1990-AA49 202104 Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 1990 Office of General Counsel OGC 1900 Department of Energy DOE Update of DOE's NEPA Regulations: Natural Gas Act Categorical Exclusion

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) updated certain provisions in DOE’s National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) implementing procedures regarding natural gas export authorizations issued under section 3 of the Natural Gas Act. DOE revised one categorical exclusion by deleting the reference to operation of natural gas facilities, and adding a new statement that the scope includes any "associated transportation of natural gas by marine vessel." Also, DOE removed the reference to import authorizations from the categorical exclusion.  Finally, DOE removed and reserved four classes of action that had been associated with natural gas export authorizations after determining that those classes are not needed in light of the changes described above. DOE is reviewing this rule as required by E.O. 13990, "Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis," 86 FR 7037 (January 25, 2021).

]]> Substantive, Nonsignificant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Completed Actions No No 10 CFR 1021 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. No NPRM 05/01/2020 85 FR 25340 NPRM Comment Period End 06/01/2020 Final Rule 12/04/2020 85 FR 78197 Final Action Effective 01/04/2021 No No None No No No No 1990-AA48 Related to Brian Costner Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Compliance 1990 Office of General Counsel OGC 202 586-9924 brian.costner@hq.doe.gov 1000 Independence Avenue SW, Washington DC 20585