The federal government on Tuesday granted the first license for exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) since a federal court blocked its temporary moratorium on new LNG export licenses in July.
“NFE is now able to freely supply cheaper and cleaner natural gas to underserved markets across the world and further our goal of accelerating the world’s energy transition,” NFE’s CEO Wes Edens said.
The DOE did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The federal government in January halted the approval of new licenses for exporting LNG to countries that are not trade partners of the United States.
DOE Urged to ‘Follow Through’ on Commitment
Some advocacy groups have expressed disappointment over the DOE’s decision to grant a new LNG export license after the federal court lifted the pause.“The Department of Energy’s decision to approve the New Fortress LNG Terminal is deeply concerning,” Rosenbluth stated.
Rosenbluth called on the government to “follow through” on the commitment it made in recognition “that its current guidance doesn’t adequately consider the risks LNG exports pose to the climate, environment, and public health and safety.”
Mitch Jones, managing director of policy and litigation at Food & Water Watch, described the DOE’s decision to grant approvals while the federal government’s public interest review of LNG exports was still ongoing as “ridiculous.”
Concerns Over LNG Export Freeze
More than 150 Republican lawmakers had previously pushed back against the moratorium, arguing that the pause was “economically and strategically dangerous and unnecessary.”“The LNG Export Ban implicates an issue of profound national importance,” a coalition of 16 states wrote in the complaint. “LNG exports account for billions of dollars to the economy and thousands of jobs. They also raise serious questions of national security.”
The coalition of states also argued that the temporary moratorium violated the Administrative Procedure Act, the Congressional Review Act, and the U.S. Constitution.
Louisiana was joined by Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming in the legal action.