US approves Jordan Cove LNG exports in Oregon

The US Energy Department has conditionally authorized the Jordan Cove Energy Project to export domestically produced LNG to countries that do not have a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the US, the agency announced this week.

The exports will originate from the Jordan Cove LNG terminal in Coos Bay, Oregon. 

The Jordan Cove application was next in the order of precedence after the Energy Department conditionally authorized the proposed Cameron LNG facility, according to department officials.

Subject to environmental review and final regulatory approval, the facility is conditionally authorized to export at a rate of up to the equivalent of 0.8 Bcf/d of natural gas, for a period of 20 years.

Federal law generally requires approval of natural gas exports to countries that have an FTA with the US. For countries that do not have an FTA with the US, the Natural Gas Act directs the Department of Energy to grant export authorizations unless the Ddpartment finds that the proposed exports “will not be consistent with the public interest.”

“Given the situation in Ukraine, this license sends a positive signal to our allies and to energy markets that the United States is ready to join the growing global gas trade,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said. “While this license moves us in the right direction, I would be strongly opposed to any ‘pause for further study,’ as some have proposed.”