Department of Energy February 16, 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of a Request for Information: ``Accounting Conventions for Non-Combustible Renewable Energy Use'' regarding using an alternative methodology for calculating source energy from non-combustible renewable resources in analysis that informs DOE, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) products, reports, and standardssuch as the Home Energy Score. The current approach uses the equivalent average heat rate of fossil fuels to convert renewable electricity to source energy (approximately 9,500 BTU/kWh), while the proposed approach would use the heat content of electricity (3,412 BTU/kWh). This proposed change would better represent the lack of fuels used in generating renewable electricity, and would result in a slightly lower site-to-source ratio than the current approach.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on November 5, 2015, by Flint Hills Resources, LP (Flint Hills), requesting long-term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) primarily by use of approved ISO IMO7-TVAC-ASME LNG (ISO) containers transported on ocean- going carriers to any country with which the United States does not have a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas, and with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy (non-FTA countries).\1\ Flint Hills seeks authorization to export the LNG in a volume equivalent to approximately 3.62 billion cubic feet of natural gas per year (Bcf/yr) (0.01 Bcf per day), which it states is approximately 120,000 gallons of LNG per day. Flint Hills seeks to purchase the LNG for export from a LNG liquefaction facility owned by Stabilis LNG Eagle Ford, LLC (Stabilis Facility), located in George West, Texas.\2\ According to Flint Hills, the Stabilis Facility has the capacity to produce 120,000 gallons of LNG per day and to store approximately 270,000 gallons of LNG. Flint Hills states that the Stabilis Facility is currently operational and can accommodate both ISO container loadings and tanker truck loadings.\3\ Flint Hill therefore asserts that no additional plant infrastructure will be required as a result of the proposed exports. Flint Hills requests the authorization for a 20-year term to commence on the earlier of the date of first commercial export or a date three months from the issuance of a final order granting the requested authorization. Flint Hills seeks to export this LNG on its own behalf and as agent for other entities who 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 Flint Hills's Application, posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: https:// energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2015/11/f27/15_168_lng%20fta_nfta .pdf. Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written comments are invited.