The Cabinet Council of the Republic of Panama has approved modifications to tolls on the Panama Canal following a recommendation from the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) board of directors (see Daily GPI, Jan. 9). Among the tolls taking effect April 1 are those for liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers. Tolls for LNG and liquefied petroleum gas vessels, will be based on cubic meters, and tankers will be measured and priced on Panama Canal universal measurement system tons and metric tons of cargo. “The ACP deeply values the relationships we share with our customers,” said Panama Canal CEO Quijano. “As we prepare for the completion of the Canal’s expansion program, we look forward to continuing to provide the same superior reliability, service and value to our customers, as well as now accommodate longer, wider ships and the new LNG segment.”

FERC has scheduled the environmental review of the proposed Magnolia LNG LLC liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal in Lake Charles, LA (see Daily GPI, March 18), as well as the related Kinder Morgan Louisiana Pipeline LLC Lake Charles Expansion Project, which would deliver natural gas to the terminal (see Daily GPI, Jan. 29, 2014). The projects would create a firm north-to-south on the existing pipeline system that would deliver gas to the terminal and create liquefaction facilities for LNG export, domestic marine distribution and trucking distribution to LNG refueling stations in Louisiana and surrounding states, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said in its notice [CP14-347,CP14-511]. The projects’ final environmental impact statement is expected to be issued Nov. 16 with a final decision on the projects expected Feb. 14.

Rice Energy Inc. has finalized a lease for 150,000 square feet of office space in a large three-building complex under construction in Canonsburg, PA. The company is expected to move in to the office next year. The new building is located next door to its current offices. The move will allow the company to eventually expand from about 330 employees to 700. Canonsburg, about 22 miles south of Pittsburgh, is home to several other Appalachian exploration and production companies, including Noble Energy Inc., Range Resources Corp. and Consol Energy Inc.