Trump administration approves exports from major LNG project

The Trump administration is authorizing a major gas facility to export the fuel abroad — clearing a major hurdle in getting the controversial project approved.

The Energy Department approved a permit for the Calcasieu Pass 2 (CP2) gas export project to sell gas to countries with which the U.S. does not have a free trade agreement. 

Often, liquified natural gas (LNG) export projects wait on such approval before construction. 

“The benefits of expanding U.S. LNG exports have never been more clear, and I am proud to be taking action to support the American people and our allies abroad with more affordable, reliable, secure American energy,” Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a written statement. 

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are cutting the red tape around projects like CP2, unleashing our energy potential and ensuring [the] U.S. can continue to meet growing energy demand for decades to come,” he said. 

The approval comes as the Trump administration has vowed to “unleash” U.S. energy — and especially fossil fuels. 

Trump and Republicans criticized a Biden administration move to pause approvals of new gas exports while it reassessed the climate and economic impacts of shipping gas abroad. 

The CP2 authorization marks the fifth gas-related approval since Trump took office. CP2 is the highest-profile gas project, and the largest, approved by the Trump administration so far.

While the department’s approval marks a major step forward for the project, CP2 is also still awaiting action from the independent Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). 

FERC previously approved the project, but later agreed to take a second look amid challenges from environmental groups. 

Those groups criticized the Trump administration’s move on Wednesday.

“Greenlighting this terminal is simply selling out the American public to further boost the profits of fossil fuel companies,” said Gillian Giannetti, senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council, in a written statement. 

“LNG extraction and export floods frontline communities with dangerous pollution, raises U.S. energy costs, and further locks in our dependence on dirty fossil fuels,” Giannetti said. 

Venture Global, the company behind the CP2 Project, praised the move.

“CP2 LNG is a vital project for the U.S. economy, balance of trade, and global energy security,” said Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel in a written statement. “This will enable us to provide our allies around the world with American LNG in just a few years and for decades to come.”