Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Wednesday backed a new liquefied natural gas deal between Poland and the San Diego-based energy firm Sempra, saying the agreement will advance the Trump administration’s goal of energy diversity in Europe.
The deal is part of Trump’s push to move Europe off of Russian natural gas supplies in favor of U.S. and other countries’ shipments. The administration opposes Germany’s agreement to build the Nord Stream II pipeline from Russia in pursuing its plan to promote U.S. LNG.
“As demonstrated with the launch of the Strategic Dialogue on Energy in Poland last month, the Trump administration remains committed to increasing energy diversity, advancing energy security, strengthening national security, and creating a future of prosperity and opportunity in Poland and throughout the region,” Perry said in announcing the deal with Sempra.
The Trump administration presided over a separate deal between Houston-based Cheniere Energy and Poland last month to import U.S. liquefied natural gas for 20 years. The deal with Sempra will increase Poland’s commitment to purchasing even more U.S. LNG once the company’s export terminal in Port Arthur, Texas is completed. Today’s agreement alone will supply 15 percent of Poland’s energy needs per year.
Sempra explained that Wednesday’s deal with the Polish Oil and Gas Company helps validate its plan to build two LNG export terminals, one in Texas and another in Louisiana.
Currently, there are only three LNG export facilities operating in the United States – Cheniere’s Sabine Pass and Corpus Christi terminals in the Gulf, and Dominion’s at Cove Point in Maryland, the first ever on the East Coast.
“Last month, we began the commissioning phase of our Cameron LNG liquefaction-export facility in Louisiana,” said Jeffrey Martin, chairman and CEO of Sempra Energy. “This agreement, along with the great progress on Cameron LNG, continue to validate our growth strategy as we advance our vision to become North America’s premier energy infrastructure company.”
The Cameron LNG plant is expected to begin shipping LNG to customers in 2019, the company said. The Port Arthur plant is on track to begin construction once the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission finishes its environmental review next month.
