# Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc.; Notice of Schedule for the Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for the Viola Project
On January 21, 2026, Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. (Southern Star) filed an application in Docket No. CP26-74-000 requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity pursuant to Section 7(c) of the Natural Gas Act for the Viola Project (Project) in Sumner County, Kansas. Southern Star proposes to construct a new meter station, flow station, compressor station, and the Line UA natural gas pipeline, in order to flow up to 116,296 dekatherms per day of natural gas. The Viola Project would support and supply the 710-megawatt combined cycle power generation Viola Plant, which is currently under construction in Sumner County, and would be owned and operated by Evergy Kansas Central, Inc. (Evergy).
On February 4, 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-019-20-000-1774341286.
**Schedule for Environmental Review**
Issuance of EA—October 9, 2026
90-day Federal Authorization Decision Deadline [^2] —January 7, 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.
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 facilities and activities detailed below, all in Sumner County, Kansas:
• approximately 19.33 miles of new 16-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline (Line UA), which would connect to Southern Star's existing 20-inch-diameter Line U;
• the new Wellington Compressor Station, consisting of three compressor units totaling 12,375 horsepower, along with ancillary station equipment;
• a new mainline valve on Line U; and
• the Evergy Meter Setting, a meter station which would connect Line UA to the new Evergy Viola Plant.
**Background**
On March 4, 2026, the Commission issued a *Notice of Scoping Period Requesting Comments on Environmental Issues for the Proposed Viola 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. The Commission received a comment regarding concerns over air and noise emissions, as well as potential safety risks of a compressor station and pipeline within 1 mile of a residence. All substantive comments received will be addressed in 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 *[email protected].*
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.,* CP26-74), 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 *[email protected].* 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: April 7, 2026.
Debbie-Anne A. Reese,
Secretary.