Chevron U.S.A. Inc.; Application for Blanket Authorization To Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas on a Short-Term Basis, 66597-66599 [2012-27032]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 215 / Tuesday, November 6, 2012 / Notices Type of Review: New collection, request for a new OMB Control Number. Respondents/Affected Public: State, Local or Tribal Governments. Total Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 2,240. Total Estimated Number of Annual Burden Hours: 983. Abstract: The needs assessment consists of an online survey of a sample of school board members, district administrators, principals, and teachers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The purpose of the sample survey is to assess: the importance these populations attach to the four issues identified in advance by REL Midwest as priorities for the region; for each issue, the types of data and analysis supports, and research and evaluation needs which respondents anticipate would be of particular value; and what factors would increase the likelihood respondents and the populations they represent would turn to the REL for data and analysis supports, or research and evaluation needs in the future. The results of the survey will be used to prioritize the assistance that REL Midwest provides to educators in the region for utilizing their longitudinal data systems, conducting high quality research and evaluation; learning about the best education research; and incorporating data into policy and practice. Dated: November 1, 2012. Darrin A. King, Director, Information Collection Clearance Division, Privacy, Information and Records Management Services, Office of Management. [FR Doc. 2012–27072 Filed 11–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Notice of Membership of the Performance Review Board Office of Management, Department of Education. ACTION: Notice; correction. AGENCY: On August 30, 2012, the Office of Management in the U.S. Department of Education published in the Federal Register (77 FR 52707) a notice announcing the members of the Performance Review Board (PRB) for the Department of Education for the Senior Executive Service (SES) (August PRB notice). Under 5 U.S.C. 4314(c)(1) through (c)(5), each agency is required to establish one or more PRBs. This notice corrects the list of members included in the August PRB notice. DATES: Effective November 6, 2012. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:06 Nov 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 On page 52707 of the PRB notice, in the third column, we correct the paragraph under the heading Membership to read: The Secretary has selected the following executives of the Department of Education for the specified SES performance cycle: Sue Betka, Danny Harris, Larry Kean, Teresa Garland, Brenda Dann-Messier, John (Jay) Hurt, Kathleen Styles, and Gabriella Gomez. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Andrea Burckman, Director, Executive Resources Division, Human Capital and Client Services, Office of Management, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue SW., Room 2C150, LBJ, Washington, DC 20202–4573. Telephone: (202) 401–0853. If you use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) or text telephone (TTY), call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1–800–877–8339. Individuals with disabilities can obtain this document in an accessible format (e.g., braille, large print, audiotape, or compact disc) on request to the contact person listed under For Further Information Contact. Electronic Access to This Document: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. Free Internet access to the official edition of the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations is available via the Federal Digital System at: www.gpo.gov/fdsys. At this site you can view this document, as well as all other documents of this Department of Education (Department) published in the Federal Register, in text or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). To use PDF you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available free at the site. You may also access documents of the Department published in the Federal Register by using the article search feature at: www.federalregister.gov. Specifically, through the advanced search feature at this site, you can limit your search to documents published by the Department. Dated: October 31, 2012. Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education. [FR Doc. 2012–26983 Filed 11–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000–01–P PO 00000 66597 DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FE Docket No. 12–113–LNG] Chevron U.S.A. Inc.; Application for Blanket Authorization To Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas on a Short-Term Basis Office of Fossil Energy, DOE. Notice of application. AGENCY: ACTION: The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on September 10, 2012, by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron), requesting blanket authorization to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) that previously had been imported into the United States from foreign sources in an amount up to the equivalent of 72 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a short-term or spot market basis for a two-year period commencing on December 8, 2012.1 The LNG would be exported from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal owned by Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., in Cameron Parish, Louisiana to any country with the capacity to import LNG via ocean-going carrier and with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy. The Application was filed under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written comments are invited. DATES: Protests, motions to intervene or notices of intervention, as applicable, requests for additional procedures, and written comments are to be filed using procedures detailed in the Public Comment Procedures section no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, December 6, 2012. ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E– 042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larine Moore or Beverly Howard, U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586– 9478; (202) 586–9387; Edward Myers, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 6B–256, 1000 Independence SUMMARY: 1 Chevron U.S.A. Inc.’s, current blanket authorization to export previously imported LNG granted in DOE/FE Order No. 2888 (December 8, 2010) extends through December 7, 2012. Frm 00020 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06NON1.SGM 06NON1 66598 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 215 / Tuesday, November 6, 2012 / Notices Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586–3397. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with Background Chevron is a Pennsylvania corporation with its principal place of business in San Ramon, California. Chevron Global Gas is a division of Chevron that engages in the global business of marketing and trading LNG. Chevron has contracted for 1.0 Bcf/day of terminal capacity from Sabine Pass LNG L.P. for an initial term of twenty years that commenced in November 2004 with the option to extend the term for a period of twenty years. On June 22, 2012, DOE/FE Order No. 3113 granted Chevron blanket authorization to import LNG up to the equivalent of 800 Bcf of natural gas from various international sources for a two-year period beginning on August 1, 2012. Under the terms of the blanket authorization, LNG may be imported at any LNG receiving facility in the United States and its territories. Current Application In the instant Application, Chevron requests blanket authorization to export previously imported LNG to which Chevron holds title on a short-term or spot market basis in an amount up to the equivalent of 72 Bcf of natural gas, on a cumulative basis, over a two-year period beginning on December 8, 2012. Chevron is seeking such authorization to export previously imported LNG to any country with the capacity to import LNG via ocean-going carrier and with which trade is not prohibited by Federal law or policy. Chevron states that it does not seek authorization to export domestically-produced natural gas or LNG. The blanket export authorization requested by Chevron would be applicable to exports from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, owned by Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Chevron states that DOE/FE has issued a number of blanket authorizations to export previouslyimported LNG, including the recently granted authorization for such reexports from this terminal to Cheniere Marketing LLC in DOE/FE Order No. 3102 granted on June 7, 2012. Chevron states that there are no other proceedings related to this Application currently pending before the DOE or any other federal agency. Chevron states that the request to export previously imported LNG is based on its desire to optimize the longterm capacity it has contracted for at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal by responding effectively to periodic changes in domestic and world markets VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:06 Nov 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 for natural gas and LNG. More specifically, Chevron asserts it desires the option to either export previously imported LNG to other world markets, or regasify the imported LNG for sale in domestic markets. Chevron states that it would base any decision related to the sale of imported LNG on prevailing market conditions. Chevron asserts that it does not intend to export any LNG when market conditions dictate that the LNG be used to meet domestic needs. Chevron asserts that the authorization would encourage Chevron to purchase spot market LNG cargoes for import into the United States, and would make more gas available to the domestic market if it were needed. Finally, Chevron states that granting the blanket export authorization would not reduce domestically-produced natural gas supplies because it is not seeking to export domestically-produced natural gas supplies. Public Interest Considerations In support of its Application, Chevron states that pursuant to section 3 of the NGA, DOE/FE must authorize natural gas exports to a foreign country unless there is a finding that such exports ‘‘will not be consistent with the public interest.’’ 2 Chevron states that section 3 thus creates a statutory presumption in favor of a properly framed export application.3 Chevron states further that the public interest determination is guided by DOE Delegation Order No. 0204–111, which ‘‘focuses primarily on domestic need for the gas to be exported, as described in the Secretary’s natural gas policy guidelines’’.4 As detailed in the Application, Chevron states the blanket export authorization requested by Chevron satisfies the public interest standard for the following reasons. Chevron states that there is no domestic reliance on the imported LNG that Chevron would export pursuant to the blanket authorization requested in the Application. Specifically, Chevron states that in the DOE/FE Order No. 3102 5 DOE/FE took administrative notice that recent data and analysis shows domestic natural gas production has increased significantly over the last several years, due to improved drilling technologies, and the ability to produce natural gas trapped in shale gas geologic formations. Chevron asserts that granting the blanket export authorization would encourage the importation of LNG into the United States by providing Chevron the option, based on prevailing market conditions, to either export previously imported LNG to other world markets or regassify the LNG for sale in domestic markets. Environmental Impact Chevron states that no modifications to the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal are required to enable the proposed exports of LNG. Chevron asserts that consequently, granting this Application would not be a federal action significantly affecting the human environment under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. 2 15 U.S.C. 717b.(a). Natural gas is defined to include LNG in 10 CFR 590.102(i). 3 Phillips Alaska Natural Gas Corp. and Marathon Oil Co., DOE/FE Order No. 1473 (2 FE ¶ 70,317) at 13 (April 2, 1999), citing Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association v. ERA, 822 F.2d 1105, 1111 (D.C. Cir. 1987). 4 Cheniere Marketing, LLC, Order Granting Blanket Authorization to Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas by Vessel, DOE/FE Order No. 3102 (FE Docket No. 12–36–LNG) at 5 (June 7, 2012). 5 Id. PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 DOE/FE Evaluation This export Application will be reviewed pursuant to section 3 of the NGA, as amended, and the authority contained in DOE Delegation Order No. 00–002.00L (April 29, 2011) and DOE Redelegation Order No. 00–002.04E (April 29, 2011). In reviewing this LNG export Application, DOE will consider domestic need for the gas, as well as any other issues determined to be appropriate, including whether the arrangement is consistent with DOE’s policy of promoting competition in the marketplace by allowing commercial parties to freely negotiate their own trade arrangements. Parties that may oppose this Application should comment in their responses on these issues. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., requires DOE to give appropriate consideration to the environmental effects of its proposed decisions. No final decision will be issued in this proceeding until DOE has met its NEPA responsibilities. Public Comment Procedures In response to this notice, any person may file a protest, comments, or a motion to intervene or notice of intervention, as applicable. Any person wishing to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene or notice of intervention, as applicable. The filing of comments or a protest with respect to the Application will not serve to make the commenter or protestant a party to the proceeding, although protests and comments received from persons who are not parties will be considered in E:\FR\FM\06NON1.SGM 06NON1 erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 215 / Tuesday, November 6, 2012 / Notices determining the appropriate action to be taken on the Application. All protests, comments, motions to intervene or notices of intervention must meet the requirements specified by the regulations in 10 CFR part 590. Filings may be submitted using one of the following methods: (1) Emailing the filing to fergas@hq.doe.gov, with FE Docket No. 12–113–LNG in the title line; (2) mailing an original and three paper copies of the filing to the Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply at the address listed in ADDRESSES; or (3) hand delivering an original and three paper copies of the filing to the Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply at the address listed in ADDRESSES. A decisional record on the Application will be developed through responses to this notice by parties, including the parties’ written comments and replies thereto. Additional procedures will be used as necessary to achieve a complete understanding of the facts and issues. A party seeking intervention may request that additional procedures be provided, such as additional written comments, an oral presentation, a conference, or trial-type hearing. Any request to file additional written comments should explain why they are necessary. Any request for an oral presentation should identify the substantial question of fact, law, or policy at issue, show that it is material and relevant to a decision in the proceeding, and demonstrate why an oral presentation is needed. Any request for a conference should demonstrate why the conference would materially advance the proceeding. Any request for a trial-type hearing must show that there are factual issues genuinely in dispute that are relevant and material to a decision and that a trial-type hearing is necessary for a full and true disclosure of the facts. If an additional procedure is scheduled, notice will be provided to all parties. If no party requests additional procedures, a final Opinion and Order may be issued based on the official record, including the Application and responses filed by parties pursuant to this notice, in accordance with 10 CFR 590.316. The Application filed by Chevron is available for inspection and copying in the Office of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities docket room, 3E–042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. The docket room is open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Application and any filed protests, motions to intervene or notice of VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:06 Nov 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 interventions, and comments will also be available electronically by going to the following DOE/FE web address: https://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/ gasregulation/. Issued in Washington, DC, on October 31, 2012. Robert F. Corbin, Director, Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy. [FR Doc. 2012–27032 Filed 11–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Environmental Management SiteSpecific Advisory Board, Northern New Mexico Department of Energy. Notice of open meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Northern New Mexico. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92–463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of this meeting be announced in the Federal Register. DATES: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 1:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: Cities of Gold Conference Center, 10–A Cities of Gold Road, Pojoaque, NM 87506. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Menice Santistevan, Northern New Mexico Citizens’ Advisory Board (NNMCAB), 94 Cities of Gold Road, Santa Fe, NM 87506. Phone (505) 995– 0393; Fax (505) 989–1752 or Email: Menice.Santistevan@nnsa.doe.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Purpose of the Board: The purpose of the Board is to make recommendations to DOE–EM and site management in the areas of environmental restoration, waste management, and related activities. SUMMARY: Tentative Agenda 1:00 p.m. Call to Order by Deputy Designated Federal Officer (DDFO), Ed Worth Establishment of a Quorum: Roll Call and Excused Absences, Staff Welcome and Introductions, Carlos Valdez, Chair Approval of Agenda and September 26, 2012 Meeting Minutes 1:15 p.m. Public Comment Period 1:30 p.m. Old Business • Written Reports • Report on EM SSAB Chairs’ Meeting, Carlos Valdez and Manuel Pacheco, Vice-Chair • Consideration and Action on Four Draft Recommendations from EM SSAB Chairs’ Meeting PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 66599 • Other Items 2:00 p.m. New Business • Consideration and Action on 2012 Self Evaluation (Section X. Bylaws), Carlos Valdez • Other Items 2:15 p.m. Update from Liaison Members • New Mexico Environment Department, John Keiling • Los Alamos National Security, Jeffrey Mousseau • DOE, Peter Maggiore • Environmental Protection Agency, Ed Worth for Rich Mayer 3:00 p.m. Break 3:15 p.m. Update on Framework Agreement 5:00 p.m. Dinner Break 6:00 p.m. Public Comment Period, Carlos Valdez 6:15 p.m. Consideration and Action on Draft Recommendation(s) to DOE 6:45 p.m. Wrap-Up and Comments from Board Members 7:00 p.m. Adjourn, Ed Worth, DDFO Public Participation: The EM SSAB, Northern New Mexico, welcomes the attendance of the public at its advisory committee meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special accommodations due to a disability, please contact Menice Santistevan at least seven days in advance of the meeting at the telephone number listed above. Written statements may be filed with the Board either before or after the meeting. Individuals who wish to make oral statements pertaining to agenda items should contact Menice Santistevan at the address or telephone number listed above. Requests must be received five days prior to the meeting and reasonable provision will be made to include the presentation in the agenda. The Deputy Designated Federal Officer is empowered to conduct the meeting in a fashion that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. Individuals wishing to make public comments will be provided a maximum of five minutes to present their comments. Minutes: Minutes will be available by writing or calling Menice Santistevan at the address or phone number listed above. Minutes and other Board documents are on the Internet at: https:// www.nnmcab.energy.gov/ Issued at Washington, DC on October 26, 2012. LaTanya R. Butler, Acting Deputy Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2012–27034 Filed 11–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P E:\FR\FM\06NON1.SGM 06NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66597-66599]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27032]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. 12-113-LNG]


Chevron U.S.A. Inc.; Application for Blanket Authorization To 
Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas on a Short-Term Basis

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy 
(DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on 
September 10, 2012, by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron), requesting 
blanket authorization to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) that 
previously had been imported into the United States from foreign 
sources in an amount up to the equivalent of 72 billion cubic feet 
(Bcf) of natural gas on a short-term or spot market basis for a two-
year period commencing on December 8, 2012.\1\ The LNG would be 
exported from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal owned by Sabine Pass LNG, 
L.P., in Cameron Parish, Louisiana to any country with the capacity to 
import LNG via ocean-going carrier and with which trade is not 
prohibited by U.S. law or policy. The Application was filed under 
section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Protests, motions to intervene, 
notices of intervention, and written comments are invited.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Chevron U.S.A. Inc.'s, current blanket authorization to 
export previously imported LNG granted in DOE/FE Order No. 2888 
(December 8, 2010) extends through December 7, 2012.

DATES: Protests, motions to intervene or notices of intervention, as 
applicable, requests for additional procedures, and written comments 
are to be filed using procedures detailed in the Public Comment 
Procedures section no later than 4:30 p.m., eastern time, December 6, 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Oil and Gas 
Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal 
Building, Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 
20585.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Larine Moore or Beverly Howard, U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), 
Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of Fossil 
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9478; (202) 586-9387;
Edward Myers, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Assistant 
General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, 
Room 6B-256, 1000 Independence

[[Page 66598]]

Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-3397.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Chevron is a Pennsylvania corporation with its principal place of 
business in San Ramon, California. Chevron Global Gas is a division of 
Chevron that engages in the global business of marketing and trading 
LNG. Chevron has contracted for 1.0 Bcf/day of terminal capacity from 
Sabine Pass LNG L.P. for an initial term of twenty years that commenced 
in November 2004 with the option to extend the term for a period of 
twenty years. On June 22, 2012, DOE/FE Order No. 3113 granted Chevron 
blanket authorization to import LNG up to the equivalent of 800 Bcf of 
natural gas from various international sources for a two-year period 
beginning on August 1, 2012. Under the terms of the blanket 
authorization, LNG may be imported at any LNG receiving facility in the 
United States and its territories.

Current Application

    In the instant Application, Chevron requests blanket authorization 
to export previously imported LNG to which Chevron holds title on a 
short-term or spot market basis in an amount up to the equivalent of 72 
Bcf of natural gas, on a cumulative basis, over a two-year period 
beginning on December 8, 2012. Chevron is seeking such authorization to 
export previously imported LNG to any country with the capacity to 
import LNG via ocean-going carrier and with which trade is not 
prohibited by Federal law or policy. Chevron states that it does not 
seek authorization to export domestically-produced natural gas or LNG.
    The blanket export authorization requested by Chevron would be 
applicable to exports from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal, owned by 
Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. in Cameron Parish, Louisiana. Chevron states that 
DOE/FE has issued a number of blanket authorizations to export 
previously-imported LNG, including the recently granted authorization 
for such re-exports from this terminal to Cheniere Marketing LLC in 
DOE/FE Order No. 3102 granted on June 7, 2012. Chevron states that 
there are no other proceedings related to this Application currently 
pending before the DOE or any other federal agency.
    Chevron states that the request to export previously imported LNG 
is based on its desire to optimize the long-term capacity it has 
contracted for at the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal by responding 
effectively to periodic changes in domestic and world markets for 
natural gas and LNG. More specifically, Chevron asserts it desires the 
option to either export previously imported LNG to other world markets, 
or regasify the imported LNG for sale in domestic markets. Chevron 
states that it would base any decision related to the sale of imported 
LNG on prevailing market conditions. Chevron asserts that it does not 
intend to export any LNG when market conditions dictate that the LNG be 
used to meet domestic needs.

Public Interest Considerations

    In support of its Application, Chevron states that pursuant to 
section 3 of the NGA, DOE/FE must authorize natural gas exports to a 
foreign country unless there is a finding that such exports ``will not 
be consistent with the public interest.'' \2\ Chevron states that 
section 3 thus creates a statutory presumption in favor of a properly 
framed export application.\3\ Chevron states further that the public 
interest determination is guided by DOE Delegation Order No. 0204-111, 
which ``focuses primarily on domestic need for the gas to be exported, 
as described in the Secretary's natural gas policy guidelines''.\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ 15 U.S.C. 717b.(a). Natural gas is defined to include LNG in 
10 CFR 590.102(i).
    \3\ Phillips Alaska Natural Gas Corp. and Marathon Oil Co., DOE/
FE Order No. 1473 (2 FE ] 70,317) at 13 (April 2, 1999), citing 
Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association v. ERA, 822 F.2d 
1105, 1111 (D.C. Cir. 1987).
    \4\ Cheniere Marketing, LLC, Order Granting Blanket 
Authorization to Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas by 
Vessel, DOE/FE Order No. 3102 (FE Docket No. 12-36-LNG) at 5 (June 
7, 2012).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As detailed in the Application, Chevron states the blanket export 
authorization requested by Chevron satisfies the public interest 
standard for the following reasons. Chevron states that there is no 
domestic reliance on the imported LNG that Chevron would export 
pursuant to the blanket authorization requested in the Application. 
Specifically, Chevron states that in the DOE/FE Order No. 3102 \5\ DOE/
FE took administrative notice that recent data and analysis shows 
domestic natural gas production has increased significantly over the 
last several years, due to improved drilling technologies, and the 
ability to produce natural gas trapped in shale gas geologic 
formations. Chevron asserts that granting the blanket export 
authorization would encourage the importation of LNG into the United 
States by providing Chevron the option, based on prevailing market 
conditions, to either export previously imported LNG to other world 
markets or regassify the LNG for sale in domestic markets. Chevron 
asserts that the authorization would encourage Chevron to purchase spot 
market LNG cargoes for import into the United States, and would make 
more gas available to the domestic market if it were needed. Finally, 
Chevron states that granting the blanket export authorization would not 
reduce domestically-produced natural gas supplies because it is not 
seeking to export domestically-produced natural gas supplies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ Id.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Environmental Impact

    Chevron states that no modifications to the Sabine Pass LNG 
Terminal are required to enable the proposed exports of LNG. Chevron 
asserts that consequently, granting this Application would not be a 
federal action significantly affecting the human environment under the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.

DOE/FE Evaluation

    This export Application will be reviewed pursuant to section 3 of 
the NGA, as amended, and the authority contained in DOE Delegation 
Order No. 00-002.00L (April 29, 2011) and DOE Redelegation Order No. 
00-002.04E (April 29, 2011). In reviewing this LNG export Application, 
DOE will consider domestic need for the gas, as well as any other 
issues determined to be appropriate, including whether the arrangement 
is consistent with DOE's policy of promoting competition in the 
marketplace by allowing commercial parties to freely negotiate their 
own trade arrangements. Parties that may oppose this Application should 
comment in their responses on these issues.
    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq., requires DOE to give appropriate consideration to the 
environmental effects of its proposed decisions. No final decision will 
be issued in this proceeding until DOE has met its NEPA 
responsibilities.

Public Comment Procedures

    In response to this notice, any person may file a protest, 
comments, or a motion to intervene or notice of intervention, as 
applicable. Any person wishing to become a party to the proceeding must 
file a motion to intervene or notice of intervention, as applicable. 
The filing of comments or a protest with respect to the Application 
will not serve to make the commenter or protestant a party to the 
proceeding, although protests and comments received from persons who 
are not parties will be considered in

[[Page 66599]]

determining the appropriate action to be taken on the Application. All 
protests, comments, motions to intervene or notices of intervention 
must meet the requirements specified by the regulations in 10 CFR part 
590.
    Filings may be submitted using one of the following methods: (1) 
Emailing the filing to fergas@hq.doe.gov, with FE Docket No. 12-113-LNG 
in the title line; (2) mailing an original and three paper copies of 
the filing to the Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply at 
the address listed in ADDRESSES; or (3) hand delivering an original and 
three paper copies of the filing to the Office of Oil and Gas Global 
Security and Supply at the address listed in ADDRESSES.
    A decisional record on the Application will be developed through 
responses to this notice by parties, including the parties' written 
comments and replies thereto. Additional procedures will be used as 
necessary to achieve a complete understanding of the facts and issues. 
A party seeking intervention may request that additional procedures be 
provided, such as additional written comments, an oral presentation, a 
conference, or trial-type hearing. Any request to file additional 
written comments should explain why they are necessary. Any request for 
an oral presentation should identify the substantial question of fact, 
law, or policy at issue, show that it is material and relevant to a 
decision in the proceeding, and demonstrate why an oral presentation is 
needed. Any request for a conference should demonstrate why the 
conference would materially advance the proceeding. Any request for a 
trial-type hearing must show that there are factual issues genuinely in 
dispute that are relevant and material to a decision and that a trial-
type hearing is necessary for a full and true disclosure of the facts.
    If an additional procedure is scheduled, notice will be provided to 
all parties. If no party requests additional procedures, a final 
Opinion and Order may be issued based on the official record, including 
the Application and responses filed by parties pursuant to this notice, 
in accordance with 10 CFR 590.316.
    The Application filed by Chevron is available for inspection and 
copying in the Office of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities docket room, 
3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20585. The docket 
room is open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Application and any filed 
protests, motions to intervene or notice of interventions, and comments 
will also be available electronically by going to the following DOE/FE 
web address: https://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/gasregulation/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on October 31, 2012.
Robert F. Corbin,
Director, Office of Oil and Gas Global Security and Supply, Office of 
Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 2012-27032 Filed 11-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.