Galveston Bay LNG, LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations, 4473-4475 [2018-01895]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 21 / Wednesday, January 31, 2018 / Notices to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. For further information please contact: Vidya Desai, Senior Advisor for Trade Events, Trade Promotion Programs (IBP2019@trade.gov). Frank Spector, Trade Promotion Programs. [FR Doc. 2018–01869 Filed 1–30–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No.: PTO–P–2017–0051] Manual of Patent Examining Procedure, Ninth Edition, Revision of January 2018 United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (‘‘USPTO’’) issued a revision of the ninth edition of the Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (‘‘MPEP’’) in January 2018 to provide updated information on patent examination policy and procedure (‘‘January 2018 revision’’). The MPEP is published to provide patent examiners and the public with a reference work on the practices and procedures relative to the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. The MPEP contains instructions to examiners, as well as other material in the nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the current procedures which the examiners are required or authorized to follow in appropriate cases in the normal examination of a patent application. ADDRESSES: The USPTO prefers that suggestions for improving the form and content of the MPEP be submitted via email to mpepfeedback@uspto.gov or via the IdeaScale® tool available at: https://uspto-mpep.ideascale.com/a/ index. Written comments may also be submitted by mail addressed to: Commissioner for Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450, marked to the attention of Editor, Manual of Patent Examining Procedure. The USPTO prefers that any comments or suggestions specifically directed to subject matter eligibility be directed to: 2014_interim_guidance@uspto.gov. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jan 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert A. Clarke, Editor of the MPEP by telephone (571–272–7735) or by email (Robert.Clarke@uspto.gov) or Linda Therkorn, Patent Examination Policy Advisor by telephone (571–272–7837) or by email (Linda.Therkorn@ uspto.gov). SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USPTO issued a revision to the ninth edition of the MPEP in January 2018, which provides USPTO patent examiners, applicants, attorneys, agents, representatives of applicants, and other members of the public with a reference work on the practices and procedures relative to the prosecution of patent applications before the USPTO. The MPEP contains instructions to examiners, as well as other material in the nature of information and interpretation, and outlines the current procedures which the examiners are required or authorized to follow in appropriate cases in the normal examination of a patent application. Although the MPEP does not have the force of law or the force of the rules in Title 37 of the Code of Federal Regulations, it ‘‘is well known to those registered to practice in the PTO and reflects the presumptions under which the PTO operates.’’ Critikon, Inc. v. Becton Dickinson Vascular Access, Inc., 120 F.3d 1253, 1257 (Fed. Cir. 1997). In the January 2018 revision, sections of chapters 200, 700–1000, 1200, 1400, 1500, 1800, 2000–2300, 2500, and 2700 have been updated. The updated sections have a revision indicator of [R– 08.2017], meaning these sections have been updated to reflect USPTO patent practice and relevant case law as of August 31, 2017. In addition, Chapter FPC (the Form Paragraph Book), the Table of Contents, Foreword, Introduction, Subject Matter Index, and all Appendices except Appendix I and Appendix P have been updated. The changes in the January 2018 revision are discussed in the Change Summary for the Ninth Edition, Revision 08.2017. The policies stated in the January 2018 revision supersede any policies stated in prior editions, including revisions, of the MPEP to the extent that there is any conflict. The January 2018 revision of the ninth edition of the MPEP may be viewed or downloaded free of charge from the USPTO website at https:// www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/ and is available to search online at https://mpep.uspto.gov. Archived copies of each of the prior revisions and editions of the MPEP continue to be available for reference. Links to the archived copies are available on the PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4473 USPTO website at https:// www.uspto.gov/web/offices/pac/mpep/ old/index.htm. Dated: January 25, 2018. Joseph Matal, Associate Solicitor, performing the functions and duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2018–01866 Filed 1–30–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FE Docket No. 17–167–LNG] Galveston Bay LNG, LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations 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 December 22, 2017, by Galveston Bay LNG, LLC (Galveston Bay LNG), requesting longterm, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a volume equivalent to 785.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year of natural gas. Galveston Bay LNG seeks authorization to export this LNG from its proposed natural gas liquefaction facility to be located in Texas City, Texas (Galveston Bay LNG Project). Galveston Bay LNG seeks authorization to export this LNG to countries with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy, including both countries with which the United States has entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas (FTA countries) and all other countries (non-FTA countries). Galveston Bay LNG requests the nonFTA authorization for a term of 20 years, to begin on the date of first export following the commencement of operations or seven years from the date of a final order granting export authorization, whichever is first. In addition, Galveston Bay LNG is requesting that it be afforded a threeyear make-up period for the purpose of exporting any volume it is unable to export during the original export period, consistent with DOE/FE precedent. Galveston Bay LNG further requests this authorization on its own behalf and as agent for other entities who hold title to SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31JAN1.SGM 31JAN1 4474 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 21 / Wednesday, January 31, 2018 / Notices the natural gas at the time of export. Galveston Bay LNG filed the Application under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Additional details can be found in Galveston Bay LNG’s Application, posted on the DOE/ FE website at https://energy.gov/fe/ downloads/galveston-bay-lng-llc-fe-dktno-17-167-lng. 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, April 2, 2018. ADDRESSES: Electronic Filing by Email: fergas@ hq.doe.gov. Regular Mail: U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, P.O. Box 44375, Washington, DC 20026–4375. Hand Delivery or Private Delivery Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Beverly Howard or Larine Moore, U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586–9387; (202) 586– 9478. Cassandra S. Bernstein, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 6D–033, 1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586– 9793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: to section 3(c) of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(c). In reviewing Galveston Bay LNG’s request for a non-FTA export authorization, DOE will consider any issues required by law or policy. DOE will consider domestic need for the natural 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. As part of this analysis, DOE will consider the following two studies examining the cumulative impacts of exporting domestically produced LNG: • Effect of Increased Levels of Liquefied Natural Gas on U.S. Energy Markets, conducted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration upon DOE’s request (2014 EIA LNG Export Study); 1 and • The Macroeconomic Impact of Increasing U.S. LNG Exports, conducted jointly by the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Oxford Economics, on behalf of DOE (2015 LNG Export Study).2 Additionally, DOE will consider the following environmental documents: • Addendum to Environmental Review Documents Concerning Exports of Natural Gas From the United States, 79 FR 48132 (Aug. 15, 2014); 3 and • Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas from the United States, 79 FR 32260 (June 4, 2014).4 Parties that may oppose this Application should address these issues and documents in their comments and/ or protests, as well as other issues deemed relevant to the non-FTA portion of the Application. 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 environmental responsibilities. sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES DOE/FE Evaluation In the Application, Galveston Bay LNG requests authorization to export LNG from the proposed Galveston Bay LNG Project to both FTA countries and non-FTA countries. This Notice applies only to the portion of the Application requesting authority to export LNG to non-FTA countries pursuant to section 3(a) of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a). DOE separately will review the portion of the Application requesting authority to export LNG to FTA countries pursuant VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jan 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 1 The 2014 EIA LNG Export Study, published on Oct. 29, 2014, is available at: https://www.eia.gov/ analysis/requests/fe/. 2 The 2015 LNG Export Study, dated Oct. 29, 2015, is available at: https://energy.gov/sites/prod/ files/2015/12/f27/20151113_macro_impact_of_lng_ exports_0.pdf. 3 The Addendum and related documents are available at: https://energy.gov/fe/addendumenvironmental-review-documents-concerningexports-natural-gas-united-states. 4 The Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Report is available at: https://energy.gov/fe/life-cyclegreenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefiednatural-gas-united-states. PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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, regarding the non-FTA export portion of the Application. Interested persons will be provided 60 days from the date of publication of this Notice in which to submit comments, protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention. Any person wishing to become a party to the proceeding must file a motion to intervene or notice of intervention. 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 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. 17–167–LNG in the title line; (2) mailing an original and three paper copies of the filing to the Office of Regulation and International Engagement at the address listed in ADDRESSES; or (3) hand delivering an original and three paper copies of the filing to the Office of Regulation and International Engagement at the address listed in ADDRESSES. All filings must include a reference to FE Docket No. 17–167–LNG. Please Note: If submitting a filing via email, please include all related documents and attachments (e.g., exhibits) in the original email correspondence. Please do not include any active hyperlinks or password protection in any of the documents or attachments related to the filing. All electronic filings submitted to DOE must follow these guidelines to ensure that all documents are filed in a timely manner. Any hardcopy filing submitted greater in length than 50 pages must also include, at the time of the filing, a digital copy on disk of the entire submission. 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. If an additional procedure is scheduled, notice will be provided to all parties. If no party requests additional procedures, a final E:\FR\FM\31JAN1.SGM 31JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 21 / Wednesday, January 31, 2018 / Notices 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 is available for inspection and copying in the Office of Regulation and International Engagement docket room, 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 January 26, 2018. Robert J. Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas (Acting). [FR Doc. 2018–01895 Filed 1–30–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FE Docket No. 18–03–LNG] Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P., et al.; Application for Blanket Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries 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 January 4, 2018, by Freeport LNG Expansion, L.P., FLNG Liquefaction LLC, FLNG Liquefaction 2, LLC, and FLNG Liquefaction 3, LLC (collectively, FLEX). The Application requests blanket authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in an amount up to the equivalent of 782 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a cumulative basis over a two-year period, commencing on the earlier of the date of first short-term export or September 1, 2018. The LNG would be exported from the Freeport LNG Liquefaction Project (Liquefaction Project), which is currently under construction at the Freeport LNG Terminal on Quintana Island, Texas. FLEX requests authorization to export the LNG 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, sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jan 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 including both countries with which the United States has entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas (FTA countries) and all other countries (non-FTA countries). FLEX seeks to export this LNG both before and after commercial operations at the Liquefaction Project begin. FLEX requests this authorization on its own behalf and as agent for other entities who hold title to the natural gas at the time of export. Additional details can be found in FLEX’s Application, posted on the DOE/FE website at: https:// energy.gov/fe/downloads/freeport-lngexpansion-lp-fe-dkt-no-18-03-lng. 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, March 2, 2018. ADDRESSES: Electronic Filing by email: fergas@ hq.doe.gov. Regular Mail: U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, P.O. Box 44375, Washington, DC 20026–4375. Hand Delivery or Private Delivery Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kyle W. Moorman or Larine Moore, U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34) Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586–7970; (202) 586– 9478. Cassandra Bernstein, U.S. Department of Energy (GC–76) Office of the Assistant General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586–9793. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FLEX requests a short-term blanket authorization to export LNG produced prior to the start of commercial operations at its Liquefaction Project, as well as after commercial operations begin (as market opportunities arise). FLEX commits that the short-term volumes to be exported under the PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 4475 requested authorization, when added to any volumes exported under FLEX’s existing long-term export authorizations, will not exceed the maximum volumes approved under those DOE/FE authorizations in any annual (consecutive 12-month) period. DOE/FE Evaluation The portion of the Application seeking authority to export LNG on a short-term basis to non-FTA countries will be reviewed pursuant to section 3(a) of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a), and DOE will consider any issues required by law or policy. In reviewing this Application, DOE will consider domestic need for the natural 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. As part of this analysis, DOE will consider the following two studies examining the cumulative impacts of exporting domestically produced LNG: • Effect of Increased Levels of Liquefied Natural Gas on U.S. Energy Markets, conducted by the U.S. Energy Information Administration upon DOE’s request (2014 EIA LNG Export Study); 1 and • The Macroeconomic Impact of Increasing U.S. LNG Exports, conducted jointly by the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and Oxford Economics, on behalf of DOE (2015 LNG Export Study).2 Additionally, DOE will consider the following environmental documents: • Addendum to Environmental Review Documents Concerning Exports of Natural Gas From the United States, 79 FR 48132 (Aug. 15, 2014); 3 and • Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas from the United States, 79 FR 32260 (June 4, 2014).4 Parties that may oppose this Application should address these issues and documents in their comments and/ 1 The 2014 EIA LNG Export Study, published on Oct. 29, 2014, is available at: https://www.eia.gov/ analysis/requests/fe/. 2 The 2015 LNG Export Study, dated Oct. 29, 2015, is available at: https://energy.gov/sites/prod/ files/2015/12/f27/20151113_macro_impact_of_lng_ exports_0.pdf. 3 The Addendum and related documents are available at: https://energy.gov/fe/draft-addendumenvironmental-review-documents-concerningexports-natural-gas-united-states. 4 The Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Report is available at: https://energy.gov/fe/life-cyclegreenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefiednatural-gas-united-states. E:\FR\FM\31JAN1.SGM 31JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4473-4475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01895]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. 17-167-LNG]


Galveston Bay LNG, LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract 
Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade 
Agreement Nations

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 
December 22, 2017, by Galveston Bay LNG, LLC (Galveston Bay LNG), 
requesting long-term, multi-contract authorization to export 
domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a volume 
equivalent to 785.7 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year of natural gas. 
Galveston Bay LNG seeks authorization to export this LNG from its 
proposed natural gas liquefaction facility to be located in Texas City, 
Texas (Galveston Bay LNG Project).
    Galveston Bay LNG seeks authorization to export this LNG to 
countries with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy, 
including both countries with which the United States has entered into 
a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in 
natural gas (FTA countries) and all other countries (non-FTA 
countries). Galveston Bay LNG requests the non-FTA authorization for a 
term of 20 years, to begin on the date of first export following the 
commencement of operations or seven years from the date of a final 
order granting export authorization, whichever is first. In addition, 
Galveston Bay LNG is requesting that it be afforded a three-year make-
up period for the purpose of exporting any volume it is unable to 
export during the original export period, consistent with DOE/FE 
precedent. Galveston Bay LNG further requests this authorization on its 
own behalf and as agent for other entities who hold title to

[[Page 4474]]

the natural gas at the time of export. Galveston Bay LNG filed the 
Application under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Additional 
details can be found in Galveston Bay LNG's Application, posted on the 
DOE/FE website at https://energy.gov/fe/downloads/galveston-bay-lng-llc-fe-dkt-no-17-167-lng.
    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, April 2, 
2018.

ADDRESSES:
    Electronic Filing by Email: [email protected].
    Regular Mail: U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of 
Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, P.O. 
Box 44375, Washington, DC 20026-4375.
    Hand Delivery or Private Delivery Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, 
etc.): U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office of Regulation and 
International Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, 
Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Beverly Howard or Larine Moore, U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), 
Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Fossil 
Energy, Forrestal Building, Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-9387; (202) 586-9478.
    Cassandra S. Bernstein, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the 
Assistant General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy, Forrestal 
Building, Room 6D-033, 1000 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20585, 
(202) 586-9793.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

DOE/FE Evaluation

    In the Application, Galveston Bay LNG requests authorization to 
export LNG from the proposed Galveston Bay LNG Project to both FTA 
countries and non-FTA countries. This Notice applies only to the 
portion of the Application requesting authority to export LNG to non-
FTA countries pursuant to section 3(a) of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a). 
DOE separately will review the portion of the Application requesting 
authority to export LNG to FTA countries pursuant to section 3(c) of 
the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(c).
    In reviewing Galveston Bay LNG's request for a non-FTA export 
authorization, DOE will consider any issues required by law or policy. 
DOE will consider domestic need for the natural 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. As part of this analysis, DOE will 
consider the following two studies examining the cumulative impacts of 
exporting domestically produced LNG:
     Effect of Increased Levels of Liquefied Natural Gas on 
U.S. Energy Markets, conducted by the U.S. Energy Information 
Administration upon DOE's request (2014 EIA LNG Export Study); \1\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The 2014 EIA LNG Export Study, published on Oct. 29, 2014, 
is available at: https://www.eia.gov/analysis/requests/fe/.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The Macroeconomic Impact of Increasing U.S. LNG Exports, 
conducted jointly by the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University's 
Baker Institute for Public Policy and Oxford Economics, on behalf of 
DOE (2015 LNG Export Study).\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The 2015 LNG Export Study, dated Oct. 29, 2015, is available 
at: https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/12/f27/20151113_macro_impact_of_lng_exports_0.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Additionally, DOE will consider the following environmental 
documents:
     Addendum to Environmental Review Documents Concerning 
Exports of Natural Gas From the United States, 79 FR 48132 (Aug. 15, 
2014); \3\ and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The Addendum and related documents are available at: https://energy.gov/fe/addendum-environmental-review-documents-concerning-exports-natural-gas-united-states.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting 
Liquefied Natural Gas from the United States, 79 FR 32260 (June 4, 
2014).\4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Report is available at: https://energy.gov/fe/life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefied-natural-gas-united-states.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Parties that may oppose this Application should address these 
issues and documents in their comments and/or protests, as well as 
other issues deemed relevant to the non-FTA portion of the Application.
    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 environmental 
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, regarding the non-FTA export portion of the Application. 
Interested persons will be provided 60 days from the date of 
publication of this Notice in which to submit comments, protests, 
motions to intervene, notices of intervention.
    Any person wishing to become a party to the proceeding must file a 
motion to intervene or notice of intervention. 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 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 [email protected], with FE Docket No. 17-167-LNG 
in the title line; (2) mailing an original and three paper copies of 
the filing to the Office of Regulation and International Engagement at 
the address listed in ADDRESSES; or (3) hand delivering an original and 
three paper copies of the filing to the Office of Regulation and 
International Engagement at the address listed in ADDRESSES. All 
filings must include a reference to FE Docket No. 17-167-LNG. Please 
Note: If submitting a filing via email, please include all related 
documents and attachments (e.g., exhibits) in the original email 
correspondence. Please do not include any active hyperlinks or password 
protection in any of the documents or attachments related to the 
filing. All electronic filings submitted to DOE must follow these 
guidelines to ensure that all documents are filed in a timely manner. 
Any hardcopy filing submitted greater in length than 50 pages must also 
include, at the time of the filing, a digital copy on disk of the 
entire submission.
    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. 
If an additional procedure is scheduled, notice will be provided to all 
parties. If no party requests additional procedures, a final

[[Page 4475]]

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 is available for inspection and copying in the 
Office of Regulation and International Engagement docket room, 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 January 26, 2018.
Robert J. Smith,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas (Acting).
[FR Doc. 2018-01895 Filed 1-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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