Cove Point LNG Requests DOE Export Authorization, 70 Bcf

Content

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 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): fergas@hq.doe.gov.

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, 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:

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 https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2026-03/2026%20Cove%20Point%20Short%20Term%20Re-Export%20Application%203-16-26.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 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

  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. 26-30-LNG” or “Cove Point LNG, LP Application” in the title line. Filings must be submitted in English to be considered. (2)

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 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

Footnotes

(1) 10 CFR 590.303.

(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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