DOE Reverses Biden LNG Pause, Restores Trump Energy Dominance Agenda
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has ended the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) pause, returning to regular order following direction given by President Donald J. Trump to “unleash American Energy Dominance.” The Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is directed to resume consideration of pending applications to export American liquefied natural gas (LNG) to countries without a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States in accordance with the Natural Gas Act. Proper consideration of LNG export applications is required by law and shall proceed accordingly.
According to DOE, Last month, the Department published a multi-volume analysis of selected issues concerning LNG exports and established February 18, 2025, as the deadline for public comments of the study. To ensure such public interest determinations receive appropriate stakeholder input, the Department is extending the comment period from February 18, 2025 to March 20, 2025.
Notwithstanding the goal of expeditious determinations, the importance of appropriate administrative records justifies an extension of the period for public comment.
Acting DOE Secretary Ingrid Kolb has directed the FECM to return to regular order and resume consideration of all applications. This process should occur simultaneously with the multi-agency NEPA review process to streamline and reduce inefficiencies in the regulatory process.
