API calls for faster approval of LNG exports

WASHINGTON, June 19, 2014 ─ API welcomed today’s approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) of a facility to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Cameron Parish, Louisiana and urged Congress to accelerate the process for future applicants.

“After years of delay, the Cameron Liquefaction Project is only the second LNG export facility to receive final FERC approval along with its conditional approval from the Department of Energy,” said API Upstream Group Director Erik Milito. “This is great news for the workers of Louisiana and for the U.S. economy, but it shows how slowly the current process is working to unlock the economic opportunities created by the U.S. energy revolution. Members of both the House and Senate are working to expedite the process, and the sooner we act, the sooner that America can cut its trade debt, create thousands of new jobs, and harness its international power as the world’s top producer of natural gas.”

API is the only national trade association representing all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, which supports 9.8 million U.S. jobs and 8 percent of the U.S. economy. API’s more than 600 members include large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms. They provide most of the nation’s energy and are backed by a growing grassroots movement of more than 20 million Americans.