With new procedures in place to streamline permits for liquefied natural gas export terminals, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in late August slated 12 LNG terminals for environmental review. The agency has taken new steps, including hiring independent construction inspection contractors, that will speed the reviews by nine to 12 months, according to FERC.
Despite the measures, however, contracting hiccups and a possible Chinese tariff on LNG could delay the construction of up to 20 of the multibillion-dollar superchilled natural gas facilities, including the 12 under review.