82 FR 17646 - Freeport LNG Development, L.P.; Application for Blanket Authorization To Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas on a Short-Term Basis

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 69 (April 12, 2017)

The Office of Fossil Energy (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice of receipt of an application (Application), filed on February 15, 2017, by Freeport LNG Development, L.P. (Freeport LNG), 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 24 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a short-term or spot market basis for a two-year period commencing on July 19, 2017.\1\ Freeport LNG seeks authorization to export the LNG from the Freeport LNG Terminal owned by Freeport LNG and located on Quintana Island, Texas, 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. Freeport LNG states that it does not seek authorization to export any domestically produced natural gas or LNG. DOE/FE notes that Freeport LNG currently holds a blanket authorization to import LNG from various international sources by vessel in an amount up to the equivalent of 30 Bcf of natural gas.\2\ Freeport LNG is requesting this authorization both on its own behalf and as agent for other parties 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 Freeport LNG's Application, posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: http://energy.gov/fe/ downloads/freeport-lng-development-lp-fe-dkt-no-17-23-lng. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17646-17647]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-07337]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[FE Docket No. 17-23-LNG]


Freeport LNG Development, L.P.; 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 
February 15, 2017, by Freeport LNG Development, L.P. (Freeport LNG), 
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 24 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural 
gas on a short-term or spot market basis for a two-year period 
commencing on July 19, 2017.\1\ Freeport LNG seeks authorization to 
export the LNG from the Freeport LNG Terminal owned by Freeport LNG and 
located on Quintana Island, Texas, 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. Freeport LNG states that it does not 
seek authorization to export any domestically produced natural gas or 
LNG. DOE/FE notes that Freeport LNG currently holds a blanket 
authorization to import LNG from various international sources by 
vessel in an amount up to the equivalent of 30 Bcf of natural gas.\2\ 
Freeport LNG is requesting this authorization both on its own behalf 
and as agent for other parties 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 Freeport LNG's 
Application, posted on the DOE/FE Web site at: http://energy.gov/fe/downloads/freeport-lng-development-lp-fe-dkt-no-17-23-lng.
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    \1\ Freeport LNG's current blanket authorization to export 
previously imported LNG, granted in DOE/FE Order No. 3717 on 
September 15, 2015, extends through July 18, 2017 (FE Docket No. 15-
103-LNG).
    \2\ Freeport LNG Development, L.P., DOE/FE Order No. 3777, FE 
Docket No. 16-02-LNG, Order Granting Blanket Authorization to Import 
Liquefied Natural Gas from Various International Sources by Vessel 
(Jan. 19, 2016).
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    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, May 12, 2017.

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) 586-9478.

R.J. Colwell, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the Assistant 
General Counsel for Electricity and Fossil Energy, Forrestal Building, 
Room 6D-033, 1000 Independence Ave. SW., Washington, DC 20585, (202) 
586-8499.

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. 00-006.02 (Nov. 
17, 2014). 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. 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 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. 17-23-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

[[Page 17647]]

include a reference to FE Docket No. 17-23-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 April 3, 2017.
John A. Anderson,
Director, Office of Regulation and International Engagement, Office of 
Oil and Natural Gas.
[FR Doc. 2017-07337 Filed 4-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6450-01-P