants seek to abandon about 392 miles of pipeline and
`related facilities, to be re-purposed to transport carbon dioxide that would not be subject to
`the Commission’s jurisdiction. The applicants would construct two new pipeline laterals
`totaling about 41 miles and operate various FERC-jurisdictional aboveground facilities to
`allow continuity of natural gas transportation. Abandonment and construction activities to
`support the Project would occur in Logan, Sedgwick, and Weld Counties, Colorado; and
`Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Franklin, Jefferson, Kearney, Kimball, Lincoln, Perkins, Saline,
`and Webster Counties, Nebraska.
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`The Commission will prepare a single environmental document as part of the
`National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process for the Project. The FERC
`application was filed on May 27, 2022.
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`You may have received notification of the Project when FERC issued its Notice of
`Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Trailblazer
`Conversion Project on September 29, 2022. It was published in the Federal Register, sent
`to various Indian tribes, and placed in the Commission’s public record under docket
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`Docket No. CP22-468-000
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`number CP22-468-000.1 Or, you may have also been contacted about the Project by the
`applicants or their consultants. Although the applicants do not represent FERC, they can
`assist us in completing the process of complying with the National Historic Preservation
`Act by gathering information, in accordance with the Advisory Council on Historic
`Preservation’s implementing regulations at 36 CFR 800.2(a)(3).
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`We are interested in receiving your comments on the Project to ensure that the
`concerns of your tribe are identified and properly considered in our environmental analysis.
`We also request your assistance in identifying properties of traditional, religious, or cultural
`importance to the tribe that may be affected by the planned Project. Please be assured that
`we will keep any sensitive tribal information strictly confidential. Note, if you file
`sensitive tribal information, it should be marked “CUI//PRIV - Do Not Release.”
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`You may file a response either electronically or with paper copy; however, with
`either method please reference the Project docket number (i.e., CP22-468) with your
`submission. If you choose the internet, use the eFiling feature on the FERC’s web page at
`www.ferc.gov under the “FERC Online” link. To file a paper copy, send a letter via U.S.
`Postal Service addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
`Commission, 888 First Street NE, Washington DC 20426. Submissions sent via any other
`carrier must be addressed to: Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Federal Energy Regulatory
`Commission, 12225 Wilkins Avenue, Rockville, Maryland 20852.
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`We would very much appreciate receiving your response within 30 days of the date
`of this letter. If you would like to discuss our process, get further information, or you
`would prefer to meet with Commission staff, please feel free to contact either our
`Environmental Project Manager, Amanda Mardiney at 202-502-8081, or our Project
`Archaeologist, Paul Friedman at 202-502-8059. The Commission welcomes your
`participation in our environmental review process for this Project.
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`Sincerely,
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`J. Rich McGuire, Director
`Division of Gas-Environment and Engineering
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`Cc: Jeff Blythe, THPO
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`1 Project information is available on the FERC website (www.ferc.gov) using the eLibrary link. Click on the eLibrary link, click on
`“General Search” and enter the docket number, excluding the last three digits in the Docket Number field (i.e., CP22-468). Be sure
`you have selected an appropriate date range. 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. The eLibrary link also provides access to the texts of formal
`documents issued by the Commission, such as orders, notices, and rulemakings.
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