Department of Energy September 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on August 27, 2015, by ConocoPhillips Company (ConocoPhillips), requesting blanket authorization to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) previously imported into the United States from foreign sources in an amount up to the equivalent of 500 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a short-term or spot market basis for a two-year period commencing on January 1, 2016.\1\ ConocoPhillips seeks authorization to export the LNG from the LNG terminal facilities owned by Freeport LNG Development, L.P. located on Quintana Island, Texas,\2\ 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. ConocoPhillips states that it does not seek authorization to export any domestically produced natural gas or LNG. DOE/FE notes that ConocoPhillips currently holds a blanket authorization to import LNG from various international sources by vessel, and to export LNG to Canada and Mexico by vessel, in an amount up to the equivalent of 500 Bcf of natural gas.\3\ ConocoPhillips is requesting this authorization both on its own behalf and as agent for other parties who will hold title to the LNG at the time of export. The Application was filed under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Additional details can be found in ConocoPhillips's Application, posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: https://energy.gov/fe/downloads/freeport-lng- development-lp-fe-dkt-no-15-130-lng. Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written comments are invited.

On July 9, 2015, the Department of Energy (DOE) published in the Federal Register a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the policy development related to the possible establishment of a national reserve of power transformers that support the bulk power grid and requested public comment by August 24, 2015. DOE is re-opening the original public comment period for this RFI.

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 (EPCA), as amended, prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including single package vertical air conditioner (SPVAC) and single package vertical heat pump (SPVHP) equipment (collectively referred to as single package vertical units or SPVUs). EPCA also requires the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to determine whether more-stringent standards for SPVACs and SPVHPs would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would save a significant amount of energy. In this final rule, DOE is adopting standards equivalent to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)/ Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) Standard 90.1-2013 levels for four SPVU equipment classes, and adopting amended energy conservation standards for two other equipment classes of single package vertical units more stringent than the SPVU standards in ASHRAE Standard 90.1- 2013. DOE has determined that the amended energy conservation standards for this equipment are technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in the significant conservation of energy.

On September 10, 2013, the Department of Energy (DOE or Department) issued in the Federal Register a revision to its regulations governing the standards for medical, physical performance, training, and access authorizations for protective force (PF) personnel employed by contractors providing security services to the Department. Subsequently, the DOE created a new Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security (AU) to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its environmental, health, safety and security policy. Certain functions that previously were carried out by the Office of Health, Safety and Security have been transferred to the new office. This final rule makes technical amendments to DOE's regulations to substitute the officials to whom or offices to which functions have been transferred pursuant to the reorganization. Today's regulatory amendments do not alter substantive rights or obligations under current law.

On July 21, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy published a final rule amending energy conservation standards for packaged terminal air conditioners and packaged terminal heat pumps. 80 FR 43162. This correction addresses a table labeling error in that final rule.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability of the Hawaii Clean Energy Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Hawaii Clean Energy Final PEIS or Final PEIS) (DOE/EIS- 0459). The PEIS, which is not required under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), evaluates the potential environmental impacts associated with 31 energy efficiency activities and renewable energy technologies that could be implemented to assist the State of Hawaii in meeting the goals established under the Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative (HCEI).

This notice announces a meeting of the Environmental Management Site-Specific Advisory Board (EM SSAB), Oak Ridge Reservation. 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.

This notice announces a meeting of the National Coal Council (NCC). The Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770) requires that public notice of these meetings be announced in the Federal Register.