83 FR 39737 - Mexico Pacific Limited LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Domestically Produced Natural Gas Through Mexico to Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries After Liquefaction to Liquefied Natural Gas
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 155 (August 10, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 155 (August 10, 2018)
| Page Range | 39737-39738 | |
| FR Document | 2018-17182 |
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2018)] [Notices] [Pages 39737-39738] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2018-17182] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY [FE Docket No. 18-70-LNG] Mexico Pacific Limited LLC; Application for Long-Term, Multi- Contract Authorization To Export Domestically Produced Natural Gas Through Mexico to Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries After Liquefaction to Liquefied Natural Gas 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 (Application), filed on June 18, 2018, by Mexico Pacific Limited LLC (MPL). MPL requests long- term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced natural gas in a volume equivalent to 12 million metric tons per annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG)--or approximately 621 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year (1.7 Bcf per day) of natural gas. Specifically, MPL seeks to export this natural gas to its proposed LNG production and storage facility to be constructed in the state of Sonora, Mexico (MPL Facility), using existing cross-border natural gas transmission pipelines. At the MPL Facility, MPL plans to liquefy the U.S.-sourced natural gas into LNG. MPL requests authorization to export the U.S.- sourced LNG by vessel from Mexico 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). Only MPL's proposed export of LNG produced from U.S.-sourced natural gas to non- FTA countries is subject to this Notice. MPL requests this non-FTA authorization for a 20-year term to commence on the earlier of the date of first export or five years from date of the requested authorization. MPL requests this authorization on its own behalf and as agent for other entities who hold title to the LNG at the time of export. MPL filed the Application under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA). Additional details can be found in MPL's Application, posted on the DOE/FE website at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/07/f53/18-70-LNGapp.pdf. 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, October 9, 2018. 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: Benjamin Nussdorf 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) 586-7970; (202) 586-9478. Cassandra Bernstein or Ronald (R.J.) Colwell, 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; (202) 586-8499. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: DOE/FE Evaluation In the Application, MPL requests authorization to export U.S.- sourced natural gas in the form of LNG from the proposed MPL Facility, to be located in Mexico, to both FTA countries and non-FTA countries. This Notice applies only to the non-FTA portion of the Application filed under section 3(a) of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a). DOE/FE will review MPL's request for a FTA export authorization separately [[Page 39738]] pursuant to section 3(c) of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(c). In reviewing this Application, DOE will consider any issues required by law or policy. DOE will consider domestic need for the natural 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. As part of this analysis, DOE will consider one or more of the following 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); \1\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\ 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); \2\ and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \2\ 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. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Macroeconomic Outcomes of Market Determined Levels of U.S. LNG Exports, conducted by NERA Economic Consulting on behalf of DOE (2018 LNG Export Study).\3\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \3\ The 2018 LNG Export Study, dated June 7, 2018, is available at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/06/f52/Macroeconomic%20LNG%20Export%20Study%202018.pdf. DOE is currently evaluating public comments received on this Study (83 FR 27314). --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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); \4\ and --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \4\ The Addendum and related documents are available at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2014/08/f18/Addendum.pdf. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas from the United States, 79 FR 32260 (June 4, 2014).\5\ --------------------------------------------------------------------------- \5\ 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 and documents 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. Interested parties 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. 18-70-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. 18-70-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. Signed in Washington, DC, on August 6, 2018. Shawn Bennett, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Oil and Natural Gas. [FR Doc. 2018-17182 Filed 8-9-18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
![Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 155 / Friday, August 10, 2018 / Notices 39737
and will allow researchers to examine grade round of data collection), (2) authorization on its own behalf and as
associations between contextual factors notify participating districts and schools agent for other entities who hold title to
and student outcomes. The study of this change in data collection the LNG at the time of export. MPL filed
focuses on student achievement in schedule, (3) discontinue the the Application under section 3 of the
mathematics and literacy along with procedures designed to oversample Natural Gas Act (NGA). Additional
measures of student socioemotional students in specific IDEA-defined details can be found in MPL’s
wellbeing and other outcomes. The disability groups, and (4) conduct MS2 Application, posted on the DOE/FE
study includes students with disabilities and OFT3 tracking activities. website at: https://www.energy.gov/
for whom descriptive information on Dated: August 7, 2018. sites/prod/files/2018/07/f53/18-70-
their outcomes, educational Kate Mullan,
LNGapp.pdf. Protests, motions to
experiences, and special education intervene, notices of intervention, and
Acting Director, Information Collection
services are being collected. In Clearance Division, Office of the Chief Privacy
written comments are invited.
preparation for the Main Study (MS), Officer, Office of Management. DATES: Protests, motions to intervene or
the data collection instruments and [FR Doc. 2018–17224 Filed 8–9–18; 8:45 am] notices of intervention, as applicable,
procedures were field tested. An Item BILLING CODE 4000–01–P requests for additional procedures, and
Validation Field Test (IVFT) was written comments are to be filed using
conducted from January through May procedures detailed in the Public
2016 to determine the psychometric DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Comment Procedures section no later
properties of assessment and survey than 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, October 9,
items and the predictive potential of [FE Docket No. 18–70–LNG] 2018.
items so that valid, reliable, and useful ADDRESSES:
assessment and survey instruments Mexico Pacific Limited LLC;
Application for Long-Term, Multi- Electronic Filing by email: fergas@
could be developed for the Main Study. hq.doe.gov.
The MGLS:2017 Operational Field Test Contract Authorization To Export
Domestically Produced Natural Gas Regular Mail: U.S. Department of
(OFT) Base Year (OFT1) data collection Energy (FE–34), Office of Regulation
was conducted from January through Through Mexico to Non-Free Trade
Agreement Countries After and International Engagement, Office of
May 2017 to test the near-final Fossil Energy, P.O. Box 44375,
instruments and recruitment and data Liquefaction to Liquefied Natural Gas
Washington, DC 20026–4375.
collection procedures and materials in AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE. Hand Delivery or Private Delivery
preparation for the MGLS:2017 Main ACTION: Notice of application. Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.): U.S.
Study Base Year (MS1). Tracking of Department of Energy (FE–34), Office of
students and associated recruitment of SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy Regulation and International
schools for the OFT First Follow-up (FE) of the Department of Energy (DOE) Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy,
(OFT2) data collection began in August gives notice of receipt of an application Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042, 1000
2017. The primary purpose of the OFT2 (Application), filed on June 18, 2018, by Independence Avenue SW.,
was to: (a) Obtain information on Mexico Pacific Limited LLC (MPL). MPL Washington, DC 20585.
recruiting, particularly for students in requests long-term, multi-contract
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
three focal IDEA-defined disability authorization to export domestically
groups: Specific learning disability, produced natural gas in a volume Benjamin Nussdorf or Larine Moore,
autism, and emotional disturbance; (b) equivalent to 12 million metric tons per U.S. Department of Energy (FE–34),
obtain a tracking sample that can be annum of liquefied natural gas (LNG)— Office of Regulation and International
used to study mobility patterns in or approximately 621 billion cubic feet Engagement, Office of Fossil Energy,
subsequent years; and (c) test protocols, (Bcf) per year (1.7 Bcf per day) of Forrestal Building, Room 3E–042, 1000
items, and administrative procedures. natural gas. Specifically, MPL seeks to Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
The MS1 district and school recruitment export this natural gas to its proposed DC 20585, (202) 586–7970; (202) 586–
began in February 2017. The MS1 and LNG production and storage facility to 9478.
OFT2 data collections took place from be constructed in the state of Sonora, Cassandra Bernstein or Ronald (R.J.)
January to July 2018. OMB approved the Mexico (MPL Facility), using existing Colwell, U.S. Department of Energy
MGLS:2017 MS1 and OFT1 data cross-border natural gas transmission (GC–76), Office of the Assistant General
collection, and MS2 tracking and pipelines. At the MPL Facility, MPL Counsel for Electricity and Fossil
recruitment in October 2017, with the plans to liquefy the U.S.-sourced natural Energy, Forrestal Building, 1000
latest change request approved in April gas into LNG. MPL requests Independence Avenue SW, Washington,
2018 (OMB #1850–0911 v.16–19). authorization to export the U.S.-sourced DC 20585, (202) 586–9793; (202) 586–
Originally, NCES planned for LNG by vessel from Mexico to any 8499.
MGLS:2017 to conduct annual main country with which the United States SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
study follow-up data collections first does not have a free trade agreement
beginning in January 2019 and next (FTA) requiring national treatment for DOE/FE Evaluation
beginning in January 2020, when most trade in natural gas, and with which In the Application, MPL requests
of the students in the sample will be in trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or authorization to export U.S.-sourced
grades 7 and 8, respectively. However, policy (non-FTA countries). Only MPL’s natural gas in the form of LNG from the
due to lower than expected response proposed export of LNG produced from proposed MPL Facility, to be located in
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
rates experienced in the sixth grade data U.S.-sourced natural gas to non-FTA Mexico, to both FTA countries and non-
collection, this request is to: (1) countries is subject to this Notice. MPL FTA countries. This Notice applies only
Schedule the MS2 data collection for requests this non-FTA authorization for to the non-FTA portion of the
January–July 2020 (when most sample a 20-year term to commence on the Application filed under section 3(a) of
students will be in the eighth grade) earlier of the date of first export or five the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a). DOE/FE
instead of January-July 2019 (thus years from date of the requested will review MPL’s request for a FTA
dropping the originally planned seventh authorization. MPL requests this export authorization separately
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![39738 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 155 / Friday, August 10, 2018 / Notices
pursuant to section 3(c) of the NGA, 15 requires DOE to give appropriate achieve a complete understanding of the
U.S.C. 717b(c). consideration to the environmental facts and issues. If an additional
In reviewing this Application, DOE effects of its proposed decisions. No procedure is scheduled, notice will be
will consider any issues required by law final decision will be issued in this provided to all parties. If no party
or policy. DOE will consider domestic proceeding until DOE has met its requests additional procedures, a final
need for the natural gas, as well as any environmental responsibilities. Opinion and Order may be issued based
other issues determined to be on the official record, including the
Public Comment Procedures
appropriate, including whether the Application and responses filed by
arrangement is consistent with DOE’s In response to this Notice, any person parties pursuant to this notice, in
policy of promoting competition in the may file a protest, comments, or a accordance with 10 CFR 590.316.
marketplace by allowing commercial motion to intervene or notice of The Application is available for
parties to freely negotiate their own intervention, as applicable. Interested inspection and copying in the Office of
trade arrangements. As part of this parties will be provided 60 days from Regulation and International
analysis, DOE will consider one or more the date of publication of this Notice in Engagement docket room, Room 3E–
of the following studies examining the which to submit comments, protests, 042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW,
cumulative impacts of exporting motions to intervene, or notices of Washington, DC 20585. The docket
domestically produced LNG: intervention. room is open between the hours of 8:00
• Effect of Increased Levels of Any person wishing to become a party a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through
Liquefied Natural Gas on U.S. Energy to the proceeding must file a motion to Friday, except Federal holidays. The
Markets, conducted by the U.S. Energy intervene or notice of intervention. The Application and any filed protests,
Information Administration upon DOE’s filing of comments or a protest with motions to intervene or notice of
request (2014 EIA LNG Export Study); 1 respect to the Application will not serve interventions, and comments will also
• The Macroeconomic Impact of to make the commenter or protestant a be available electronically by going to
Increasing U.S. LNG Exports, conducted party to the proceeding, although the following DOE/FE web address:
jointly by the Center for Energy Studies protests and comments received from http://www.fe.doe.gov/programs/
at Rice University’s Baker Institute for persons who are not parties will be gasregulation/index.html.
Public Policy and Oxford Economics, on considered in determining the
appropriate action to be taken on the Signed in Washington, DC, on August 6,
behalf of DOE (2015 LNG Export 2018.
Study); 2 and Application. All protests, comments,
motions to intervene, or notices of Shawn Bennett,
• Macroeconomic Outcomes of Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Oil and
Market Determined Levels of U.S. LNG intervention must meet the
requirements specified by the Natural Gas.
Exports, conducted by NERA Economic [FR Doc. 2018–17182 Filed 8–9–18; 8:45 am]
Consulting on behalf of DOE (2018 LNG regulations in 10 CFR part 590.
Filings may be submitted using one of BILLING CODE 6450–01–P
Export Study).3
the following methods: (1) Emailing the
Additionally, DOE will consider the
filing to fergas@hq.doe.gov, with FE
following environmental documents: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
• Addendum to Environmental Docket No. 18–70–LNG in the title line;
Review Documents Concerning Exports (2) mailing an original and three paper
copies of the filing to the Office of Energy Information Administration
of Natural Gas From the United States,
Regulation and International
79 FR 48132 (Aug. 15, 2014); 4 and Proposed Agency Information
• Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Engagement at the address listed in
Collection
ADDRESSES; or (3) hand delivering an
Perspective on Exporting Liquefied
Natural Gas from the United States, 79 original and three paper copies of the AGENCY: U.S. Energy Information
FR 32260 (June 4, 2014).5 filing to the Office of Regulation and Administration (EIA), Department of
Parties that may oppose this International Engagement at the address Energy (DOE).
Application should address these issues listed in ADDRESSES. All filings must ACTION: Notice and request for
and documents in their comments and/ include a reference to FE Docket No. comments.
or protests, as well as other issues 18–70–LNG. Please note: If submitting a
filing via email, please include all SUMMARY: EIA requests a three-year
deemed relevant to the Application. extension, with changes, to the Oil and
The National Environmental Policy related documents and attachments
(e.g., exhibits) in the original email Gas Reserves System Survey Program as
Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., required by the Paperwork Reduction
correspondence. Please do not include
1 The 2014 EIA LNG Export Study, published on any active hyperlinks or password Act of 1995. This survey system
Oct. 29, 2014, is available at: https://www.eia.gov/ protection in any of the documents or includes: Form EIA–64A, Annual
analysis/requests/fe/. attachments related to the filing. All Report of the Origin of Natural Gas
2 The 2015 LNG Export Study, dated Oct. 29,
electronic filings submitted to DOE Liquids Production; Form EIA–23L,
2015, is available at: http://energy.gov/sites/prod/ Annual Report of Domestic Oil and Gas
files/2015/12/f27/20151113_macro_impact_of_lng_
must follow these guidelines to ensure
exports_0.pdf. that all documents are filed in a timely Reserves, County Level Report; and
3 The 2018 LNG Export Study, dated June 7, 2018, manner. Any hardcopy filing submitted Form EIA–23S, Annual Survey of
is available at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/ greater in length than 50 pages must Domestic Oil and Gas Reserves,
files/2018/06/f52/Macroeconomic%20LNG also include, at the time of the filing, a Summary Level Report.
%20Export%20Study%202018.pdf. DOE is
digital copy on disk of the entire DATES: EIA must receive all comments
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES
currently evaluating public comments received on
this Study (83 FR 27314). submission. on this proposed information collection
4 The Addendum and related documents are A decisional record on the no later than October 9, 2018. If you
available at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/ Application will be developed through anticipate difficulties in submitting your
files/2014/08/f18/Addendum.pdf. responses to this notice by parties, comments by the deadline, contact the
5 The Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Report is
available at: http://energy.gov/fe/life-cycle-
including the parties’ written comments person listed in the below ADDRESSES
greenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefied- and replies thereto. Additional section of this notice as soon as
natural-gas-united-states. procedures will be used as necessary to possible.
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Document Created: 2018-08-10 01:56:05
Document Modified: 2018-08-10 01:56:05
| 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, October 9, 2018. | |
| Contact | Benjamin Nussdorf 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) 586-7970; (202) 586-9478. | |
| FR Citation | 83 FR 39737 |
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