US FERC issues environmental schedules for 12 LNG export projects

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued environmental schedules for 12 liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal applications pending before the commission.

The schedules reflect FERC’s efforts in recent months to streamline its review process for LNG project applications, the regulator said in a statement.

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 statement said.

“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,” FERC chairman Kevin McIntyre said.

“There is widespread acknowledgement 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. 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 US in a more competitive position,” he said.

The LNG projects affected by these issuances of regulatory schedules are: Freeport Train 4, Port Arthur, Driftwood LNG, Corpus Christi, Texas LNG, Gulf LNG, Rio Grande LNG, Jacksonville Eagle, Annova LNG, Plaquemines, Jordan Cove, and Alaska LNG.