On Monday, the US Energy Department approved the motion to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Oregon. The decision is said to ease US sales of LNG to Asian markets or countries where the US does not have a free trade agreement.
Under the approval, the first US West Coast LNG project, Jordan Cove, is authorized to export up to 1 bcfpd of LNG from a proposed terminal in Oregon. This would mean Canada’s Pembina Pipeline Corp. would source the LNG from both Canada and the US.
The approval secures long-term authorization that could spur confidence among the Jordan Cove project’s backers as it has been facing opposition from the state and environmental activists.
Previously, in 2014, the Energy Department had conditionally enabled exports from the proposed project. Also, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission had authorized the siting, construction, and operation of the project in March 2020 amid the objections from the state’s governor.
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
