GAIN Coalition Applauds Establishment of New FERC LNG Division and Houston Office

Yesterday, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Neil Chaterjee announced that his agency has launched the Division of LNG Facility Review & Inspection, a new section of FERC specifically tasked with reviewing liquefied natural gas export applications. Chairman Chaterjee stated that the new division stemmed from a growing need to handle the increasing “number and complexity” of LNG export applications.

As part of that effort, FERC will open a regional office in Houston, where eight FERC employees will bolster the regulator’s efforts in Washington to review permit applications for critical energy infrastructure projects.

This news comes amid reports that FERC Commissioner Cheryl LaFleur will step down in the coming weeks, leaving the agency with only 3 commissioners to review infrastructure permit applications.

Following is a statement that you can attribute to me, Craig Stevens, spokesman for the GAIN Coalition:

“The GAIN Coalition applauds Chairman Chaterjee for directing his agency’s attention to this pressing issue. As the United States expands its ability to produce domestic energy resources like liquefied natural gas, infrastructure required to transport those products – both at home and abroad – must be reviewed, permitted, and constructed in a timely manner. LNG export terminals represent a powerful economic engine for growth, and as such, deserve the expedient attention of our nation’s regulatory agencies. We encourage FERC to continue its efforts on this front.”