The staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) has prepared a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Sabine Pass Stage 5 Expansion Project (Project), proposed by Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC; Sabine Pass Liquefaction Stage V, LLC; Sabine Crossing Pipeline, LLC; and Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline, L.P. (collectively, the Applicants).

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC and Sabine Pass Liquefaction Stage V, LLC propose to expand the existing Sabine Pass Liquefied Natural Gas (SPLNG) Terminal in Cameron Parish, Louisiana by: (1) constructing three new liquefaction trains (Trains 7, 8, and 9), each with a maximum liquified natural gas (LNG) production capacity of approximately 300 billion cubic feet per year (Bcf/y), and (2) constructing one boil-off gas re-liquefaction unit that would produce an additional 50 Bcf/y. The Project would increase the natural gas export capacity by 950 Bcf/y for a total export capacity of 2,611.9 Bcf/y. Operation of the SPLNG Terminal Expansion would increase the number of LNG carriers in the Gulf of America and Sabine Pass Ship Channel from 580 to 740 LNG carriers per year (an addition of up to 160 vessels per year).

Sabine Crossing Pipeline, LLC (Sabine Crossing) proposes to: (1) construct approximately 55.6 miles of 48-inch-diameter pipeline that begins approximately 1 mile east of Moss Bluff, Texas in Liberty County, Texas and terminates within the proposed SPLNG Terminal Expansion facility in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; (2) construct four 52,500-horsepower (hp) modular compressor packages and appurtenant facilities at the new Hamshire Compressor Station in Jefferson County, Texas; (3) construct six new meter stations along the pipeline route in Liberty and Jefferson Counties, Texas and Cameron Parish, Louisiana, and (4) construct four new pig traps and three new mainline valves along the pipeline route in Jefferson County, Texas and Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The Sabine Crossing Pipeline is designed to provide an additional 2.7 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas to the SPLNG Terminal.

Cheniere Creole Trail Pipeline, L.P. (Creole Trail) currently operates a 94.8-mile-long, 42-inch-diameter, bi-directional pipeline and ancillary aboveground facilities in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, and extends to the existing SPLNG Terminal. Creole Trail proposes to: (1) construct two 23,470-hp compressor packages and appurtenant facilities at the existing Gillis Compressor Station in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana; (2) construct one 52,500-hp modular compressor package and appurtenant facilities at the new Tarpon Compressor Station in Cameron Parish, Louisiana; and (3) construct one new 16-inch-diameter meter and flow control run and one new filter at an existing meter station within the SPLNG Terminal. Expansion of the Creole Trail system would deliver an additional 0.9 Bcf/d of natural gas to the SPLNG Terminal.

According to the Applicants, the Project purpose is to expand the Applicants' liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capabilities to meet immediate and future global demand for LNG.

The draft EIS has been prepared in compliance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and FERC regulations implementing NEPA (18 CFR 380).

The conclusions and recommendations presented in the draft EIS are those of the FERC environmental staff. Input from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Marine Fisheries Service, and the U.S. Department of Energy as cooperating agencies in the preparation of the draft EIS was considered during the development of our conclusions and recommendations; however, these agencies could develop their own conclusions and recommendations and would adopt the final EIS per 40 CFR 1506.3 (where applicable) if, after an independent review of the document, they conclude that their permitting requirements have been satisfied.

The FERC staff concludes that for most resources, the construction and operation of the Project would result in limited environmental effects. Most environmental effects would be temporary or short-term during construction, but some long-term and permanent environmental effects would occur on wetlands, forested lands, visual resources, and air quality. In addition, based on a preliminary engineering and technical review of the SPLNG Terminal Expansion design, we conclude there are acceptable layers of protection or safeguards that would reduce the risk of a potentially hazardous scenario from developing into an event that could affect the offsite public. These determinations are based on our review of the information provided by the Applicants and further developed from environmental information requests; scoping; literature research; consideration of potential alternatives; contacts with federal, state, and local agencies; and other stakeholders. Although many factors were considered in these determinations, the principal reasons are:

• The Applicants would minimize effects on natural, cultural, and human resources through implementation of approved plans and procedures, including their commitment to implement our Upland Erosion Control, Revegetation, and Maintenance Plan and the Wetland and Waterbody Construction and Mitigation Procedures; Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plans and the Applicant's Wetland and Waterbody Mitigation Plans; Horizontal Directional Drill Installation Plans; Noxious and Invasive Weed Control Plan; Unanticipated Discoveries Plan; Traffic Management Plan; and Community Engagement Plan.

• The Applicants would collocate new pipeline segments along existing utility and transportation corridors to the greatest extent practicable, thereby reducing new disturbance and long-term fragmentation of forested lands.

• FERC staff would complete consultation under section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act prior to construction, ensuring compliance with federal requirements for protected species and cultural resources.

• The Applicants would comply with all applicable U.S. Department of Transportation safety standards for the design, construction, and operation of natural gas transmission facilities.

• The Applicants would comply with all applicable federal and state air and noise quality regulations and would verify compliance through post-construction surveys and operational monitoring.

• An environmental inspection and monitoring program would be implemented to verify that the Applicants and their contractors adhere to all required mitigation measures and environmental commitments throughout construction and operation.

In addition, we recommend adopting the Project-specific mitigation measures presented in section 5.2 of the draft EIS. These measures are necessary to further reduce or avoid environmental effects and to ensure that the Project is constructed and operated in a manner that protects the surrounding natural and human environment. We conclude that with the successful implementation of these measures, the Project would not result in significant long-term adverse environmental effects.

The FERC Commissioners will take into consideration staff's recommendations when they make a decision on the Project.

For those wishing to comment on the draft EIS, the public comment period closes at 5:00pm Eastern Time on May 26, 2026.