Department of Energy 2012 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In compliance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3507(a)(1)(D), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission or FERC) is submitting the information collection FERC-732 (Electric Rate Schedules and Tariffs: Long-Term Firm Transmission Rights in Organized Electricity Markets) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review of the information collection requirements. Any interested person may file comments directly with OMB and should address a copy of those comments to the Commission as explained below. The Commission issued a Notice in the Federal Register (77 FR 58116, 9/19/2012) requesting public comments. FERC received no comments on the FERC-732 and is making this notation in its submittal to OMB.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application) filed on October 26, 2012, by Golden Pass Products LLC (GPP), requesting long- term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in an amount up to the equivalent of 740 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of domestically produced natural gas per year, equal to approximately 15.6 million metric tons per annum (mtpa), for a period of 25 years beginning on the earlier of the date of first export or seven years from the date the authorization is granted by DOE/FE. The LNG would be exported from the existing Golden Pass LNG Terminal (Golden Pass Terminal), a facility located in Sabine Pass, Texas, to any country (1) That has or in the future develops the capacity to import LNG via ocean-going carrier; (2) with which the United States does not prohibit trade; and (3) that does not have a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) requiring the national treatment for trade in natural gas (NFTA country). GPP seeks to export this LNG on its own behalf and also as agent for other entities who themselves hold title to the LNG. 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.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application) filed on September 21, 2012, by CE FLNG, LLC (CE FLNG), requesting long-term, multi-contract authorization to export up to 8 million tons per annum (mtpa) of domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG), the equivalent of about 391 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per year, or 1.07 Bcf per day (Bcf/d), over a 30-year period, commencing on the earlier of the date of first export or ten years from the date the requested authorization is granted. The LNG would be exported from the proposed CE FLNG LNG terminal in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, (Project) to any country (1) With which the United States does not have a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas, (2) which has developed or in the future develops the capacity to import LNG via ocean-going carrier, and (3) with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy. The source of the natural gas will be from direct connects with the interstate pipelines of Tennessee 500 leg, SONAT, Transcontinental, Gulf South and several intrastate pipelines in Louisiana. CE FLNG anticipates that it will need to extend pipeline approximately 100 miles to connect to the proposed Project. CE FLNG anticipates that sources of natural gas will include Texas and Louisiana producing regions and the offshore gulf producing regions, with CE FLNG's primary source of natural gas coming from the Gulf of Mexico rather than from shale gas plays. CE FLNG is requesting this authorization to export LNG both on its own behalf and as agent for other parties who hold title to the LNG at the point of export. 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.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the administration of a prize competition (Challenge) titled ``Apps for Vehicles: improving safety and fuel efficiency through technology innovation''.

The Department of Energy (DOE), pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, intends to extend for three years, an information collection request with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the extended collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. This information collection request pertains to the Human Reliability Program (HRP). This information collection request consists of forms that will certify to DOE that respondents were advised of the requirements for occupying or continuing to occupy a HRP position. The forms include: Human Reliability Program Certification (DOE F 470.3), Acknowledgement and Agreement to Participate in the Human Reliability Program (DOE F 470.4), Authorization and Consent to Release Human Reliability Program (HRP) Records in Connection with HRP (DOE F 470.5), Refusal of Consent (DOE F 470.6), and Human Reliability Program (HRP) Alcohol Testing Form (DOE F 470.7). The HRP is a security and safety reliability program for individuals who apply for or occupy certain positions that are critical to the national security. It requires an initial and annual supervisory review, medical assessment, management evaluation, and a DOE personnel security review of all applicants or incumbents. It is also used to ensure that employees assigned to nuclear explosive duties do not have emotional, mental, or physical conditions that could result in an accidental or unauthorized detonation of nuclear explosives.

EIA is announcing the discontinuation of the natural gas wellhead price series. Beginning in January 2013, EIA will discontinue publishing wellhead prices, and will begin publishing a natural gas spot price at the Henry Hub and an NGL composite spot price at Mont Belvieu. Comments are invited on the proposed change. Please provide a description of your current use of the wellhead price data if applicable.