The U.S. Department of Energy has granted Energy Transfer’s Lake Charles LNG Export Company, LLC additional time to begin exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries without free trade agreements with the United States. The extension applies to the Lake Charles LNG project in Louisiana, which is expected to have a capacity of exporting up to 2.33 billion cubic feet per day of natural gas once completed.
“On the heels of President Trump’s historic trade negotiations, demand for secure, reliable American LNG is surging,” said Secretary Wright. “The Department of Energy is ensuring companies like Lake Charles LNG are prepared meet this global demand while advancing commonsense policies that support American jobs and lower energy costs here at home.”
Tala Goudarzi, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management, stated: “Granting this commencement extension furthers the Trump Administration’s priority of unleashing American Energy, a radical shift from the last administration, whose actions undermined the progress of Lake Charles LNG for years.”
Originally designed as an import terminal, Lake Charles LNG has been reconfigured for export and recently secured long-term contracts with Chevron and Kyushu Electric Power Company.
The United States remains the world’s largest producer and exporter of natural gas. There are currently eight large-scale LNG projects operating nationwide, with more under construction or expanding. Under current federal leadership, approvals have been granted for projects set to export over 13.8 billion cubic feet per day—exceeding exports from other major LNG-exporting nations.
