29-05-2025
Energy Department gives first final LNG approval under Trump
The Energy Department on Thursday authorized liquefied natural gas exports to major markets from the planned second phase of the Port Arthur LNG project in Texas.
Why it matters: These approvals are vital for companies and investors to move ahead with building multi-billion dollar export terminals.
It's the first final approval under President Trump, though his DOE has provided conditional authorizations in several cases, including Venture Global's big planned CP2 project in Louisiana.
Trump officials have reversed a late Biden-era pause on new authorizations.
"Port Arthur LNG Phase II marks a significant expansion of the first phase already under construction — turning more of the liquid gold beneath our feet into energy security for the American people," Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in a statement on Sempra Energy's project.
Phase I of Sempra Energy's project is slated to begin exports in 2027, DOE said.
Catch up quick: U.S. LNG growth continued under President Biden and the country became the world's largest exporter. But late in his term DOE issued the pause.
The bottom line: Trump 2.0 is very keen on LNG.
