DOE Notice of Amended Coal Capability Self-Certification Filing

Regs.gov: Department of Energy

Published February 6th, 2026

Detected March 15th, 2026

Summary

The Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice regarding an amended coal capability self-certification filing by Rayburn Energy Station LLC. This filing reflects the change in ownership of the baseload electric generating powerplant, formerly known as Panda Sherman, and is required under the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978.

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What changed

The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a notice of filing for an amended coal capability self-certification submitted by Rayburn Energy Station LLC (RES). This amendment reflects RES's acquisition of the Rayburn Energy Station, previously known as Panda Sherman, and ensures compliance with the Powerplant and Industrial Fuel Use Act of 1978 (FUA). The original self-certification from Panda Sherman Power, LLC, filed in 2014, was not previously noticed in the Federal Register due to a clerical error. This notice serves to officially record both the original certification and the amendment.

This action is primarily administrative, updating the ownership records for the powerplant. Regulated entities, specifically energy companies operating baseload powerplants, should be aware of the FUA requirements for coal capability self-certification. While this specific filing does not impose new obligations or deadlines on other entities, it highlights the ongoing regulatory oversight of powerplant fuel capabilities. The DOE is responsible for publishing these notices to ensure public awareness and compliance with FUA provisions.

Source document (simplified)

Content

ACTION:

Notice of filing.

SUMMARY:

On June 28, 2023, Rayburn Energy Station LLC (RES), as the new owner of the Rayburn Energy Station, a baseload electric generating
powerplant formerly known as Panda Sherman, submitted an amended 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 June 28, 2023, RES, as the new owner of an existing baseload electric generating powerplant, submitted an amended coal
capability self-certification to the DOE pursuant to section 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 amendment application reflects RES' asset
purchase and sale agreement of the Rayburn Energy Station (formerly known as the Panda Sherman Project) from Panda Sherman
Power, LLC (Panda Sherman). 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). Panda Sherman's self-certification was submitted to DOE on July 16, 2014, but was not noticed in the
Federal Register
due to clerical error. Certification Notice-263 serves as the notice of filing for Panda Sherman's original self-certification
submission and RES' self-certification amendment.

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:

Previous Owner: Panda Sherman Power, LLC.

New Owner: Rayburn Energy Station LLC.

Previous Operator: PPG—O&M Panda Sherman Power, LLC.

New Operator: NAES Corporation.

Change Effective Date: June 21, 2023.

Design Capacity: 758 megawatts.

Fuel to be Used: Natural gas.

Plant Location: 510 Progress Drive, Sherman, TX 75092.

In-Service Date: July 30, 2014.

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. 2026-04640 Filed 3-9-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P