Despite the Department of Energy's recent pause on approvals, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is set to continue its reviews of natural gas export terminals.
The FERC's decision to proceed with evaluations signifies its operational independence, even as the DOE reassesses its stance on liquid natural gas (LNG) export projects.
Environmental groups and industry observers are closely monitoring FERC's actions, especially in light of recent environmental and energy security concerns.
The DOE's pause, focusing on a comprehensive review of market, economic, national security, and environmental factors, contrasts with FERC's ongoing project assessments.
Key quote:
"FERC is an independent agency that is supposed to rise above politics."
— Neil Chatterjee, former FERC Chair during the Trump administration.
Why this matters:
FERC's decision to proceed with LNG project reviews amidst the DOE's pause reflects the complexity of national energy policy, directly impacting both environmental health and the broader national energy strategy.
Leaders in North Port St. Joe had big plans for tourism, real estate, even a Black history museum. Then they found out, almost by accident, that elected officials had been pushing the LNG terminal for years without telling them.
The facility would take shale gas from Pennsylvania, compress it to LNG, then truck or train it across communities in Pennsylvania to be loaded onto ships at a proposed facility in Gibbstown, New Jersey, before being shipped for overseas markets.
