US approves American LNG for non-FTA exports

The US Energy Department has issued a final authorization to American LNG to export domestically-produced liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries that do not have a free-trade agreement (FTA) with the US, officials announced on Monday. 

Under the agreement, American LNG is authorized to export LNG up to the equivalent of 0.008 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of natural gas for a period of 20 years from the liquefaction facility located near Medley, Florida in Miami-Dade County, Florida using approved ISO LNG containers.   

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 department finds that the proposed exports “will not be consistent with the public interest.”

The Energy Department says it conducted an extensive, careful review of the American LNG application. 

Among other factors, the department considered the economic, energy security, and environmental impacts and determined that exports at a rate of up to 0.008 Bcf/d for a period of 20 years was not inconsistent with the public interest.