Notice

Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC; CCL Midscale 8-9, LLC; and Cheniere Marketing, LLC; Application for Long-Term Authorization To Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations

A Notice by the Energy Department on 03/23/2026

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• Public Inspection Published Document: 2026-05625 (91 FR 13836) Document Headings ###### Department of Energy

1. [Docket No. 26-22-LNG]

AGENCY:

Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, Department of Energy.

ACTION:

Notice of application.

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 by Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC, CCL Midscale 8-9, LLC, and Cheniere Marketing, LLC (collectively, CCL) on March 2, 2026. CCL requests long-term, multi-contract authorization to export domestically produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) in a volume equivalent to approximately 251 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of natural gas per year (Bcf/yr) from the CCL Midscale Complex located at the existing Corpus Christi LNG terminal (CCL Terminal) in San Patricio and Nueces Counties, Texas. CCL filed the Application under 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, May 22, 2026.

ADDRESSES:

Electronic Filing by email (Strongly encouraged): fergas@hq.doe.gov.

Postal Mail, Hand Delivery, or Private Delivery Services (e.g., FedEx, UPS, etc.) U.S. Department of Energy (EX-34), 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-34), 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, jennifer.wade@hq.doe.gov or peri.ulrey@hq.doe.gov.

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, ajoke.agboola@hq.doe.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

CCL requests authorization to export additional domestically produced LNG in a volume equivalent to 251 Bcf/yr of natural gas, by ocean-going vessel from the CCL Midscale Complex [1 ] at the CCL Terminal (Midscale Uprate Project). CCL states that the requested increase is based upon more precise knowledge and insight concerning the potential production capacity of the Midscale Trains gained during the final design and construction of the Stage 3 Project, as well as detailed production data gathered through commissioning. [2 ] CCL seeks to export this LNG on a non-additive basis to: (i) any country with which the United States has entered into a free trade agreement (FTA) requiring national treatment for trade in natural gas (FTA countries), and (ii) any other country with which trade is not prohibited by U.S. law or policy (non-FTA countries). This Notice applies only to the portion of the Application requesting authority to export LNG to non-FTA countries pursuant to section 3(a) of the NGA. [3 ] DOE will review CCL's request for authorization to export LNG to FTA countries separately pursuant to NGA section 3(c). [4 ]

CCL seeks this authorization on its own behalf and as agent for other entities that will hold title to the LNG at the time of export. CCL requests the authorization for a term commencing on the date of first commercial export, and to extend through December 31, 2050, plus a three-year Make-Up Period extending through December 31, 2053, consistent with recent DOE practice. CCL states that these refinements and optimizations will not require “significant or major modifications of existing facilities, additional ( printed page 13837) construction of new facilities or additional environmental impacts.” [5 ]

Additional details can be found in CCL's Application, posted on the DOE website at https://www.energy.gov/​sites/​default/​files/​2026-03/​CCL%20Midscale%20Uprate%20DOE%20Application.pdf.

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 60 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. [6 ] The 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.

Filings may be submitted using one of the following methods:

(1) Submitting the filing electronically at fergas@hq.doe.gov;

(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. 26-22-LNG” or “Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC et al. Application” in the title line. Filings must be submitted in English to be considered. [7 ]

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 www.energy.gov/​hgeo/​regulation.

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 March 18, 2026.

Amy Sweeney,

Director, Office of Global Energy Security, Office of Strategic Resources.

Footnotes

1.

                     The CCL Midscale Complex includes the “Stage 3 Project,” consisting of midscale natural gas liquefaction trains (Midscale Trains) 1-7, the “Trains 8 & 9 Project,” consisting of Midscale Trains 8 and 9, and supporting infrastructure for each project, as approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. 
                    See 
                     Corpus Christi Liquefaction, LLC *et.al.,* Application for Long-Term Authorization to Export Liquefied Natural Gas to Free Trade Agreement Nations and Non-Free Trade Agreement Nations, Docket No. 26-22-LNG, at 1 n.4 (Mar. 2, 2026) [hereinafter App.].

Back to Citation 2.

                     App. at 3.

Back to Citation 3. 15 U.S.C. 717b(a).

Back to Citation 4. 15 U.S.C. 717b(c).

Back to Citation 5.

                     App. at 4.

Back to Citation 6. 10 CFR 590.303.

Back to Citation 7. Executive Order 14224 of March 1, 2025, Designating English as the Official Language of the United States, 90 FR 11363 (Mar. 6, 2025).

Back to Citation [FR Doc. 2026-05625 Filed 3-20-26; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6450-01-P

Published Document: 2026-05625 (91 FR 13836)