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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).