Energy Law

DOE Authorizes LNG Re-Export for Sempra LNG

Posted on December 08, 2010
The U.S. Department of Energy has authorized Sempra LNG Marketing, LLC to re-export up to 250 Bcf of LNG from the Cameron LNG facility over a two-year period beginning on February 1, 2011. The order specifically proscribes the export of any domestically produced LNG under this permit.

DOE Applies Categorical Exclusion to Cameron LNG Export Proposal

Posted on December 07, 2010
Last week the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy determined that Cameron LNG's re-export proposal meets the requirements to be categorically excluded from further review under the National Environmental Policy Act.

FERC Issues Status Updates on Downeast, Calais LNG Projects

Posted on December 06, 2010
FERC has released project updates for the Downeast and Calais LNG projects. These brief brochures note where the agency stands in its review of the respective projects. The update for Downeast LNG is in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP07-52 and the update for Calais LNG is also available in the eLibrary under Docket No...

FERC Requests Financing, Site Control Details from Calais LNG

Posted on December 06, 2010
Noting recent project development challenges, FERC has requested that Calais LNG provide the Commission with a schedule for "planned activities in securing project financing and appropriate title, right, or interest in the project site" by December 13, 2010...

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Sabine Pass LNG Submits Draft Resource Report and Seeks to Begin NEPA Pre-Filing Process

Posted on December 03, 2010
Sabine Pass LNG has submitted its Draft Resource Report 11 and requested that FERC commence the NEPA pre-filing process to consider its proposal to construct and operate new LNG liquefaction facilities at its existing LNG terminal. Resource Report 11 outlines operational and safety concerns related to the proposal...

Weaver?s Cove Files for Rehearing on Wedge Lot Issue

Posted on November 23, 2010
Weaver's Cove LNG submitted a Request for Rehearing addressing FERC's recent findings that project developers have not satisfied thermal exclusion zones required for the project. Weaver's Cove LNG argues that FERC erred by concluding that the Commission could not determine the true owner of the so-called "Wedge Lot" parcel of property that has prevented Weaver's Cove LNG from securing control over the required exclusion zone...

U.S. Parks Service Calls EIS for Weaver's Cove LNG Project "Out of Date"

Posted on November 23, 2010
Earlier this month the U.S. Parks Service submitted comments to FERC outlining a number of environmental concerns with the planned Weaver's Cove LNG import project. The filing states that the Environmental Impact Statement prepared for the project in 2005 is "fundamentally out of date," noting that "critical factors were not evaluated in that document and that other factors have changed since that review was conducted...

FERC Requests Additional Information from Downeast, Calais LNG Projects

Posted on November 18, 2010
FERC requested additional information yesterday from Downeast LNG and Calais LNG addressing the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's recent guidance on flammable vapor-gas exclusion zones. The requests are available in FERC's eLibrary under Docket Nos...

FERC Authorizes Golden Pass LNG to Continue Cool Down Operations as Second Commissioning Cargo Arrives

Posted on November 17, 2010
Yesterday, FERC authorized Golden Pass LNG to continue cooling down its Phase 1 facilities. FERC's  letter order is available in the Commission's eLibrary under Docket No. CP04-386.Separately, NATS [subscription required] reported yesterday that a second commissioning cargo, carried aboard the Q-Flex class vessel Al Oariq, has arrived at the Sabine Pass waterway en route to the Golden Pass LNG terminal.

MARAD Determines Liberty LNG Project Application Ready for Processing

Posted on November 17, 2010
MARAD announced in today's Federal Register that it has determined that Liberty LNG's application to construct and operate a deepwater port offshore New Jersey contains the information necessary to begin processing the application. The next step is for the agency to hold public hearings on the project within 240 days and render a decision on the application within 330 days.

FERC Says Pre-Filing Process Not Required for Modifications to Sabine Pass LNG Facility

Posted on November 10, 2010
Responding to a previous inquiry from Sabine Pass LNG, L.P., FERC said yesterday that pre-filing procedures are not required for the proposed installation and operation of spare gas pipeline compressors at the Sabine Pass LNG terminal. FERC's determination is available in the Commission's eLibrary.

Massachusetts, Rhode Island Senators Encourage Colleagues to Prevent FERC Approval of Weaver's Cove LNG Project

Posted on November 05, 2010
United States Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) circulated a letter among their colleagues on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development encouraging them to prohibit FERC from using federal funds to approve the Weaver's Cove LNG project...

TORP Announces MARAD Approval of Bienville LNG Deepwater Port Project

Posted on November 02, 2010
TORP announced yesterday that the U.S. Maritime Administration (MARAD) has signed its Record of Decision approving the Bienville LNG deepwater port project.

FERC Authorizes Cameron LNG to Begin Installation of Spare Gas Compressor

Posted on November 02, 2010
Yesterday FERC authorized Cameron LNG to commence installation of its spare gas pipeline compressor. The authorization is available in the Commission's eLibrary under Docket No. CP10-165.

Minutes from Inter-Agency Meeting on Sabine Pass Liquefaction Project Now Available

Posted on November 02, 2010
Minutes from the October 14, 2010, inter-agency conference call to discuss the Sabine Pass LNG liquefaction project are now available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. PF10-24.

Liberty Natural Gas Files Application for Onshore Gas Pipeline Associated with LNG Deepwater Port Proposal

Posted on November 02, 2010
Last month Liberty Natural Gas, LLC submitted an application to FERC to construct the onshore portion of its natural gas pipeline system connecting to a proposed LNG deepwater port to be located offshore New Jersey. The application is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No...

DOE Will Review Sabine Pass LNG Export Application Under Section 3(a) of NGA

Posted on October 29, 2010
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy has decided that it will review an application submitted by Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC to export LNG to member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) under section 3(a) of the Natural Gas Act (NGA), which requires DOE to examine the complete application and determine whether the proposed LNG export scheme is in the "public interest...

USCG Issues Interim Rule Establishing Security Zones for Mooring Basins at Sabine Pass and Golden Pass LNG Terminals

Posted on October 22, 2010
This morning the U.S. Coast Guard published an interim rule in the Federal Register establishing security zones for the mooring basins at the Sabine Pass and Golden Pass terminals when LNG vessels are present. Public comments on the interim rule are due by November 22, 2010.

FERC Says Weaver's Cove Energy Has Not Established Sufficient Site Control for LNG Project

Posted on October 21, 2010
Responding to a request for rehearing filed by both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Fall River, Mass., FERC determined this morning that Weaver's Cove Energy, LLC has not established sufficient site control for its LNG import project...

Weaver's Cove Energy Submits Permitting Process Snapshot to FERC

Posted on October 18, 2010
Last Friday Weaver's Cove Energy, LLC submitted a summary of the current status of key federal and state permit applications for the company's LNG import project. The filing is available in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP04-36.

LNG Export Permit for Kenai LNG Extended Without Requirement to Meet Local Demand

Posted on October 15, 2010
The U.S. Department of Energy has approved an extension of the permit allowing LNG export from the Kenai liquefaction facility. The order granting the extension is not conditioned on meeting local natural gas demand as requested by Alaskan lawmakers, but the Alaska Journal of Commerce reports that Kenai LNG partners ConocoPhillips and Marathon Oil already have acted to ensure that local gas needs are met.

FERC Requests LNG Terminals Address PHMSA Guidance

Posted on October 11, 2010
Late last week FERC requested that a number of U.S. LNG terminals provide information addressing the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recent guidance. The information requests are available in the FERC eLibrary:AES Sparrows Point LNG, L...

FERC Approves South Berth at Cove Point LNG Facility for Service Commencement

Posted on October 08, 2010
Yesterday, FERC approved the commencement of service for the south berth at the Cove Point LNG import facility. The berth was modified as part of Dominion Cove Point LNG, LP's Pier Reinforcement Project. FERC's letter order is available in the eLibrary under Docket No...

DOE Approves Extension of Kenai LNG Export Permit

Posted on October 08, 2010
The Anchorage Daily News reports that the U.S. Department of Energy has approved a two-year extension of Kenai LNG's export permit. The authorization should be available soon on the DOE Office of Fossil Energy's website.

Sabine Pass LNG Plans Repair of BOG Compressor

Posted on October 05, 2010
Late last week Sabine Pass LNG, L.P. informed FERC that it will install four temporary boil-off gas (BOG) compressors while it repairs the facility's permanent BOG compressor. According to its filing with FERC, Sabine Pass LNG expects the temporary BOG compressors to remain in service until October 2011...

FERC to Prepare EA for Cameron LNG Re-Export Project

Posted on October 05, 2010
FERC staff has announced its intent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) analyzing the Cameron LNG re-export project. Comments from interested parties regarding the potential environmental effects of the project, reasonable alternatives, or impact mitigation measures are due by October 29, 2010...

NMFS Says Weaver's Cove LNG's Mitigation Plan for Fish Habitat "Not Appropriate"

Posted on October 01, 2010
A representative from the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service told FERC and the U.S. Coast Guard earlier this month that the plan proposed by Weaver's Cove LNG to mitigate the project's likely effects on the nearby winter flounder habitat is "simply not appropriate...

Golden Pass LNG Requests Permission to Import First Commissioning Cargo

Posted on September 23, 2010
Earlier this week Golden Pass LNG requested permission from FERC to import its first LNG cargo for commissioning of its phase one facilities. Find Golden Pass LNG's request in the FERC eLibrary under Docket No. CP04-386.

U.S. Coast Guard Issues Calais LNG LOR; Requires Mitigation Measures for Vessel Transit

Posted on September 22, 2010
Yesterday, the U.S. Coast Guard released its Letter of Recommendation (LOR) regarding the suitability of the Passamaquoddy Bay for LNG vessel traffic as proposed by Calais LNG. The Coast Guard concludes that with the proper mitigation measures, the waterway can be suitable for the kind of LNG tanker traffic envisioned...

FERC to Prepare EA for Elba Island LNG Truck Delivery Proposal

Posted on September 20, 2010
Last week FERC announced its intention to prepare an Environmental Assessment of the proposal by Southern LNG to restart its truck loading operations at the Elba Island LNG terminal.

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