Web filing available for gas importers

Department of Energy

Energy Department officials expect a new online application system to improve the authorization process for natural gas imports and exports.

The e-Filing system, an e-government initiative under the President's Management Agenda, allows importers and exporters to request federal authorization online. Previously, filing was only available through standard mail or by fax.

"We are launching this new Internet-based system at a time when it is becoming increasingly important that the United States expedite its regulatory processes for trading in global gas markets," Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said. "Natural gas imports, especially, are growing and by improving digital communications between government and the natural gas industry, we can streamline the approval process for getting these gas supplies into our market and to customers."

Initially, the e-Filing system will focus on short-term authorizations to trade with Mexico and Canada or for importing liquefied natural gas, which accounts for more than 90 percent of authorizations issued. The DOE processes more than 100 of these applications each year, according to agency officials.

The agency also plans to make applications for longer-term import authorizations and for the export of liquefied natural gas available in the online system.

The new e-Filing system is available on the department's Fossil Energy Web site at www.fossil.energy.gov. Users can access the link to e-filing forms by clicking on "Natural Gas Regulation."