[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2903-2904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00850]


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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

[Docket No. 22-166-LNG]


Southern LNG Company, L.L.C.; Application for Blanket 
Authorization To Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas to 
Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries on a Short-Term Basis

AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, Department of 
Energy.

ACTION: Notice of application.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) 
(formerly the Office of Fossil Energy) of the Department of Energy 
(DOE) gives notice (Notice) of receipt of an application (Application), 
filed on December 16, 2022, by Southern LNG Company, L.L.C. (Southern 
LNG). Southern LNG requests blanket authorization to export liquefied 
natural gas (LNG) previously imported into the United States by vessel 
from foreign sources in a volume equivalent to 182.5 billion cubic feet 
(Bcf) of natural gas on a cumulative basis over a two-year period. 
Southern LNG filed the Application under the Natural Gas Act (NGA).

DATES: Protests, motions to intervene or notices of intervention, as 
applicable, requests for additional procedures, and written comments 
are to be filed electronically as detailed in the Public Comment 
Procedures section no later than 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, February 17, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: 
    Electronic Filing by email: [email protected].
    Although DOE has routinely accepted public comment submissions 
through a variety of mechanisms, including postal mail and hand 
delivery/courier, DOE has found it necessary to make temporary 
modifications to the comment submission process in light of the ongoing 
Covid-19 pandemic. DOE is currently accepting only electronic 
submissions at this time. If a commenter finds that this change poses 
an undue hardship, please contact Office of Resource Sustainability 
staff at (202) 586-4749 or (202) 586-7893 to discuss the need for 
alternative arrangements. Once the Covid-19 pandemic health emergency 
is resolved, DOE anticipates resuming all of its regular options for 
public comment submission, including postal mail and hand delivery/
courier.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jennifer Wade or Peri Ulrey, U.S. Department of Energy (FE-34), Office 
of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement, Office of Resource 
Sustainability, Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, 
Forrestal Building, Room 3E-042, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, 
Washington, DC 20585, (202) 586-4749 or (202) 586-7893, 
[email protected] or [email protected]
Cassandra Bernstein, U.S. Department of Energy (GC-76), Office of the 
Assistant General Counsel for Energy Delivery and Resilience, Forrestal 
Building, Room 6D-033, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 
20585, (202) 586-9793, [email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Southern LNG requests a short-term blanket 
authorization to export LNG that has been previously imported into the 
United States from foreign sources for a two-year period commencing on 
April 1, 2023. Southern LNG seeks to export the LNG from its existing 
LNG import terminal known as the Elba Island Terminal (or SLNG 
Terminal), located in Chatham County, Georgia, 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. This includes both countries with 
which the United States has entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) 
requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas (FTA countries) 
and all other countries (non-FTA countries). This Notice applies only 
to the portion of the Application requesting authority to export the 
previously imported LNG to non-FTA countries pursuant to section 3(a) 
of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a). Southern LNG states that its existing 
blanket re-export authorization, set forth in DOE/FE Order No. 4687 
(Docket No. 20-99-LNG), is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2023. 
Southern LNG is not seeking authorization to export domestically 
produced natural gas or LNG.
    Southern LNG requests this authorization on its own behalf and as 
agent for other parties that hold title to the LNG at the point of 
export. Additional details can be found in Southern LNG's Application, 
posted on the DOE website at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-12/22-166-LNG.pdf.

DOE Evaluation

    In reviewing Southern LNG's 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. 
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. Interested parties will be provided 30 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, including the service requirements.
    As noted, DOE is only accepting electronic submissions at this 
time. Please email the filing to [email protected]. All filings must 
include a reference to ``Docket No. 22-166-LNG'' or ``Southern LNG 
Company, L.L.C. Application'' in the title line.
    Please Note: 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

[[Page 2904]]

must follow these guidelines to ensure that all documents are filed in 
a timely manner.
    The Application and any filed protests, motions to intervene, 
notices of interventions, and comments will also be available 
electronically by going to the following DOE Web address: 
www.energy.gov/fecm/regulation.
    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.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on January 11, 2023.
Amy Sweeney,
Director, Office of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement, Office of 
Resource Sustainability.
[FR Doc. 2023-00850 Filed 1-17-23; 8:45 am]
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