FERC Expedites Environmental Review Process for LNG Export Projects

Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) last week issued environmental review schedules for 12 liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal applications as part of its streamlined review process. Industrial Info is tracking the progress of all 12 of the planned export terminals.

"Thanks to the tremendous work of our Office of Energy Projects and Office of the General Counsel, the commission has made significant strides in streamlining our regulatory processes to adapt to the increasing number, and greater complexity, of the LNG applications we have received. These process improvements have shortened projected environmental schedules in some cases by 9 to 12 months," said FERC Chairman Kevin McIntyre in an August 31 press statement. He added the streamlining efforts "will provide all LNG stakeholders additional regulatory certainty and help minimize undue administrative burdens."

FERC said it has added several LNG staff and has taken other steps to save staff time and allow staffers to focus on reviewing LNG applications. Among other things FERC and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently signed an agreement to coordinate the siting and safety review of LNG facilities. PHMSA is responsible for standards governing the location and design of LNG facilities. FERC is responsible for determining whether proposed FERC-jurisdictional LNG facilities are in the public interest.

FERC also hired an outside contractor to assist the commission staff in construction inspections, and is working with project applicants to hire third-party contractors to conduct analysis that involve non-proprietary information.

The LNG projects affected by the environmental review scheduled announced last week include:

• Jordan Cove Energy Project LP's LNG Liquefaction Plant in Coos Bay, Oregon. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Freeport LNG Development LP's (Houston, Texas) Train IV addition at its liquefaction and export facility near Freeport, Texas. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Sempra Energy's (NYSE:SRE) (San Diego, California) proposed LNG natural gas liquefaction-export project in Port Arthur, Texas. For more information, see Industrial Info's project reports on Train 1 and Train 2.
• Tellurian Incorporated's (NASDAQ:TELL) (Houston) Driftwood LNG export terminal in Lake Charles, Louisiana. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Cheniere Energy Incorporated's (NYSE:LNG) (Houston) planned third LNG production train at its LNG production and export facility in Corpus Christi, Texas. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Texas LNG Limited's (Houston) LNG liquefaction plant project in Brownsville, Texas. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Kinder Morgan Incorporated's (NYSE:KMI) (KMI) (Houston) planned LNG liquefaction and export facilities in Pascagoula, Mississippi. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• NextDecade Corporation's (NASDAQ:NEXT) (The Woodlands, Texas) Rio Grande LNG project in South Texas. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Ferus Incorporated's (Houston) Eagle LNG liquefaction plant project in Jacksonville, Florida. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Exelon Corporation's (NYSE:EXC) (Chicago, Illinois) Annova LNG Liquefaction Plant in Brownsville, Texas. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Venture Global LNG Incorporated's (Washington, D.C.) LNG production and export terminal in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.
• Exxon Mobil Corporation's (NYSE:XOM) (ExxonMobil) (Irving, Texas) planned LNG production and export terminal in Kenai, Alaska. For more information, see Industrial Info's project report.

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