The Export Import Bank of the U.S. seeks comment on proposed information collection forms, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. is opening a 25-day comment period on an application for final commitment for a long-term loan or financial guarantee in excess of $100, it said in a Federal Register notice scheduled for Jan. 8. The loan is to support the export of U.S.-manufactured commercial aircraft to Luxembourg for global cargo services. The principal supplier is the Boeing Company. Comments are due by Feb. 2 to WWW.REGULATIONS.GOV.

Dominion Resources cleared another hurdle to launching liquified natural gas exports from Cove Point, Md., Friday, when Prince George's County Circuit Judge James Salmon said its agreement with environmental agencies allows it to build liquefaction facilities inside the plant's fenced area and export liquefied natural gas. The Sierra Club had said an earlier court settlement had given it oversight over the LNG exports, but the judge disagreed.

The Bureau of Industry Security plans a partially open meeting of the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee Jan. 23-24 in San Diego. In the Jan. 23 public session, ISTAC will hear working group reports and industry presentations. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first served basis. To join the conference, submit inquiries to Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@bis.doc.gov by Jan. 16.

The Bureau of Industry Security scheduled a partially open meeting of the Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (SITAC) Jan. 29 in Washington, D.C. In the public session, SITAC will hear remarks from BIS management, hear industry presentations, and discuss new business. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first served basis. To join the conference, submit inquiries to Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@bis.doc.gov no later than Jan. 22.

The Census Bureau updated the Schedule B and Harmonized Tariff Schedules in the Automated Export System, effective immediately, to accept changes to the 2013 codes, it said. AES will accept shipments with outdated 2012 codes during a 30-day grace period beyond the expiration date of Dec. 31, Census said. Reporting an outdated code after the 30-day grace period will result in a fatal error.

The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. said it will finance a $1.8 billion direct loan to BG Energy Holdings to support U.S. exports for a natural gas liquefaction project in Queensland, Australia. This is the Bank's second LNG project in Australia, and it will support an estimated 9,200 American jobs, Ex-Im said. The loan is for goods and services related to the construction of the Queensland Curtis LNG Plant Trains.

International Veneer Co. will pay $12,500 to settle allegations that it violated the Export Administration Regulations by failing to report boycott requests, according to a Bureau of Industry and Security settlement agreement. International Veneer is charged with failing to report boycott requests on seven occasions between 2007 and 2010 in relation to exports it made to Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, letters of credit for the transactions required documents that said the carrying vessels were allowed to enter Lebanese and UAE ports. If International Veneer fails to pay the penalty in 30 days, BIS may suspend its export privileges for one year. The company neither admitted nor denied its guilt.

The International Trade Administration said it will lead a June 2013 trade mission to Russia for exporters of healthcare products. The mission will include one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential partners, market briefings, and networking events, it said. Up to 20 companies will be selected to participate. The ITA will begin to review applications Dec. 28. Applications received after March 15 will only be considered if space permits, the ITA said.

The State Department said it's amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to list Afghanistan as a major non-NATO ally, and to make available the use of two additional defense export license exemptions for proscribed destinations, effective on publication in the Federal Register, scheduled for Dec. 31. The action implements President Barack Obama's July 6 decision to designate Afghanistan as a major non-NATO ally for purposes of the Arms Export Control Act.