Notice2026-06836
Cove Point LNG, LP; Application for Blanket Authorization To Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Countries on a Short-Term Basis
Primary source
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Published
April 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Energy Department
Abstract
The Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) (formerly 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 March 16, 2026, by Cove Point LNG, LP (Cove Point). Cove Point 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 70 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a cumulative basis over a two-year period. Cove Point filed the Application under the Natural Gas Act (NGA).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 68 (Thursday, April 9, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17957-17958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-06836]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
[Docket No. 26-30-LNG]
Cove Point LNG, LP; Application for Blanket Authorization To
Export Previously Imported Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade
Agreement Countries on a Short-Term Basis
AGENCY: Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Department of
Energy.
ACTION: Notice of application.
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SUMMARY: The Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) (formerly
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 March 16, 2026, by Cove Point LNG,
LP (Cove Point). Cove Point 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 70 billion
cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas on a cumulative basis over a two-year
period. Cove Point 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 as detailed in the Public Comment Procedures section no
later than 4:30 p.m., Eastern time, May 11, 2026.
ADDRESSES:
Electronic Filing by Email (Strongly Encouraged):
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0d6b687f6a6c7e4d657c23696268236a627b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2848790858391a28a93cc868d87cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>.
Postal Mail, Hand Delivery, or Private Delivery Services (e.g.,
FedEx, UPS, etc.): U.S. Department of Energy (EX-31), Office of Global
Energy Security, Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Forrestal
Building, Room 3E-056, 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC
20585.
Due to potential delays in DOE's receipt and processing of mail
sent through the U.S. Postal Service, we encourage respondents to
submit filings electronically to ensure timely receipt.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Wade or Peri Ulrey, U.S. Department of Energy (EX-31), Office
of Global Energy Security, Office of Strategic Resources, Hydrocarbons
and Geothermal Energy Office, 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#68020d0606010e0d1a461f090c0d280019460c070d460f071e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="244e414a4a4d4241560a53454041644c550a404b410a434b52">[email protected]</span></a> or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#61110413084f140d1304182109104f050e044f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="245441564d0a514856415d644c550a404b410a434b52">[email protected]</span></a>.
Ajoke Agboola, 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, (240) 805-2147, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#99f8f3f6f2fcb7f8fefbf6f6f5f8d9f1e8b7fdf6fcb7fef6ef"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4e2f2421252b602f292c2121222f0e263f602a212b60292138">[email protected]</span></a>
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cove Point 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
July 8, 2026. Cove Point states that it will export the LNG from the
existing Cove Point LNG Terminal located in Calvert County, Maryland,
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 LNG to non-FTA countries pursuant to
section 3(a) of the NGA, 15 U.S.C. 717b(a). Cove Point states that its
existing blanket re-export authorization, set forth in DOE/FECM Order
No. 5142 (Docket No. 24-30-LNG), is scheduled to expire on July 7,
2026, and therefore Cove Point requests the term of the new
authorization to commence on the earlier of July 8, 2026, or the date
of issuance of the new authorization. Cove Point further states that it
does not seek authorization to export domestically produced natural gas
or LNG.
Cove Point requests this authorization on its own behalf and as
agent for other parties that hold title to the LNG at the time of
export. Additional details can be found in Cove Point's Application,
posted on the DOE website at <a href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/2026%20Cove%20Point%20Short%20Term%20Re-Export%20Application%203-16-26.pdf">https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/2026%20Cove%20Point%20Short%20Term%20Re-Export%20Application%203-16-26.pdf</a>.
DOE Evaluation
In reviewing the Application, DOE will consider any issues required
by law or policy under NGA section 3(a), DOE's regulations, and any
other documents deemed appropriate. Parties that may oppose the
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 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, addressing the Application. Interested parties will be
provided 30 days from the date of publication of this Notice in the
Federal Register in which to submit comments, protests, motions to
intervene, or notices of intervention.
Any person wishing to become a party to this proceeding evaluating
the Application must file a motion to intervene or notice of
intervention.\1\ The
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filing of comments or a protest with respect to the Application will
not serve to make the commenter or protestant a party to this
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 DOE's regulations in 10 CFR part 590, including the
service requirements.
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\1\ 10 CFR 590.303.
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Filings may be submitted using one of the following methods:
(1) Submitting the filing electronically at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#34525146535547745c451a505b511a535b42"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="82e4e7f0e5e3f1c2eaf3ace6ede7ace5edf4">[email protected]</span></a>;
(2) Mailing the filing to the Office of Global Energy Security at
the address listed in the ADDRESSES section; or
(3) Hand delivering the filing to the Office of Global Energy
Security at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section.
For administrative efficiency, DOE prefers filings to be filed
electronically. All filings must include a reference to ``Docket No.
26-30-LNG'' or ``Cove Point LNG, LP Application'' in the title line.
Filings must be submitted in English to be considered.\2\
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\2\ Executive Order 14224 of March 1, 2025, Designating English
as the Official Language of the United States, 90 FR 11363 (Mar. 6,
2025).
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For electronic submissions: 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.
The Application, and any filed protests, motions to intervene,
notices of intervention, and comments will be available electronically
on the DOE website at <a href="http://www.energy.gov/hgeo/regulation">www.energy.gov/hgeo/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 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 April 6, 2026.
Amy Sweeney,
Director, Office of Global Energy Security, Office of Strategic
Resources.
[FR Doc. 2026-06836 Filed 4-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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