DOE Notice of Coal Capability Self-Certification Filing
Summary
The Department of Energy (DOE) has published a notice of filing for a coal capability self-certification submitted by CPV Basin Ranch, LLC. This filing is required under the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 for new baseload electric generating powerplants intending to use natural gas or petroleum as their primary fuel source.
What changed
The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a notice regarding a coal capability self-certification filing by CPV Basin Ranch, LLC, owner and operator of the CPV Basin Ranch Energy Center. This filing, dated August 26, 2025, and published on March 6, 2026, is made pursuant to Section 201(d) of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (FUA) and DOE regulations. The facility, with a design capacity of 1,350 megawatts, plans to use natural gas as its primary fuel and is located in Pecos, Texas, with an in-service date of December 2028.
This notice serves to inform the public of CPV Basin Ranch's certification that its new baseload electric generating powerplant has the capability to use coal or another alternate fuel, as required by FUA. The certification establishes compliance with FUA Section 201(a) as of the filing date. Regulated entities, particularly new baseload electric generating powerplants intending to use natural gas or petroleum, should be aware of these self-certification requirements under FUA and DOE regulations.
What to do next
- Review FUA Section 201(d) and 10 CFR 501.61 for self-certification requirements for new baseload electric generating powerplants.
- Ensure any new baseload electric generating powerplant intending to use natural gas or petroleum as its primary fuel source has filed the required coal capability self-certification with the DOE prior to construction or operation.
Source document (simplified)
Content
ACTION:
Notice of filing.
SUMMARY:
On August 26, 2025, CPV Basin Ranch, LLC (CPV Basin Ranch), as owner and operator of the CPV Basin Ranch Energy Center, a
new baseload electric generating powerplant,
submitted a coal capability self-certification to the Department of Energy (DOE). The Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act
of 1978 (FUA), as amended, and regulations thereunder require DOE to publish a notice of filing of self-certification in the
Federal Register
.
ADDRESSES:
Copies of coal capability self-certification filings are available for public inspection, upon request, by contacting the
Office of Electricity by electronic mail to Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Marina Fennel at (240) 702-6156, Electricity.Exports@hq.doe.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
On August 26, 2025, CPV Basin Ranch, as owner and operator of a new baseload electric generating powerplant, submitted a coal
capability self-certification to the DOE pursuant to § 201(d) of the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (FUA),
as amended (42 U.S.C. 8311(d)), and DOE regulations in 10 CFR 501.61(a). The FUA and regulations thereunder require DOE to
publish a notice of filing of self-certification in the
Federal Register
. See 42 U.S.C. 8311(d)(1); 10 CFR 501.61(c). Section 201(a) of the FUA provides that “no new base load electric powerplant may
be constructed or operated without the capability to use coal or another alternate fuel as a primary energy source.” 42 U.S.C.
8311(a). Pursuant to section 201(d) of the FUA, in order to meet the requirement of coal capability, the owner or operator
of such a facility proposing to use natural gas or petroleum as its primary energy source shall certify to the Secretary of
Energy (Secretary) prior to construction, or prior to operation as a base load electric powerplant, that such powerplant has
the capability to use coal or another alternate fuel. See 42 U.S.C. 8311(d)(1). Such certification establishes compliance with FUA section 201(a) as of the date it is filed with the
Secretary. Id.; 10 CFR 501.61(b). The following owner of a proposed new baseload electric generating powerplant has filed a self-certification
of coal-capability with DOE pursuant to FUA section 201(d) and in accordance with DOE regulations at 10 CFR 501.61:
Owner: CPV Basin Ranch, LLC
Design Capacity: Seasonal average capacity of 1,350 megawatts
Fuel To Be Used: Natural gas
Plant Location: 535 Private Road 177, Pecos, TX 79772
In-Service Date: December 2028
Signing Authority
This document of the Department of Energy was signed on February 6. 2026, by Catherine Jereza, Assistant Secretary, Office
of Electricity, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of Energy. That document with the original signature and
date is maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance with requirements of the Office of the Federal
Register, the undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to sign and submit the document in electronic
format for publication, as an official document of the Department of Energy. This administrative process in no way alters
the legal effect of this document upon publication in the
Federal Register
.
Signed in Washington, DC on March 6, 2026. Treena V. Garrett, Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy. [FR Doc. 2026-04642 Filed 3-9-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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