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, 4475-4476 [2018-01896]

Download as PDF 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 4476 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 21 / Wednesday, January 31, 2018 / Notices sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES or protests, as well as other issues deemed relevant to 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. FLEX states that no new construction or changes to the Liquefaction Project facilities will be required for the shortterm exports requested in the Application. No final decision will be issued in this proceeding until DOE has met its environmental responsibilities. Interested persons will be provided 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice in which to submit comments, protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, or motions for additional procedures. 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. Interested parties will be provided 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice in which to submit comments, protests, motions to intervene, or 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. 18–03–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. 18–03–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 VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Jan 30, 2018 Jkt 244001 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 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), Office of Fossil Energy. [FR Doc. 2018–01896 Filed 1–30–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450–01–P DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Notice of Public Meeting of the Supercritical CO2 Oxy-Combustion Technology Group National Energy Technology Laboratory, Office of Fossil Energy, Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) will host a public meeting via WebEx February 27, 2018, of the Supercritical CO2 Oxy-combustion Technology Group, to address challenges associated with oxy-combustion systems in directly heated supercritical CO2 (sCO2) power cycles. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The public meeting will be held on February 27, 2018, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST. ADDRESSES: The public meeting will be held via WebEx and hosted by NETL. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the public meeting, please contact Seth Lawson or Walter Perry at NETL by telephone at (304) 285–4469, by email at Seth.Lawson@netl.doe.gov, Walter.Perry@netl.doe.gov, or by postal mail addressed to National Energy Technology Laboratory, 3610 Collins Ferry Road, P.O. Box 880, Morgantown, WV 26507–0880. Please direct all media inquiries to the NETL Public Affairs Officer at (304) 285–0228. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DATES: Instructions and Information on the Public Meeting The public meeting will be held via WebEx. The public meeting will begin at 1:00 p.m. and end at 3:00 p.m. Meeting details will be available prior to the meeting on the NETL website, https://www.netl.doe.gov/events/sco2tech-group. Interested parties may RSVP, to confirm their participation and receive login instructions, by emailing Seth.Lawson@netl.doe.gov. The objective of the Supercritical CO2 Oxycombustion Technology Group is to promote a technical understanding of oxy-combustion for direct-fired sCO2 power cycles by sharing information or viewpoints from individual participants regarding risk reduction and challenges associated with developing the technology. Oxy-combustion systems in directly heated supercritical CO2 (SCO2) power cycles utilize natural gas or syngas oxycombustion systems to produce a high temperature SCO2 working fluid and have the potential to be efficient, cost effective and well-suited for carbon dioxide (CO2) capture. To realize the benefits of direct fired SCO2 power cycles, the following challenges must be addressed: Chemical kinetic uncertainties, combustion instability, flowpath design, thermal management, pressure containment, definition/ prediction of turbine inlet conditions, ignition, off-design operation, transient capabilities, in-situ flame monitoring, and modeling, among others. The format of the meeting will facilitate equal opportunity for discussion among all participants; all participants will be welcome to speak. Following a detailed presentation by one volunteer participant regarding lessons learned from his or her area of research, other participants will be provided the opportunity to briefly E:\FR\FM\31JAN1.SGM 31JAN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 21 (Wednesday, January 31, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4475-4476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01896]


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

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

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 
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, 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-lng-expansion-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: [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: 
    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 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
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \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/draft-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/

[[Page 4476]]

or protests, as well as other issues deemed relevant to 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. FLEX states that no 
new construction or changes to the Liquefaction Project facilities will 
be required for the short-term exports requested in the Application. No 
final decision will be issued in this proceeding until DOE has met its 
environmental responsibilities.
    Interested persons will be provided 30 days from the date of 
publication of this Notice in which to submit comments, protests, 
motions to intervene, notices of intervention, or motions for 
additional procedures.

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. Interested parties will be provided 30 days from the date 
of publication of this Notice in which to submit comments, protests, 
motions to intervene, or 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. 18-03-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. 18-03-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 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), Office of 
Fossil Energy.
[FR Doc. 2018-01896 Filed 1-30-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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