Commonwealth Gets Conditional

LNG Allies Statement on Commonwealth LNG Authorization

WASHINGTON, February 14, 2025 (Prior to Issue)— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today authorized the first new U.S. LNG facility since August 2020 (which was during the first Trump administration). The authorization approved today is for the Commonwealth LNG project located on the west bank of the Calcasieu Ship Channel in Louisiana. Fred H. Hutchison, CEO of LNG Allies, had this statement:

“President Trump and Energy Secretary Wright have heeded the call we made during the transition to quickly restore “regular order” to the LNG licensing process. Commonwealth LNG is a project that was ripe for decision by DOE in November 2022, but the Biden administration refused to act for more than two years, despite repeated pleas by the project sponsor and supporters, including our association.”

“In less than a month, the Trump administration has acted decisively, showing the world that the United States remains committed to energy security leadership. We look forward to watching the Kimmeridge team carry the Commonwealth LNG project to a final investment decision and begin construction of a world-class facility that will help bring the environmental, economic, and geostrategic benefits of U.S. natural gas to America’s allies and trading partners. Congratulations all around!”

NOTE: Today’s authorization is “conditional.” The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is preparing a supplemental environmental impact statement for the Commonwealth project. That process is expected to conclude within a few weeks. After FERC acts, DOE is expected to quickly remove the “condition,” at which point the authorization to Commonwealth to export LNG to non-Free Trade Agreement nations will become final.