Notice2022-21699
NFE Altamira FLNG, S. de R.L. de C.V.; Application for Long-Term, Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Domestically Produced Natural Gas to Mexico and To Re-Export Liquefied Natural Gas From Mexico to Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries
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Published
October 6, 2022
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) of the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice (Notice) of receipt of an application (Application), filed on September 9, 2022, by NFE Altamira FLNG, S. de R.L. de C.V. (NFE Altamira). NFE Altamira requests long- term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced natural gas by pipeline to Mexico in a volume up to 158 billion cubic feet (Bcf) per year (Bcf/yr), and to re-export 145 Bcf/yr of this natural gas as liquefied natural gas (LNG). NFE Altamira seeks to re- export this LNG by vessel from a proposed floating liquefaction and export terminal project, the Altamira FLNG Project (Project), to be located off the coast of Altamira Tamaulipas, Mexico, in the Gulf of Mexico. NFE Altamira filed the Application under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act (NGA).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 193 (Thursday, October 6, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60667-60669]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21699]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. 22-110-LNG]
NFE Altamira FLNG, S. de R.L. de C.V.; Application for Long-Term,
Multi-Contract Authorization To Export Domestically Produced Natural
Gas to Mexico and To Re-Export Liquefied Natural Gas From Mexico to
Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries
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) of
the Department of Energy (DOE) gives notice (Notice) of receipt of an
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application (Application), filed on September 9, 2022, by NFE Altamira
FLNG, S. de R.L. de C.V. (NFE Altamira). NFE Altamira requests long-
term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced
natural gas by pipeline to Mexico in a volume up to 158 billion cubic
feet (Bcf) per year (Bcf/yr), and to re-export 145 Bcf/yr of this
natural gas as liquefied natural gas (LNG). NFE Altamira seeks to re-
export this LNG by vessel from a proposed floating liquefaction and
export terminal project, the Altamira FLNG Project (Project), to be
located off the coast of Altamira Tamaulipas, Mexico, in the Gulf of
Mexico. NFE Altamira filed the Application under section 3 of the
Natural Gas Act (NGA).
DATES: Protests, motions to intervene, or notices of intervention, as
applicable, 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, December 5, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Electronic Filing by email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3c5a594e5b5d4f7c544d12585359125b534a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="62040710050311220a134c060d074c050d14">[email protected]</span></a>.
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,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ea808f8484838c8f98c49d8b8e8faa829bc48e858fc48d859c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cda7a8a3a3a4aba8bfe3baaca9a88da5bce3a9a2a8e3aaa2bb">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#28584d5a41065d445a4d51684059064c474d064f475e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e191849388cf948d938498a18990cf858e84cf868e97">[email protected]</span></a>
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, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1d7e7c6e6e7c73796f7c337f786f736e697874735d756c33797278337a726b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e281839191838c869083cc8087908c9196878b8ca28a93cc868d87cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NFE Altamira requests long-term, multi-
contract authorization to export domestically produced natural gas to
Mexico via the border-crossing facilities of Valley Crossing Pipeline,
LLC to the proposed Altamira FLNG Project. NFE Altamira states that the
Project has been proposed by its affiliate, Mexico FLNG S. de R.L. de
C.V., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of New Fortress Energy Inc.
(NFE Altamira's parent company).
NFE Altamira seeks to export this natural gas for both consumption
in Mexico and to convert the natural gas, as well as U.S.-sourced
volumes for which it acquires title in Mexico, to LNG for re-export to:
(i) any nation with which the United States has entered into a free
trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural
gas (FTA nations), and (ii) any other nation with which trade is not
prohibited by U.S. law or policy (non-FTA nations). This Notice applies
only to the portion of the Application requesting authority to re-
export of LNG produced from U.S.-sourced natural gas to non-FTA
countries pursuant to section 3(a) of the NGA.\1\ DOE will review NFE
Altamira's request for a FTA export authorization separately pursuant
to NGA section 3(c).\2\
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\1\ 15 U.S.C. 717b(a).
\2\ 15 U.S.C. 717b(c).
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NFE Altamira seeks the authorization on its own behalf and as agent
for other entities that will hold title to the natural gas or LNG at
the point of export or re-export, respectively. NFE Altamira requests
the authorization for a term to commence on the date of first export
following the commencement of commercial operation of the Project, and
to extend through December 31, 2050.
Additional details can be found in NFE Altamira's Application,
posted on the DOE website at: <a href="http://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/22-110-LNG.pdf">www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/22-110-LNG.pdf</a>.
DOE Evaluation
In reviewing the 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 the study entitled, Macroeconomic Outcomes of Market
Determined Levels of U.S. LNG Exports (2018 LNG Export Study),\3\ and
DOE's response to public comments received on that Study.\4\
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\3\ See NERA Economic Consulting, Macroeconomic Outcomes of
Market Determined Levels of U.S. LNG Exports (June 7, 2018),
available at: <a href="http://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/06/f52/Macroeconomic%20LNG%20Export%20Study%202018.pdf">www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2018/06/f52/Macroeconomic%20LNG%20Export%20Study%202018.pdf</a>.
\4\ U.S. Dep't of Energy, Study on Macroeconomic Outcomes of LNG
Exports: Response to Comments Received on Study; Notice of Response
to Comments, 83 FR 67251 (Dec. 28, 2018).
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Additionally, DOE will consider the following environmental
documents:
<bullet> Addendum to Environmental Review Documents Concerning
Exports of Natural Gas From the United States, 79 FR 48132 (Aug. 15,
2014); \5\
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\5\ The Addendum and related documents are available at: <a href="https://energy.gov/fe/draft-addendum-environmental-review-documents-concerning-exports-natural-gas-united-states">https://energy.gov/fe/draft-addendum-environmental-review-documents-concerning-exports-natural-gas-united-states</a>.
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<bullet> Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting
Liquefied Natural Gas From the United States, 79 FR 32260 (June 4,
2014); \6\ and
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\6\ The 2014 Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Report is available at:
<a href="https://energy.gov/fe/life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefied-natural-gas-united-states">https://energy.gov/fe/life-cycle-greenhouse-gas-perspective-exporting-liquefied-natural-gas-united-states</a>.
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<bullet> Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective on Exporting
Liquefied Natural Gas From the United States: 2019 Update, 84 FR 49278
(Sept. 19, 2019), and DOE's response to public comments received on
that study.\7\
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\7\ U.S. Dep't of Energy, Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Perspective
on Exporting Liquefied Natural Gas From the United States: 2019
Update--Response to Comments, 85 FR 72 (Jan. 2, 2020). The 2019
Update and related documents are available at: <a href="https://fossil.energy.gov/app/docketindex/docket/index/21">https://fossil.energy.gov/app/docketindex/docket/index/21</a>.
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Parties that may oppose this Application should address these
issues and documents in their comments and 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
[[Page 60669]]
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 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5e383b2c393f2d1e362f703a313b70393128"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="503635223731231038217e343f357e373f26">[email protected]</span></a>. All filings must
include a reference to ``Docket No. 22-110-LNG'' or ``NFE Altamira FLNG
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 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.
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:
<a href="http://www.energy.gov/fecm/regulation">www.energy.gov/fecm/regulation</a>.
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 September 30, 2022.
Amy Sweeney,
Director, Office of Regulation, Analysis, and Engagement, Office of
Resource Sustainability.
[FR Doc. 2022-21699 Filed 10-5-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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