81 FR 46918 - Rio Grande LNG, LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 138 (July 19, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 138 (July 19, 2016)
| Page Range | 46918-46920 | |
| FR Document | 2016-17025 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 138 (Tuesday, July 19, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 46918-46920] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-17025] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FE Docket No. 15-190-LNG] Rio Grande LNG, LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations 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, 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 [[Page 46919]] 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ In the Application, Rio Grande LNG also requests authorization to export the same volume of LNG to any nation that currently has, or in the future may enter into, a FTA requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas, and with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy (FTA countries). DOE/FE will review that request separately pursuant to section 3(c) of the Natural Gas Act, 15 U.S.C. Sec. 717b(c). \2\ Rio Grande's proposed request is uniquely structured due to the scope of the Rio Grande LNG Project. The Rio Grande Project will be the largest LNG export project in the U.S. to be developed in a single phase. 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, September 19, --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2016. 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: Beverly Howard, 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) 586-9387; (202) 586-9578. Edward Myers, 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: DOE/FE Evaluation The Application 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. To the extent determined to be relevant, these issues will include the domestic need for the natural gas proposed to be exported, the adequacy of domestic natural gas supply, and U.S. energy security. DOE may also consider other factors bearing on the public interest, including the impact of the proposed exports on the U.S. economy, international considerations, and whether the authorization 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); \3\ and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ 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).\4\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ The 2015 LNG Export Study, dated Oct. 29, 2015, is available at: http://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); \5\ and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ The Addendum and related documents are available at http://energy.gov/fe/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).\6\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \6\ The Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Report is available at: http://energy.gov/fe/life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefied-natural-gas-united-states. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parties that may oppose this Application should address these issues in their comments and/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. No final decision will be issued in this proceeding until DOE has met its environmental responsibilities. 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. Due to the complexity of the issues raised by the Applicant, interested persons will be provided 60 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. 15-190-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 [[Page 46920]] listed in ADDRESSES. All filings must include a reference to FE Docket No. 15-190-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: http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/gasregulation/index.html. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 13, 2016. John A. Anderson, Director, Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of Oil and Natural Gas. [FR Doc. 2016-17025 Filed 7-18-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![46918 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 138 / Tuesday, July 19, 2016 / Notices
Russian Highly Enriched Uranium markets and domestic uranium ‘‘non-confidential’’ with the information
Agreement and the Suspension industries, and the potential effects of believed to be confidential deleted.
Agreement.’’ Section 306(a) of Division DOE’s transfers on the uranium markets Submit these documents via email. DOE
D, Title III of the Consolidated and and possible consequences for domestic will make its own determination about
Further Continuing Appropriations Act, uranium industries. DOE will use that the confidential status of the
2015 (Public Law 113–235), limits the information to help analyze and information and treat it according to its
validity of any determination by the determine whether its transfers would determination. Factors of interest to
Secretary under section 3112(d)(2)(B) of have an adverse material impact on the DOE when evaluating requests to treat
the USEC Privatization Act to no more domestic uranium mining, conversion, submitted information as confidential
than two calendar years subsequent to or enrichment industry. For all include: (1) A description of the items;
the determination. comments, DOE requests that interested (2) whether and why such items are
In recent years, DOE has transferred parties fully explain any assumptions customarily treated as confidential
uranium for cleanup services at the that underlie their reasoning. DOE also within the industry; (3) whether the
Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant and requests that commenters provide information is generally known by or
for down-blending of highly-enriched underlying data or other information available from other sources; (4)
uranium to low-enriched uranium sufficient to allow DOE to review and whether the information has previously
(LEU). In May 2015, the Secretary verify any of the assumptions, been made available to others without
determined that certain transfers, calculations or views expressed by the obligation concerning its
described in the determination, would commenters. confidentiality; (5) an explanation of the
not have an adverse material impact on DOE specifically invites public competitive injury to the submitting
the domestic uranium mining, comment on the following questions: person which would result from public
conversion, or enrichment industry (the (1) What are current and projected disclosure; (6) when such information
‘‘2015 Secretarial Determination’’).1 The conditions in the uranium markets, and might lose its confidential character due
2015 Determination covers transfers to the domestic uranium mining, to the passage of time; and (7) why
contractors for cleanup services at the conversion and enrichment industries? disclosure of the information would be
Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant of (2) What market effects and industry contrary to the public interest.
up to 2,000 metric tons of natural consequences could DOE expect from
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 12,
uranium equivalent (MTU) contained in continued transfers at annual rates 2016.
natural uranium hexafluoride in comparable to the transfers described in
Raymond Furstenau,
calendar year 2015, as well as transfers the 2015 Secretarial Determination?
(3) Would transfers at a lower annual Associate Principal Deputy Assistant
of up to 1,600 MTU per calendar year Secretary, Office of Nuclear Energy.
contained in natural uranium rate or a higher annual rate significantly
change these effects, and if so, how? [FR Doc. 2016–17024 Filed 7–18–16; 8:45 am]
hexafluoride in calendar year 2016 and
thereafter. The 2015 Secretarial (4) Are there any anticipated changes BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
Determination also covers an amount of in these markets that may significantly
LEU equivalent to up to 500 MTU of change how DOE transfers affect the
domestic uranium industries? DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
natural uranium per calendar year in
Although comment is particularly [FE Docket No. 15–190–LNG]
calendar year 2015 and thereafter,
welcome on the issues discussed above,
transferred to contractors for down-
DOE also requests comments on other Rio Grande LNG, LLC; Application for
blending highly-enriched uranium to
topics that commenters consider Long-Term, Multi-Contract
LEU.
significant in preparing for a potential Authorization To Export Liquefied
DOE is preparing for a new Secretarial
new Secretarial Determination. Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade
Determination that would cover further
transfers of uranium for cleanup III. Submission of Comments Agreement Nations
services at the Portsmouth Gaseous DOE invites all interested parties to AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.
Diffusion Plant and for down-blending submit, in writing by August 18, 2016, ACTION: Notice of application.
of highly-enriched uranium to LEU comments and information on matters
upon expiration of the 2015 Secretarial addressed in this RFI. Any information SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy
Determination. DOE is initiating this that may be confidential and exempt by (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE)
process by publishing this RFI seeking law from public disclosure should be gives notice of receipt of an application,
information on the uranium markets submitted as described in section IV. filed on December 23, 2015, amended
and domestic uranium industries. DOE Confidential Business Information. After on June 7, 2016 (Application), by Rio
will evaluate comments received in the close of the comment period, DOE Grande LNG, LLC (Rio Grande LNG).
response to this RFI, along with other will continue collecting data, Rio Grande LNG requests long-term,
information and analysis, to determine conducting analyses, and reviewing the multi-contract authorization to export
whether its future transfers would have public comments, as needed. domestically produced liquefied natural
an adverse material impact on the gas (LNG) in a volume equivalent to
domestic uranium mining, conversion, IV. Confidential Business Information approximately 1,318 billion cubic feet
or enrichment industry. Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any (Bcf) per year of natural gas (3.61 Bcf
II. Issues on Which DOE Seeks person submitting information he or she per day). Rio Grande LNG seeks to
believes to be confidential and exempt export the LNG by vessel from its
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Comment and Information
by law from public disclosure should proposed natural gas liquefaction and
This RFI seeks information from submit via email, postal mail, or hand LNG export terminal to be located in
interested parties on the uranium delivery/courier two well-marked Cameron County, Texas, along the north
1 Excess Uranium Management: Secretarial
copies: One copy of the document embankment of the Brownsville Ship
Determination of No Adverse Impact on the
marked ‘‘confidential’’ including all the Channel (Rio Grande LNG Project). Rio
Domestic Uranium Mining, Conversion, and information believed to be confidential, Grande LNG requests authorization to
Enrichment Industries, 80 FR 26366 (May 7, 2015). and one copy of the document marked export this LNG to any country with
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![46920 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 138 / Tuesday, July 19, 2016 / Notices
listed in ADDRESSES. All filings must DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY esubscription.asp to be notified via
include a reference to FE Docket No. email of new filings and issuances
15–190–LNG. Please Note: If submitting Federal Energy Regulatory related to this or other pending projects.
a filing via email, please include all Commission For assistance, contact FERC Online
related documents and attachments [Project No. 8221–094] Support.
(e.g., exhibits) in the original email
For further information, contact
correspondence. Please do not include Alaska Energy Authority; Notice of Steven Sachs by telephone at 202–502–
any active hyperlinks or password Availability of Final Environmental
protection in any of the documents or 8666 or by email at Steven.Sachs@
Assessment ferc.gov.
attachments related to the filing. All
electronic filings submitted to DOE In accordance with the National Dated: July 13, 2016.
must follow these guidelines to ensure Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and Kimberly D. Bose,
that all documents are filed in a timely the Federal Energy Regulatory
Secretary.
manner. Any hardcopy filing submitted Commission’s (Commission or FERC’s)
regulations, 18 Code of Federal [FR Doc. 2016–17010 Filed 7–18–16; 8:45 am]
greater in length than 50 pages must
also include, at the time of the filing, a Regulations (CFR) Part 380 (Order No. BILLING CODE 6717–01–P
digital copy on disk of the entire 486, 52 Federal Register [FR] 47897), the
submission. Office of Energy Projects has reviewed
A decisional record on the Alaska Energy Authority’s application DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Application will be developed through for a non-capacity amendment to the
responses to this notice by parties, license for the Bradley Lake Federal Energy Regulatory
including the parties’ written comments Hydroelectric Project (FERC Project No. Commission
and replies thereto. Additional 8221), located on the south shore and
procedures will be used as necessary to Sunshine Act Meeting Notice
near the head of Kachemak Bay, 22.5
achieve a complete understanding of the miles east, northeast of the city of
The following notice of meeting is
facts and issues. If an additional Homer, Kenai Peninsula Borough,
published pursuant to section 3(a) of the
procedure is scheduled, notice will be Alaska. The project currently occupies a
provided to all parties. If no party government in the Sunshine Act (Pub.
total of 5,498 acres of federal land
requests additional procedures, a final L. 94–409), 5 U.S.C. 552b:
administered by the Bureau of Land
Opinion and Order may be issued based Management. AGENCY HOLDING MEETING: Federal
on the official record, including the Staff prepared a final environmental Energy Regulatory Commission.
Application and responses filed by assessment (EA), which analyzes the
parties pursuant to this notice, in potential environmental effects of DATE AND TIME: July 21, 2016 10:00 a.m.
accordance with 10 CFR 590.316. constructing and operating a new PLACE:Room 2C, 888 First Street NE.,
The Application is available for diversion on the West Fork of Upper Washington, DC 20426.
inspection and copying in the Office of Battle Creek that would divert water to
Regulation and International Bradley Lake and thereby increase STATUS: Open.
Engagement docket room, Room 3E– generation at the project. The final EA MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Agenda.
042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW., concludes that authorizing the
Washington, DC 20585. The docket * NOTE—Items listed on the agenda
amendment, with appropriate
room is open between the hours of 8:00 environmental protective measures, may be deleted without further notice.
a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through would not constitute a major federal CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Friday, except Federal holidays. action that would significantly affect the Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary, Telephone
The Application and any filed quality of the human environment. (202) 502–8400.
protests, motions to intervene or notice A copy of the final EA is available for
of interventions, and comments will For a recorded message listing items
review at the Commission in the Public
also be available electronically by going struck from or added to the meeting, call
Reference Room or may be viewed on
to the following DOE/FE Web address: (202) 502–8627.
the Commission’s Web site at
http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/ www.ferc.gov using the ‘‘eLibrary’’ link. This is a list of matters to be
gasregulation/index.html. Enter the docket number excluding the considered by the Commission. It does
Issued in Washington, DC, on July 13, last three digits in the docket number not include a listing of all documents
2016. field to access the document. For relevant to the items on the agenda. All
John A. Anderson, assistance, contact FERC Online public documents, however, may be
Director, Office of Regulation and Support at FERCOnlineSupport@ viewed on line at the Commission’s
International Engagement, Office of Oil and ferc.gov or toll-free at 1–866–208–3676, Web site at http://www.ferc.gov using
Natural Gas. or for TTY, 202–502–8659. the eLibrary link, or may be examined
[FR Doc. 2016–17025 Filed 7–18–16; 8:45 am] You may also register online at in the Commission’s Public Reference
BILLING CODE 6450–01–P www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/ Room.
1029TH—MEETING, REGULAR MEETING
[July 21, 2016, 10:00 a.m.]
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Item No Docket No. Company
ADMINISTRATIVE
A–1 ................. AD16–1–000 .............................................................................. Agency Administrative Matters.
A–2 ................. AD16–7–000 .............................................................................. Customer Matters, Reliability, Security and Market Operations.
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Document Created: 2016-07-19 01:10:50
Document Modified: 2016-07-19 01:10:50
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice of application. | |
| 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, September 19, | |
| Contact | Beverly Howard, 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) 586-9387; (202) 586-9578. Edward Myers, 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. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 46918 |
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