The nation’s top energy regulator on Friday moved to expedite approvals for 12 natural gas export terminals, which are a key component of Trump’s energy dominance and trade agenda.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission took steps to speed up the environmental review process for a dozen liquefied natural gas export terminal applications pending at the agency.
“These efforts have helped to ensure that FERC will be equipped to process applications in a timely and expedient manner without compromising its statutory obligation to ensure safety and environmental protection,” the agency said.
Natural gas exports are the cornerstone of President Trump’s “energy dominance” and trade agenda, which calls for creating new markets for America’s energy products abroad. The nation recently became a net exporter of natural gas, meaning it exports more natural gas than it imports, thanks to the shale energy boom.
“There is widespread acknowledgment that the United States is poised to play an important role in serving worldwide LNG demand, and its ability to serve that demand quickly will serve the nation’s national security and economic interests,” said FERC chairman Kevin McIntyre. “Because sufficient LNG export capacity is a necessary gateway to the global gas markets, the FERC’s efficient processing of LNG facility applications will put the U.S. in a more competitive position.”
There are currently only two LNG export terminals operating in the country, with the first East Coast facility opening last month just north of Washington in Calvert County, Md. Lawmakers have been leaning on FERC and the Department of Energy to find ways to speed up the review process.
Cutting the “red tape” in the LNG export process is the European Union’s main request of Trump in a trade deal that calls on Europe to increase its LNG imports. The European Union agreed to increase its imports of the fuel in exchange for normalizing trade relations with the United States.
FERC approves the LNG permits and then sends them to Perry to determine if the exports are in the U.S. national interest, which can sometimes limit exports to European countries. The EU wants Trump to fix this process to allow natural gas to flow to Europe with ease.
“As FERC is the lead siting agency for LNG projects, our responsibility over LNG applications is to assess the environmental effects, safety, and engineering of LNG facilities in a timely manner in accordance with our statutory obligations,” McIntyre explained. “Our recent streamlining efforts will provide all LNG stakeholders additional regulatory certainty and help minimize undue administrative burdens.”
