81 FR 83232 - Chevron U.S.A. Inc.; Application for Blanket Authorization To Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas on a Short-Term Basis

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 224 (November 21, 2016)

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on September 22, 2016, by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron), 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 72 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a short-term or spot market basis for a two-year period commencing on December 8, 2016 or as soon thereafter as the authorization is granted. The LNG would be exported from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal owned by Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, 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. Chevron states that it has contracted for 1.0 Bcf/day of terminal capacity from Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., for an initial term of 20 years that will expire June 30, 2029, with the option to extend the term for another 20 years. Chevron states that it does not seek authorization to export domestically- produced natural gas supplies, and notes that it currently holds a blanket authorization to import LNG from various international sources by vessel in an amount up to the equivalent of 800 Bcf of natural gas. The Application was filed under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Additional details can be found in Chevron's Application, posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: http://www.energy.gov/fe/chevron-usa-inc-16-141- lng-re-export. Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, and written comments are invited.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 83232-83233]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27935]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. 16-141-LNG]


Chevron U.S.A. Inc.; Application for Blanket Authorization To 
Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas on a Short-Term Basis

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy 
(DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on 
September 22, 2016, by Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (Chevron), 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 72 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a 
short-term or spot market basis for a two-year period commencing on 
December 8, 2016 or as soon thereafter as the authorization is granted. 
The LNG would be exported from the Sabine Pass LNG Terminal owned by 
Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, 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. Chevron states that it 
has contracted for 1.0 Bcf/day of terminal capacity from Sabine Pass 
LNG, L.P., for an initial term of 20 years that will expire June 30, 
2029, with the option to extend the term for another 20 years. Chevron 
states that it does not seek authorization to export domestically-
produced natural gas supplies, and notes that it currently holds a 
blanket authorization to import LNG from various international sources 
by vessel in an amount up to the equivalent of 800 Bcf of natural gas. 
The Application was filed under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). 
Additional details can be found in Chevron's Application, posted on the 
DOE/FE Web site at: http://www.energy.gov/fe/chevron-usa-inc-16-141-lng-re-export. Protests, motions to intervene, notices of intervention, 
and written comments are invited.

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, December 21, 
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: 
Larine Moore or Kyle W. Moorman, 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) 586-9478; (202) 586-9387.

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) 
586-3397.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

DOE/FE Evaluation

    The Application will be reviewed pursuant to section 3 of the NGA, 
as amended, and the authority contained in DOE Delegation Order No. 00-
002.00N (July 11, 2013) and DOE Redelegation Order No. 00-002.04F (July 
11, 2013). In reviewing this LNG export application, DOE will consider 
domestic need for the gas, as well as any other issues determined to be 
appropriate, including whether the arrangement is consistent with DOE's 
policy of promoting competition in the marketplace by allowing 
commercial parties to freely negotiate their own trade arrangements. 
Parties that may oppose this application should comment in their 
responses on these issues.
    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4231, 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 NEPA 
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. 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. 16-141-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 listed in ADDRESSES. All 
filings must include a reference to FE Docket No. 16-141-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

[[Page 83233]]

parties pursuant to this notice, in accordance with 10 CFR 590.316.
    The Application is available for inspection and copying in the 
Division of Natural Gas Regulatory Activities 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 November 15, 2016.
John A. Anderson,
Director, Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of 
Oil and Natural Gas.
[FR Doc. 2016-27935 Filed 11-18-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P