Department of Energy July 2016 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On June 30, 2016, C4GT, LLC, as owner and operator of a new baseload electric generating powerplant, submitted a coal capability self-certification to the Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (FUA), as amended, and DOE regulations. FUA and regulations thereunder require DOE to publish a notice of filing of self-certification in the Federal Register.

With this notice, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) seeks public comment on the proposed content and scope of the Joint U.S.- Canadian Electric Grid Strategy as indicated by the draft outline presented here. DOE seeks public comment including the following: (1) Suggestions for how best to describe the cyber and physical risks to electric grid systems, as well as ways to address and mitigate those risks; (2) suggestions for ensuring that the outlined strategic goals and objectives are at the appropriate level for a joint U.S.-Canadian strategy; (3) suggestions for actions under the proposed joint strategy that Federal departments and agencies should take to make the grid more secure and resilient; (4) suggestions for new ways to secure the future grid across North America, as outlined in the final section; and (5) suggestions for timelines to use when considering future planning and investment opportunities. Supplementary background information, additional details, and instructions for submitting comments can be found below.

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application, filed on December 23, 2015, amended on June 7, 2016 (Application), by Rio Grande LNG, LLC (Rio Grande LNG). Rio Grande LNG requests long-term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a volume equivalent to approximately 1,318 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year of natural gas (3.61 Bcf per day). Rio Grande LNG seeks to export the LNG by vessel from its proposed natural gas liquefaction and LNG export terminal to be located in Cameron County, Texas, along the north embankment of the Brownsville Ship Channel (Rio Grande LNG Project). Rio Grande LNG requests authorization to export this LNG 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\ Rio Grande LNG seeks authorization to export this LNG for (a) a single 20-year primary term applicable to the entire Rio Grande LNG Project consisting of six (6) liquefaction trains commencing on the earlier of (i) the date of first export from the first of the Rio Grande LNG Project's trains to be commissioned, or (ii) seven (7) years from the date of the DOE/FE order authorizing such exports, coupled with (b) a five (5) year Make-Up Period at the conclusion of the 20-year primary term.\2\ Rio Grande LNG 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 Rio Grande LNG's Application, posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: https://cms.doe.gov/ sites/prod/files/2016/07/f33/Rio_Grande15_190-LNG_App.pdf and in the amendment to the Application, posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: https:/ /cms.doe.gov/sites/prod/files/2016/07/f33/RGLNG_Amend06_07_16 .pdf. Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written comments are invited.

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 final rule classifies a variety of refrigeration products that are collectively described as ``miscellaneous refrigeration products''i.e., ``MREFs,'' as a covered product under Part A of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (``EPCA''), as amended. These products include different types of refrigeration devices that include one or more compartments that maintain higher temperatures than typical refrigerator compartments, such as wine chillers and beverage coolers. Additionally, this final rule amends or establishes certain definitions related to these products and establishes test procedures for certain classes of MREFs. These procedures are based an earlier proposal the Department of Energy published on December 16, 2014, along with additional feedback provided as part of a negotiated rulemaking effort focusing on these products. The test procedures follow the same general methodology as those currently in place for refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, and freezers. Through this rule, the test procedures for MREFs will be codified. This rule also establishes similar clarifying amendments for freezers.