U.S. Department of Energy Approves Four LNG Export Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy announced the approvals of four proposed LNG export facilities along the Gulf Coast in Texas authorizing the export of domestically produced LNG. The four projects are: Annova LNG, Rio Grande LNG, Texas LNG, and Corpus Christi LNG’s Stage III. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the four LNG projects in November.
“The Trump Administration recognizes the importance and increasing role U.S. natural gas has in the global energy landscape,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette. “The export capacity of these four projects alone is enough LNG to supply over half of Europe’s LNG import demand. With today’s authorizations, we are paving the way for more U.S. natural gas exports to bring energy security and prosperity to our allies around the world.”
“Approval of these four LNG export authorizations in Texas is another step by the Trump Administration to ensure our country’s energy and national security,” said Under Secretary of Energy Mark W. Menezes. “New LNG authorizations mean new jobs and economic growth in the U.S., as well as the potential for new market opportunities abroad. Ongoing progress to streamline energy infrastructure and project approvals is a hallmark of this Administration.”
As GAIN has previously pointed out, these projects bring significant economic investment to Brownsville, Corpus Christi, and the state of Texas. The four projects would bring a combined $45 billion in investment. The projects will support thousands of jobs, millions in tax revenue for local and state use, and create new economic opportunities.
The U.S. is now in its fourth consecutive year as a net exporter of natural gas and has exported to 37 countries and is on track for its export capacity to double in the next 5 years. The proposed LNG projects will further bolster the United States’ role as a top energy producer and exporter – strengthening the American economy and national security in the process. U.S. energy is key to stabilizing the global energy market and supporting our allies across the globe, especially in light of recent unrest in the Middle East. Providing our allies with American-produced LNG limits their reliance on volatile and unpredictable regimes for energy sources as well.
