an EEA-wide financial services framework, including rules for firms engaging in investment services and activities in connection with certain financial instruments in the EEA. Firms engaging in such activities must be authorized unless an exemption applies. We are eligible to trade on our own account in commodity derivatives as a result of the “ancillary activity” exemption under MiFID II. To avail ourselves of this exemption, amongst other things, we must be able to demonstrate, on the basis of a methodology set out in certain delegated MiFID II text, that our activities in commodity derivatives are ancillary to the main business of our group. Provided we meet the requirements, we must notify the UK regulator that we are availing ourselves of this exemption on an annual basis. If, in the future, we are no longer able to meet the requirements of the “ancillary activity” exemption, and no other exemption is available to us, we would be required to become authorized as an investment firm under MiFID II. This may result in us being subject to the regulatory capital requirements under the EU’s Capital Requirements Directive IV. MAR is intended to update and strengthen the existing EU market abuse framework and applies to all financial instruments listed or traded on EU trading venues as well as other over-the-counter (“OTC”) financial instruments priced on, or impacting, the trading venue contract. Generally, MAR applies to entities trading on, or in a manner that impacts EU markets. MAR contains a number of “insider dealing” and “market manipulation” (including “attempted manipulation”) based offences. Under MAR, any person professionally arranging or executing transactions in financial instruments is required to establish and maintain effective arrangements, systems and procedures to detect and report suspicious orders and transactions. In addition to the various EU/EEA rules described above, other UK-specific laws, such as the UK’s Financial Services and Markets Act of 200 (“FSMA”) and Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) Order 2001 (“RAO”), also apply to our trading activities. Any violation of the foregoing laws and regulations could result in investigations, and possible fine and penalties, and in some scenarios, criminal offenses. The UK withdrew from the EU (“Brexit”) on January 31, 2020, and the withdrawal may have an impact on the applicability of the current EU Regulations and Directives that govern our various trading activities. The precise impacts will depend on the negotiations that will occur during the transition period, which is currently scheduled to end on December 31, 2020, as well as other factors that may or may not be addressed during the negotiations. We anticipate that impacts could include a possible requirement to register in the EU for certain activities, the possible reclassification of products traded on UK exchanges for EU purposes and products traded on EU exchanges for UK purposes and possible impacts on our treatment related to various regulatory statuses (e.g., clearing threshold classifications and other safe harbors and exemptions). During this transition period, the UK will continue to be subject to EU Regulations and Rules, with the objective being to provide as smooth a transition as possible for businesses. Until additional clarity surrounding Brexit is obtained, other impacts pertaining to our trading activities could occur. Our LNG terminals are subject to various federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and natural resources. These environmental laws and regulations require significant expenditures for compliance, can affect the cost and output of operations and may impose substantial penalties for non-compliance and substantial liabilities for pollution. Many of these laws and regulations, such as those noted below, restrict or prohibit impacts to the environment or the types, quantities and concentration of substances that can be released into the environment and can lead to substantial administrative, civil and criminal fines and penalties for non-compliance. Our LNG terminals are subject to the federal CAA and comparable state and local laws. We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures over the next several years for air pollution control equipment in connection with maintaining or obtaining permits and approvals addressing air emission-related issues. We do not believe, however, that our operations, or the construction and operations of our liquefaction facilities, will be materially and adversely affected by any such requirements. 16 Clean Air Act (“CAA”) Environmental Regulation Brexit UK-Specific Rules Market Abuse Regulation (“MAR”)