Federal Body Approves Louisiana LNG Export Project

On a 3-1 vote on Feb. 21, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), including Democrat Cheryl LaFleur, approved the Venture Global LNG export project at Calcasieu Pass, La. When built and operating at capacity around 2022, this project will export the equivalent of 1.6 bcf/d of natural gas. In addition to unleashing this potential – and the jobs that will come with the infrastructure development – the project’s approval carries important, and favorable, implications for the remaining 12 LNG export terminals that still are awaiting FERC consideration.

Indeed, in announcing last week’s decision, FERC Chairman Neil Chatterjee said he “anticipate[s]” the FERC now will “be able to use the framework developed in this order to evaluate the other LNG certificates that the commission is considering.” If approved and built, these 12 pending projects would generate increased natural gas production of 20 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) and would add more than 20 percent to U.S. natural gas production, precipitating significant new investment and employment in the upstream and midstream supply chain sectors including construction, manufacturing, and services.